The Problem
The safety alert issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 22 February 2022 warns about the inadequate maintenance of UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems in industrial settings. The HSE's investigation into recent UPS failures found that the equipment's operating instructions did not provide sufficient advice about maintenance to ensure its safe operation.
These failures resulted in power loss and the need for emergency shutdown procedures. Some incidents also caused dangerous fires due to capacitor or battery failure, and one case even led to the unplanned release of toxic chemicals because of outdated firmware.
The HSE warns that some operators may have a false sense of security based on sales literature that suggests modern UPS systems have a 15-20 year design life and require little ongoing maintenance. The safety alert emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance of UPS systems and provides guidance on the steps that operators should take to ensure safe operation.
The solution
Keep your backup power solutions maintained with a maintenance contract. Just like your car goes for an MOT... It's the same rule for a UPS. The system needs to be checked over regularly by an engineer.
Need A maintenance plan in place? Let us know and we can help.
