GENERATOR PLACEMENT
Costs can be minimized by placing the Residential generator as close to the existing electrical service entrance as possible without getting too close. Gas and electric utility companies require specific clearances between their equipment and the equipment belonging to other companies or the homeowner. We will consult with your local code authority and will ensure we place your generator correctly. A propane backup generator also requires a minimum distance between the tank’s fill valve and the generator which varies by locality.
Some general guidelines include placing your standby generator where prevailing winds will blow the exhaust away from the home. Keep the generator away from bedrooms, living areas, and where the noise won’t bother your neighbors. All locations must be at least five feet away from openings such as windows, soffit vents, and doorways.
Never locate the generator under an overhang, in a breezeway, or in recesses blocked by trees, shrubs or other vegetation. Avoid areas subject to snow drifts and protect the generator from pets, animals, people, and traffic.
Standard required clearances include five feet from any house opening and three feet from flammable materials. NFPA code, house siding materials, and manufacturer certifications govern the minimum distance between the home and the back of the generator. 18 inches is the new standard, but local code authorities have the final say.
Never locate the generator anyplace that might allow exhaust gases to accumulate, under a roof of any kind, or inside any kind of building.
CHOOSING A GENERATOR
Choosing a location for your new home standby generator is usually straightforward, but there are factors you must consider. A good location is one that allows the generator to operate efficiently and safely without endangering the lives of people living in the house. Always install standby generators outdoors on stable ground that does not flood. The exhaust gases produced by a generator contain deadly carbon monoxide and that is yet another consideration for location.
We are familiar with local building codes for necessary requirements and permits. The Building Department will have the final say in all electrical and gas plumbing installations. Local ordinances do vary from standard codes and supersede the manufacturer’s recommendations. Experienced Service Electricians know how to work with local building departments to resolve conflicts between installation instructions and local building codes.
GENERATOR PADS
After we have determined a location, have it approved by your local code authority and obtain a building permit. There’s nothing worse than purchasing your Residential Generator, only to have a code inspector fail your installation because it didn’t meet local codes for placement or you didn’t obtain get a permit. It wastes time and money.
A permit and passed inspection ensures that your insurance company will honor the policy in the event of fire or other damage.
The new Generac Genpad sits directly on the soil without a prepared gravel bed.
Some localities require a concrete pad for the Residential Generator to sit on, others allow generators to sit directly on a bed of gravel or pea gravel. Most manufacturers supply their generators in an enclosure that includes a suitable base for the generator―provided the underlying surface is level.
A bed made from compacted sand with pea gravel on top makes a good pad. Remove the sod and dirt to make a rectangular shaped hole as large as required and six inches deep. Add a three-inch layer of damp sand and compact it. Make a 2-by-4 frame from cedar or pressure treated lumber to help enclose the gravel and keep it on the pad, and out of your grass. Level the frame with a spirit level, fill it with pea gravel, and you’re ready to set the generator on it.
New Generac Guardian standby generators include a composite pad that sits directly on the soil without a prepared gravel bed.
Even when local codes require a concrete pad, it is still a good idea to build a base of compacted sand and set a frame on top of it. Level the frame and fill it with concrete. Once it hardens and cures, it’s ready for the generator.
