EMERGENCY POWER PLAN FOR BELLE VISTA RETIREMENT HOME, INC. AL7261 BELLE VISTA BLUFFS, INC. AL7888 I. Purpose of Plan As a result of major issues and loss of lives in Florida during Hurricane Irma, Governor Scott issued a decree to the Department of Elder Affairs to write a rule requiring all assisted living facilities in the state of Florida to have a generator that will maintain an ambient temperature of 80 degrees or less for a period of 96 hours without interruption. The generator and the fuel supply must be on the property for immediate use in case of an emergency. II. Plan Developer and Implementer The Administrator/Owner Beverly C. Mackin reached out to local hardware stores (7 chain stores) only to discover that there are none available in stock in the state of Florida. Although they are ordering and receiving additional units, they subcontract the installation to an outside source. It is up to the buyer of the generator to hire a subcontractor to install the equipment, switches, gas and electric lines, concrete pad to support generator. Research revealed there were only a limited number of skilled electricians/contractors to do the job and the manufacturer could not warranty the work they performed, only the equipment they ship to you via the box store. Therefore, I researched the top generator manufacturers such as Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, via online websites and telephone questions with their technical support. Generac in Wisconsin is the leading manufacturer of residential and commercial standby generators, and they were most helpful, service-oriented company with availability of their full line of generators, and actively producing more to meet the needs of Florida facilities. Local dealers were identified, contacted, and then an appointment was set to meet at each property to determine engineering recommendations for size and type and accessories needed to meet the Rule Guidelines and to determine the best available source of fuel. III. Selection of Appropriate Equipment and Fuel Supply Both Jack Joyner Heating and A/C and Hoffman Electrical are authorized dealers of Generac generators in the local Clearwater area. We have met with both dealers and discovered that their anticipated installation was several months away since they do not have any 16KW or 22 KW generators in inventory nor adequate staff to meet the intense demand we are under to accomplish within 60 days. Therefore, I contacted GenerX, the largest dealer in the southeast with multiple offices in Florida, and decided to contract the sale, installation, and maintenance service with GenerX Generators of Oldsmar. The contracts with pricing, installation, warranty and maintenance have been executed and the order for the (2) generators 22 KW standby to run both entire buildings (each 3300 square foot house). The office manager, technical salesman and field engineer were efficient, professional, and
committed to providing full service from installation thru continuity of service for oil changes and routine maintenance and inspections. Generac Model #7043G 22 KW can be powered by LPG or natural gas, both of which we will utilize at our two locations. Amerigas Propane company has tanks adequate to fuel our size generator for 96 hours, and they are in stock. Belle Vista Bluffs Inc., will have them install 4 tanks of 120 gallons each, sequentially connected to the generator. The location of installation on the property is the recommendation by the generator dealer and the gas supplier. By utilizing a SMM computerized accessory to alternate the load usage and, therefore fuel demand, we are able to run more appliances for a short time rather than running all appliances all the time. I have been assured that this is more than adequate to cool the entire house even below the 80 degree temperature mandate, while still running our lights, TVs, refrigerators and freezer. It is not likely that we will utilize washer, dryer, oven or other high voltage appliances for the four days or more we may be backup power. Of course, we have that option, but the plan is to utilize crock pots, microwaves and stove tops for normal meal preparation for our resident capacity of 10. This is for the Largo location of Belle Vista Bluffs, Inc. The Clearwater location of Belle Vista Retirement Home, Inc. has natural gas lines accessible to our existing property. The same Model #7043G will be installed on the west side of the Clearwater location with gas lines buried to the property and connected to the aluminum generator with sound reduction materials. All permitting, inspections, and code specifications will be honored. IV. Installation of Generator and Fuel Supply The Generac Guardian Generator will be installed on the western side of the Clearwater facility away from doors and windows. Clearwater Gas is the natural gas supplier in our area and is available at the location so a tankless gas water heater will be installed by GenerX along with all electrical lines and gas lines for operation of the unit. Chris Thorn of Clearwater Gas System has done a site review and is comfortable with the plan. This is near the electric meter and consistent with permit codes for Pinellas County and State of Florida. The Largo location does not have natural gas available; therefore, we will utilize 4 120 gallon tanks, sequentially connected to the generator in the southwest portion of the property, to provide the continuous fuel supply for 96 hours. This will be installed and maintained by Amerigas Propane Company, although the field representative is not available for site review until November 9 th. Suburban Propane is an alternative source and they are scheduled for a site review on October 31 st as their earliest available field visit. We will pursue both sources to ensure adequate availability and delivery. V. Safety Inspections and Approvals. This plan is being prepared for the Pinellas Country Emergency Management Center and to the Department of Elder Affairs for review and approval. When we receive such approval the Plan will be implemented as outlined with all services being coordinated by Beverly Mackin, Administrator and Owner of said properties.
The gas companies each conduct their on-site safety inspections, and GenerX conducts inspections for equipment and proper inspections, permits and regulatory codes since this is their ONLY business for the past 20 years. They have also provided me with a great deal of knowledge on the requirements and expectations of performance. They will ensure that building permits, electrical and gas permits are obtained and inspected according to code. The Fire Marshall shall also conduct an inspection upon completion of the work. VI. VII. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS Two generators have been ordered with all supporting equipment, connections, batteries, switches through GenerX with anticipated delivery date of three to four weeks. Gas companies have been selected for installation of fuel supply and safety inspections to be done at the time of generator deliveries. NOTIFICATION TO RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, GUARDIANS, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES All residents and/or family member and representatives have been notified of our plan of action and have expressed pleasure in our proactive approach to providing safety and comfort for their loved ones or themselves. We are coming into cooler weather at this time and the end of hurricane season, so we hope not to have a need for backup power in the next month. However, should there be another disaster that would threaten or jeopardize the safety and well-being of our residents, we will arrange to have families take their loved ones home with them temporarily, or we ll arrange for accommodations at our sister facilities, both of which are identified in this Plan. All other residents will be accompanied with staff to the nearby Holiday Inn Express for our residents to stay safely in a commercial hotel. We currently have a portable generator of 8.7 KW, but it is not adequate to provide air conditioning for the entire building. Therefore, we would utilize the above noted local resources to maintain the comfort of our residents. During Hurricane Irma we used this backup power for lights, refrigeration, fans, and one air conditioned room for the residents. We also took daily trips to the Publix supermarket one block away for shopping and walking in airconditioned comfort. We are looking forward to having our new generators installed late November 2017 as the permanent solution to a potentially harmful if not uncomfortable situation due to a loss of power. Respectfully submitted, Beverly C. Mackin Administrator/Owner 10/24/2017
LIST OF CONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS AND CONSULTANTS FOR THE PROJECT GENERX GENERATORS, JOHN MACGOWAN, Field Engineer 727-342-5335 AMERIGAS PROPANE CO., Summer, office manager 727-599-2130 CLEARWATER GAS CO. Chris Thorn, commercial gas supervisor 727-562-4980 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE, PINELLAS, 727-464-3800, 400 So. Ft. Harrison, Clearwater DEPT OF ELDER AFFAIRS, Ms. Jeanne Curtin, Senior Attorney, 4040 Esplanade Way, TALLAHASSEE, FL 23299 curtinij@elderaffairs.org
Sworn Affidavit by Beverly C. Mackin, Administrator of Belle Vista Retirement Home, Inc., AL#7261 and Belle Vista Bluffs, Inc., AL#7888, is requesting a variance of Rule 58AER17-1 per the attached Plan that details a) Steps taken to implement plan generator purchase made pending delivery b) Specific circumstances beyond the control of facility lack of availability c) Arrangements made for residents to not be exposed to temperatures above 80 degrees in the event of a power failure alternate housing d) Steps remaining for full implementation Plan approval by DOEA, installation & inspection e) Notice provided to residents, family members, guardians that variance or waiver has been applied for Rule 58AER-17-1 Request that Agency will not assess a fine due to circumstances beyond the control of the Facility and that every effort has been made to meet the 60- day implementation deadline. I, Beverly C. Mackin, do hereby swear that the I have done everything possible to achieve full implementation of Rule 58AER-17-1 but will need a few weeks extension due to availability of the generators which have been ordered.