Reporting and Initial Response
Typically, an electrical outage in a specific building or a portion of campus will be reported by the affected occupant(s) to Facilities Services or Campus Security. Facilities Services may also become aware of outages during and after normal working hours via the campus monitoring system.
The initial response will be by building engineering staff and/or an electrician. If the outage is relatively minor, e.g. a tripped circuit breaker, the responding electrician will take immediate action to restore power. Both the client and Facilities Services need to be notified of action taken and requirement for follow up repairs. This condition usually will not require Emergency Manager/Director notification.
If the outage is greater than local, e.g. more than the area served by a single electrical panel, the extent of the outage and cause must be determined. Facilities Services will contact affected clients as soon as practicable. If rapid repairs are not possible, Facilities Services will contact the Emergency Director. Affected departments may need to implement their emergency management plans.
In the event of an outage affecting more than a single building, the likelihood is the outage is due to a TCLP transmission problem, not solely NMC equipment failure. Events of this nature will be reported to TCLP by Facilities Services. Facilities Services will contact TCLP and the Emergency Director. Affected departments may need to implement their emergency management plans.
Concurrent with the effort to investigate and determine the scope of a power outage:
Major Outage – Traverse City Light and Power (TCLP)
By definition, a major outage affects an entire building, a portion of the campus, or the entire campus, and requires a response by TCLP.
The initial call to TCLP by Facilities Services staff will be to the (liaison with NMC). Liaison will also be established with the Local Dispatcher by our Electrical Supervisor.
Working with on scene TCLP personnel, Facilities Services will assess the extent and estimated duration of the outage. If TCLP cannot restore power within a reasonable period of time by switching affected buildings to an alternate existing feed, temporary power should be provided either by a temporary cable feed from an adjacent vault or by mobile power generation. Liaison will be maintained with the affected NMC clients.
Facilities Services will coordinate with affected parties to restrict access on an as required basis.
Facilities Services staff will de-energize and lock out equipment as the circumstances may dictate. Proper phase and motor rotation will be checked prior to placing systems and equipment back in service. Manual clocks must be reset. Engineering and electrical staff will insure that all elevators and lifts affected by the outage are clear of passengers, and once cleared “locked out.”
Natural Gas Problems and Outages – Reporting and Initial Response
Natural gas is colorless and odorless. That’s why utilities add an odorant called Mercaptan to natural gas. Its unpleasant smell helps alert you in the event of a gas leak. The unintentional release of gas is dangerous to the public and could cause fires, explosions, injury, the loss of property and even death. Typically, a natural gas leak or outage in a specific building or a portion of campus will be reported by the affected occupant(s) to the Facilities Services Work Center at 995-1111 or call 9-1-1. Facilities Services may also become aware of utility outages during and after normal working hours via the campus Building Automation System. Residents will be notified by campus staff or NMC Alert.
The initial response will be by building engineering staff, who will assess the situation, and if need be, secure the local natural gas supply at the nearest shutoff. In many cases, Traverse City Fire Department is also on the scene. If circumstances required a shutoff and/or response by Traverse City Fire Department, the natural gas supply will not be restored without consultation and coordination with Facilities Services.
If the outage is greater than local, e.g. more than a single building or portion of a building, the extent of the outage and cause must be determined in concert with MichCon Gas. Facilities Services will contact the MichCon Gas Account Manager. Natural gas emergencies may also be reported to 9-1-1. Facilities Services will also inform affected clients as soon as practicable. If rapid repairs are not possible, Facilities Services will contact the Emergency Director. Affected departments may need to implement their emergency management plans.
In the event of an outage affecting more than a single building, the likelihood is the outage is due to MichCon Gas distribution problem, not solely College equipment failure. MichCon Gas will respond to and repair all pipeline interruptions. Facilities Services will contact Campus Security, Office of the President, and the Emergency Director. Affected departments may need to implement their emergency management plans.
Local Outage – NMC Equipment Failure
For a local outage, troubleshooting, assessment, and client notification begin immediately.
Repairs will begin as soon as practicable. Minor repairs may be made by Facilities Services staff, or may require the assistance of a mechanical and/or plumbing contractor. Any repairs to gas service pipes, meters, and other outside equipment will be executed by MichCon Gas. Interior repairs may require the use of certified pipefitters or plumbers, and will be sourced from firms with whom Facilities Services maintains service agreements. Permanent repairs will be coordinated with the client.
Major Outage – MichCon Gas
By definition, a major outage affects an entire building, a portion of the campus, or the entire campus, and requires a response by MichCon Gas.
Facilities Services staff will be available to direct and assist Traverse City Fire Department and MichCon Gas personnel to the building utility system connections.
Facilities Services staff will de-energize and lock out equipment as the circumstances may dictate.
Facilities Services staff will monitor all utility systems in the area and coordinate with affected parties to restrict access on an as required basis.
This information along with a comprehensive list of other topics can be found at
employees.nmc.edu/depts/emergency-mngt-plan/emergencies/