Do you wonder what supermarkets do when there is a long-term power outage? How will they keep the frozen foods all fresh and frozen throughout this incident? Well, read on to find out about that. See Do Supermarkets have backup generators?
To prevent getting cut in a bad power outage situation, most big supermarkets and retail stores have backup generators on standby. These generators are not only used to power up the Supermarket but also to ensure that frozen foods and other products that need to be preserved with electricity are saved from getting spoiled.
What kind of Generators do Supermarkets use?
Powering up a supermarket or grocery store cannot just be done using a small generator; a lot of equipment, devices, and machinery are used in the Supermarket so a high-powered generator has to be used in the Supermarket. An example of a backup generator that can be used in a supermarket is the Generic automatic standby generator. You can read more about it here.
What happens to Supermarkets that don’t have backup Generators?
Not all Supermarkets can afford to own a backup generator, especially when considering the low record of a power outage, and the high cost of purchasing and maintaining generators. It becomes quite unnecessary for most grocery stores or supermarkets to put a backup generator on their agenda. However, when there is a power outage, supermarkets that do not have backup generators apply some procedures. The procedures are;
- Once there is a light out in the supermarket, the first thing the supermarket would work on is to ensure the safety of shoppers and as well as security of the goods in the store; shoppers would be encouraged to leave the store and come back when the power issue has been fixed. An employee would be posted at the exit to ensure shoppers do not steal goods.
- Cold and frozen foods like meat, cheese, etc. can still be stored in the refrigerator for some hours. Ice bags can also be placed on the frozen items to ensure they receive enough cold.
- Next is to ensure freezers and cooler doors are left closed to allow them to keep their coolness. Caution tapes will be used to seal them and ensure that no one opens them.
- The supermarket will have to apply the USDA guideline of throwing away hot food items within 30 minutes of a power outage. Food items that have been prepared and can no longer be stored due to lack of electricity would be thrown away because they can pose a health risk to shoppers who go for them at that point.
- A lot of large retail stores often have warehouses that are not too far from the store. These warehouses, however, contain refrigerated and frozen trucks used for delivering cold and frozen foods to customers. In a situation where the power outrage is lasting more than expected, these trucks can be used to store cold items.
Why Backup Generators are considered a must-have for Supermarkets?
Security
In a situation where the power goes off in a supermarket, it can get dark and the CCTV footage might not be able to capture what is going on. Anyone can decide to steal goods without being caught in the process, or worse, robbed by the cashier. With a backup generator put in place, the store can be powered up to enable employees to monitor whatever shoppers are into at that point. Although a generator might not be able to power up a supermarket fully, it can still be able to light up some parts.
Prevents Loss
Once there is a power outage in a supermarket, perishable items such as cold foods, fruits, and hot foods become the number one cause of worry as they can get spoiled if the outage is not fixed on time. The cost of throwing away spoiled foods is a huge one. So it is important to have a standby generator that can help in saving the store from food wastage.
Prevents the Store from Shutting Down
Some power outages might come unexpectedly and even last for hours. An example of such a power outage is one caused by a rainstorm. Such can only be fixed when the storm is over and it’s safe to go outside. With a generator on standby, the store can continue operating.
Protects the Reputation of the Store
Imagine you are shopping at a store and suddenly there is a power outage leaving everything dark, then you slowly start moving to the cashier, in the process, you mistakenly fall. Even though it was dark and other shoppers might have not seen your face. You will not forget the incident in a hurry. This incident can drive shoppers away from stores that fail to apply a plan B in their management policy.
Conclusion
When looking at how costly it is to manage and maintain a supermarket, one would agree that getting a backup generator is not one of the best things to do. However, when the risk involved in not having a backup generator is considered, it becomes not only necessary but also important to have one in the supermarket as one cannot always ascertain if there would be a power outage and when the outage would end.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a backup generator power up the refrigerator?
Yes, a backup generator can power up a refrigerator. It depends on the capacity of the generator used.
- How does the supermarket install the backup generator?
After the purchase of the generator, an electrician will be hired to help do some wiring and supervise the installation process.
