Electric Shutdown Drill Planned for West Campus on May 5

The University of Cincinnati’s Utilities Department will conduct a West Campus emergency preparedness drill from

4-6 a.m. on Friday, May 5

, 2017.

The drill will only affect West Campus.

East Campus will

not

be affected.

This drill will simulate a complete loss of power to the West Campus. The test ensures that the university can effectively use its own power plant generators to restore power in the event of a major emergency.

Power from the utility grid will be shut off at 4 a.m. on May 5. UC emergency generators will then be activated and will operate for 90 to 120 minutes. West Campus will then be returned to the utility grid.

WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Equipment not connected to an emergency generator can be expected to lose power for 90 to 120 minutes. The two transitions between the utility grid and UC generators will cause a complete loss of power on West Campus for approximately 10 seconds each, including equipment connected to emergency generators.

• West Campus faculty, staff and students should SAVE AND BACK UP all computer files and SHUT DOWN sensitive equipment prior to the test.

• West Campus faculty, staff and students should stay off elevators during the test.

Any questions related to computing after the test should be directed to the UCit help desk at 513-556-HELP (4357).

Any questions related to HVAC systems following the test should be directed to building maintenance and operations at 513-558-2500.

• See information on the UC Utilities web site.