Need a reason to say "no."

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charlie b

charlie b

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I am designing a new building that will have its own generator in a basement room. Via separate ATS devices, the generator will supply a few emergency loads, and whatever optional standby loads can be added without exceeding its capacity. A nearby building has a small, existing generator that serves optional standby loads in one and only one of its rooms. The nearby building will not be affected by the new project, but the existing small generator is in the way. I have proposed a couple possible places to which it may be relocated. The landscape architect doesn?t like either place, and I can understand the concern (poor esthetics: it doesn?t look good in either location).

I have been asked to consider two options. One is to supply the existing building?s OSB loads from my new building?s generator. The other is to move the existing generator into the same room that will house my new building?s generator. I don?t like either of these ideas. But I can?t of a code-related reason to say that it can?t be done. Any ideas?
 
I can only think of a few reasons to get rid of the existing generator. Neater, cleaner install, consolidation, less permitable emissions, and less maintenance.

Rick
 
If "I don't like it" is a good enough reason for a landscape architect, why isn't it a good enough reason when you say it? :D

Safety concerns with feeding one building's loads from a generator in another building?

Cost prohibitive to move and reinstall the existing generator?

The new generator isn't big enough to handle both buildings?

Surely you can think of something. Throw in some really big words for good effect and it will be more convincing. :D:roll:

I have found that non-technical people love the phrase 'imaginary power.' :) I use that instead of 'reactive power' anytime I'm around someone that might be disturbed by it. :wink:
 
More work = more money and not just for you ,.. Charlie you have a chance to stimulate the economy here ,.. for God's sake ,..man,. move the generator!:smile:
 
How are the buildings related? Are they owned by the same company? Could they ever be owned by different people? I surely wouldn?t my emergency power to be dependent on somebody else?s generator maintenance schedule!
 
I see no problem moving the generator or supplying the other building with a feed from your new generator, I would just keep the transfer switch for the other building in that building, with a disconnect for the genny's feeder grouped with that buildings service disconnect. Should not be any code issues with this as it is akin to having another POCO feed to the building. A T-switch that breaks the neutral will have to be used though on both buildings. My main concern though would be any undesirable circulating currents on the equipment ground since both building grounding electrode systems would be tied together via this ground.
 
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. This is a single owner (university campus), but the buildings (my new one and the existing one) have no relationship to each other, other than that they will someday be neighbors. Neither the landscape architect nor myself has sufficient authority to make a decision on behalf of the university. I was just looking for some ammunition.
 
I have a project comming up that is kinda simular, It's one building though but has nine services. We are to install two one meg generators, one for three services, and one for six services. The building is presently occupied by one tennant, but they want to be able split out portions of the building if in the future it becomes necessacary. So we have to maintain the present POCO metering system. We are having to install nine transfer switches.
 
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