Fleet & General Services Building — Diesel Generator Replacement & Upgrade

Client: Palm Beach County

Type: Commercial

Scope: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Design Services

GENERATOR UPGRADE

🔋 Fleet & General Services Building — Diesel Generator Replacement & Upgrade 

Client: Palm Beach County 

Role: Engineer of Record — ECF Engineering Consultants 

🌟 Project Overview & Objectives 

ECF Engineering Consultants led a full-scale replacement of the facility’s aging diesel generator, responsible for powering HVAC and electrical systems across the fleet/general services building. Our comprehensive scope included: 

• Replacement sizing for ≥72 hours of continuous runtime at full load 

• Integrated load switching and transfer specifications 

• Wiring and panel upgrades from the generator output to the main electrical distribution 

• Concrete pad extension design, fuel storage planning, and space assessments 

• Durability and safety enhancements: recommended cathodic protection against lightning-induced corrosion 

  
  

This project was designed to significantly improve power reliability, resilience, and code compliance across critical facility systems. 

🔧 Key Deliverables 

1. Generator Sizing & Continuous Runtime Analysis 

   • Engineered a generator system capable of sustaining full rated load for a minimum of 72 hours, meeting municipal emergency resilience standards. 

   • Applied industry-standard sizing protocols with 10–20% capacity safety margins to mitigate thermal de-rating under real-world conditions (Reddit, Genesis Infra, Worldwide Power Products). 

2. Robust Switching & Distribution Design 

   • Developed full generator switchgear specs, ATS controls, single-line diagrams, and load calculations. 

   • Evaluated downstream wiring and panel configurations; sized conductors per NEC 445.13 for prime overcurrent protection (Burns Engineering, Reddit). 

3. Spatial & Infrastructure Planning 

   • Authored construction documents for concrete pad extension, fuel containment, exhaust routing, and generator enclosure layout. 

   • Incorporated generator placement best practices—ventilation, noise control, maintenance access, and exhaust discharge—based on recommendations from PNNL and industry benchmarks (Sustainable Maintenance). 

4. Durability & Resilience Recommendations 

   • Advocated cathodic protection systems for fuel and metallic surfaces to guard against lightning ground currents. 

   • Ensured corrosion-resistant materials selection to improve long-term reliability in harsh outdoor environments. 

📊 Competitive & Industry Benchmarking 

• Emergency Power & Municipality Standards: 

  Industry leaders like Burns & McDonnell and Black & Veatch emphasize multi-day runtime capabilities and robust fuel/isolation infrastructure in critical facility power designs (Burns Engineering, csemag.com). 

• Site Planning & Code Compliance: 

  Best practices across the market mandate careful site layout to address ventilation, noise attenuation, and equipment elimination in code-sensitive zones (Sustainable Maintenance, power-eng.com). 

• Resilience & System Longevity: 

  Use of corrosion protection—such as cathodic systems—is an emerging differentiator in high-reliability generator architecture. 

🏆 Why ECF Engineering Stands Out 

🎯 Stakeholder Benefits 

• Architects & Facility Planners: Receive seamless integration of essential backup power infrastructure within master planning and site considerations. 

• Developers & Facility Managers: Gain a reliable power system with minimal operational risk and future upgrade flexibility. 

• Municipalities & Emergency Agencies: Obtain engineered solutions aligned with NFPA-110, NEC, and local codes, ensuring public safety and contingency preparedness. 

✅ Next Steps for Power Resilience 

In today’s regulatory and operational landscape, full-load generator resilience is no longer optional—it’s essential. 

Let’s collaborate to ensure your emergency power infrastructure meets modern standards for runtime, redundancy, and durability. Reach out to ECF’s Building Services Group to discuss generator replacements, site upgrades, and fully coordinated power system design. 

📞 Contact our Senior Director of Building Services to strengthen your facility’s emergency readiness with durable, long-term solutions.