computerwoche.de

Archiv

Preparing for disasters

11.09.2006
Thinking about disaster recovery, a year after Hurricane Katrina, and on the fifth anniversary of 9/11, it's a good idea to look at contingency planning, especially for the organizations that would need to operate during a disaster. This is a different issue than transferring operations to a remote site. There are various issues in operating in a disaster environment, usually starting with electrical power but also extending to employee concerns and the need for resupply.

Power

When demand gets beyond the capacity of uninterruptible power supply batteries, even with those as big as the 48-hour supplies of carrier-grade telephone central offices, there will be a need to generate power. Diesel generators are the most common, in part because diesel fuel is much safer than gasoline. The engines also may need other resources besides fuel.

Fuel

Diesel fuel also has a definite storage life, and diesel engines powering generators should be run on a regular basis. Regular test runs help recognize pending or actual problems, keep the engines lubricated and help with turnover of the fuel. Diesel fuel tanks need maintenance, and possibly periodic testing of the fuel. Water can collect in the tanks from condensation of air. Obviously, water is not a good thing to have in the engine, but there can be worse consequences.

It is not a joke to say that evil germs, specifically of the Methylobacter genus, turn fuel into slime. These bacteria can grow at the interface between water and fuel and form mats of cells that can then break up and clog fuel filters, injectors, etc.