Standby Generators for New Building Construction

If a building under design or construction needs an emergency power supply, the generator is one of the longest-lead, most-coordinated items on the job — and one of the easiest to get wrong. Ozwide Power works with builders, electrical contractors and consulting engineers across Perth to specify, supply, install and commission standby generators for new building construction, from a 60 kVA set on a childcare centre to a 500 kVA set behind a high-rise essential-services board.

We handle the parts that cause delays on site: correct sizing for motor-starting loads, canopy and acoustic selection, fuel storage and autonomy, exhaust and ventilation, crane and access planning, automatic transfer switches supply, and commissioning to AS/NZS 3010 with the test records the certifier will ask for.

When does a new building need a standby generator?

The National Construction Code does not name a kVA; it names systems that must keep working through a mains failure. In practice a generator is required when the building has any of:

• A fire pump (hydrant or sprinkler) — backup supply to AS 2941
• Stairwell pressurisation or smoke exhaust fans (AS/NZS 1668)
• Fire-mode or emergency lifts
• Emergency and exit lighting that cannot meet AS 2293 on batteries alone
• Fire detection, EWIS and building management fire-mode controls that must run for the duration of a fire event (NCC Part E, CP7)
• A client requirement for business continuity — data rooms, cold storage, medical, aged care, hotels, laboratories

Most commercial buildings over three storeys tick at least one of these. The essential-services circuits must be wired separately from general power (AS/NZS 3000 clause 7.2, fire-rated cable to AS/NZS 3013) and fed through a transfer switch so that generator and mains can never be paralleled unintentionally (AS/NZS 3010).

What we need from the design team

• Essential-services load schedule — running kW and starting kVA of each motor (fire pump, fans, lifts, chillers if nominated)
• Fuel autonomy — 4 h (fire systems only), 8 h (any mains failure) or 24–48 h (critical facilities), which sets base tank vs bulk tank
• Location — plant room, roof, or outdoor enclosure; this drives canopy, acoustic rating, exhaust route and ventilation
• Acoustic limit at the boundary — standard canopies sit around 65–75 dB(A) at 7 m; super-silent options go lower
• Switchboard interface — ATS rating (100–3,200 A), 3 or 4 pole, open or closed transition, controller protocol for the BMS
• Programme — delivery window, crane date, commissioning and handover dates

Send those and we return a sized proposal with data sheets, dimensions, weights, fuel consumption tables and acoustic data for the consultant's submission.

Lead times: order at design stage

The set is usually the last major plant item craned in and the first thing the certifier wants to see run. Ordering during documentation, not after tender award, is what keeps it off the critical path.

Supply, install and commissioning — one contract

• Standby sets on Perkins, Volvo, Baudouin & Generac engines — we are the Pramac Authorised Dealer.
• Sound-attenuated canopies or as an open set bunded base and bulk fuel tanks, block heaters, battery chargers, remote monitoring
• Pramac LTS automatic transfer switches from 100A - 3,200A, or interface to the switchboard builder's ATS
• generator installation through licensed electrical contractors, with exhaust, fuel and ventilation subcontract coordination
• Commissioning to AS/NZS 3010: start, transfer, load, retransfer and cool-down sequence witnessed and recorded
• Handover pack: test certificates, O&M manuals, and a servicing & maintenance agreement with monthly test runs and annual load bank testing

Why buildings and businesses choose Ozwide Power

• Pramac Authorised Dealer — factory support, genuine parts and warranty on every set we supply.
• One team, whole lifecycle — sizing, supply, automatic transfer switches, generator installation, commissioning, then servicing & maintenance for the life of the unit.
• Perth-based technicians covering the CBD and every metro industrial precinct, with regional WA by arrangement.
• Standby Stock sets from 2 to 777 kVA in stock or on short lead time, plus 100–3,200 A transfer switches.
• Standby Custom sets up to 4.2MVA Lead times depend on engine availability and factory capacity.
• Digital service reports and a customer online portal for the compliance records building managers, insurers and auditors ask for.

Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for specifying the generator?

Usually the electrical consultant, with the builder or electrical contractor procuring it. We work with all three — sizing support for the consultant, a priced package for the contractor, and coordination with the builder's programme.

Can the generator be roof-mounted?

Yes, subject to structural loading and exhaust/acoustic design. Roof sets need a crane plan, vibration isolation and fuel transfer from a ground-level bulk tank. Plant-room and outdoor-enclosure installs are simpler.

What about the switchboard?

The essential-services board and ATS are typically the switchboard builder's scope; we supply the generator with a controller that talks to their SCADA / HMI systems. Either way we commission the whole sequence.

Do you provide drawings and data for the submission?

Yes — dimensioned drawings, weights, fuel consumption at 25/50/75/100% load, exhaust flow and temperature, acoustic data and wiring interface details.

What happens after handover?

A maintenance agreement: monthly test run, annual service and load bank test, digital service reports in your online portal. That is what keeps the building compliant after the certifier has gone.

Specifying a generator for a new build?

Call (08) 6385 1104 or request a generator quote online. Send us your load schedule, drawings or a photo of the existing set and we will come back with a sized, priced proposal.