Cummins Power Generation has released two downloadable documents and an online video about OSHPD ( Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) preapproval of emergency power generation systems. The California agency sets seismic requirements that critical equipment—such as emergency power systems—must meet before they can be installed in hospitals in the state. Cummins is the first manufacturer to earn OSHPD preapproval for its entire line of generator sets, as well as automatic transfer switches and digital master controls.
The OSHPD Overview provides a brief summary of OSHPD certification and preapproval, as well as what equipment from Cummins has been preapproved. The OSHPD White Paper is more detailed, exploring the relationship of the OSHPD standard to the International Building Code (IBC) and California Building Code (CBC) and also describes the kinds of testing required to earn preapproval.
A short OSHPD video includes footage of a 2,000 kW, 35,000 lb generator set on the largest triaxial shake table in the U.S. The video also features commentary from representatives of the independent engineering firm that supervised the shake-table tests as well as the director of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, where the testing was conducted.
The two documents and the video are available here .
From July 6 –12 Cummins Power Generation conducted seismic testing of a 2000 kW, 35,000 lb generator set at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
For Cummins Power Generation, the objective was to allow the company’s high range (250 kW – 2500 kW) generator sets to join the low range (10 kW – 230 kW) generator sets, automatic transfer switches and digital master controls that had already been preapproved as meeting the seismic standards for California healthcare facilities. These standards follow the International Building Code (IBC) and the California Building Code (CBC), as interpreted by California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). The overall goal of the standards is to ensure that hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including their critical power equipment, can keep operating even after an earthquake.
The PEER shake-table earthquake simulator is one of the few in the United State with both triaxial capability and the capacity to handle equipment of this size and weight. The testing included earthquake simulation by shaking the 35,000-lb unit for 30 seconds on the “X”, “Y” and “Z” axes. The tests included testing at different gravity factor levels to ensure that Cummins equipment will perform under the most difficult and hazardous conditions. Following each series of tests, the generator set was operated under load to assure complete functionality.
The test was a success, making Cummins Power Generation the first company with the ability to supply hospitals in California with an entire emergency power system preapproved under the rigorous OSHPD Seismic Certification Preapproval (OSP) Program.
Full Line of Emergency Standby Power Systems From Cummins Power Generation Earns OSHPD Preapproval for Seismic Certification in California
First manufacturer to have complete emergency power system — generator sets, transfer switches, controls — preapproved by state agency
Cummins Power Generation’s high range generator sets have been added to the list of products meeting the rigorous standards for preapproved seismic certification by OSHPD, California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
The company's low range generator sets, from 10 kW – 230 kW, were preapproved earlier this year, along with PowerCommand® automatic transfer switches (ATS) and digital master controllers (DMC). The high range generator sets, from 250 kW – 2500 kW, are now also preapproved, making Cummins Power Generation the first company with the ability to supply an entire preapproved emergency power system of any size for hospitals in California. Cummins Power Generation can supply the listed products to healthcare facilities without having to shake-test the actual units being delivered. That means faster installation and commissioning, reducing time and costs.
The generator preapproval covers configurations with a generator set only, generator and sub-base fuel tank, and generator with fuel tank and enclosure.
“We are delighted with the preapproved status of our complete line of generator sets,” said Claire Roper, director, Commercial Generator Set Sales, North America. “Currently, we are the only manufacturer able to provide a full range of generator sets, automatic transfer switches and digital master controllers, all with OSHPD preapproval.”
The purpose of OSHPD certification and preapproval is to ensure that hospitals and other “Critical Care Units” in California will be able to continue functioning during and after an earthquake. The program covers all critical parts of a healthcare facility, including the building itself and its power systems, as well as electrical, mechanical and diagnostic equipment. The Facilities Development Division (FDD) established the OSHPD Special Seismic Certification Preapproval (OSP) Program in 2009 in response to the overwhelming number of applications from thousands of healthcare facilities for OSHPD project certification. For power systems, preapproval typically involves shake-testing and certifying the smallest and the largest unit in a product line under the supervision of a licensed structural or mechanical engineer. Other units in the product line can then be approved using computer simulation or other analytical methods. For more information, see www.oshpd.ca.gov. The agency’s complete list of preapproved equipment is available here:
Cummins Power Generation has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on Tier 4 Interim readiness with three other leading diesel engine manufacturers at the Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA) 2010 Fall Technical & Marketing Conference. The conference will be held September 12–14, 2010, in Newport Beach, California.
EGSA is the world’s largest trade association dedicated to on-site power generation. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, EGSA is made up of nearly 800 manufacturers, distributors, specifying engineers, contractors, integrators and other member companies.
The panel discussion will begin with an overview of Tier 4 Interim Diesel Engine emissions compliance as it relates to non-road diesels in general, and specifically to mobile and stationary generator sets. Speaking on behalf of Cummins Power Generation, Vivek Malapati, senior product planner, will present a road map of Cummins’ path to Tier 4. He will touch briefly on the design, packaging and economic challenges that Cummins has mastered while developing the new technology. Malapati will discuss how Cummins is supporting its network of distributors and dealers in establishing appropriate service intervals and procedures for the new engines. He will also highlight the key responsibilities for end users to keep equipment in compliance. Finally, Malapati will conclude his remarks by touching on the ongoing market challenges facing manufacturers as they implement Tier 4 requirements.
Malapati joined Cummins in 2006 as a product marketing manager and has held a number of product marketing and planning roles. At present, he is responsible for the company’s long-term product road map for global stationary and mobile markets.
Employees of Cummins Power Generation in Fridley recently won a prestigious corporate award from the parent company for helping to make it easier for residents to recycle at Parkview Villa in Fridley. Parkview Villa is an affordable housing community residence operated by CommonBond Communities, which serves the elderly and people with disabilities. In addition, a resident at Parkview Villa who is a RISE Inc. program participant was hired to collect recyclable materials throughout the building. RISE, Inc. is a Twin Cities-based nonprofit that supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment and safe, affordable housing.
As a result of the project, recycling participation by the residents has increased by 50 percent, and the employees who organized it were recognized in the Environmental Challenge that was part of Cummins’ 90th anniversary celebration. Employees around the globe responded to the Environmental Challenge by working on 62 separate projects. Of those, 13 projects were selected to receive $10,000 grants from the Cummins Foundation to donate to nonprofit community partners of the employees’ choice.
This group of employees demonstrated long-standing commitment to the communities where the company has facilities. They realized one of Cummins’ corporate goals: “Demanding that everything we do leads to a cleaner, healthier, safer environment.”
The Bloomberg Businessweek 50 is an honor roll of large publicly held American companies. The 50 companies have the best record of all the companies in the S&P 500 as measured by total return —share price appreciation plus dividends — during the previous five years.
Cummins Inc. ranked #12 on this list, with a five-year total return of 278%. The brief profile of the company notes that first-quarter revenues for 2010 were up 2% over 2009, and that overseas growth compensated for a decline in North American revenue. The article on the list is available here.
Sammy Hagar, Counting Crows, the Gin Blossoms, 311, Haley Bonar, the Retribution Gospel Choir . . . and Cummins Power Generation . . . they all performed at the 2010 Taste of Minnesota celebration.
Powering 100 hours worth of musical acts, and keeping the food hot and the drinks cold, was the responsibility of Cummins NPower, the exclusive distributor for Cummins Power Generation in the Upper Midwest. Cummins NPower provided a complete power solution for the event, including 20 trailerized rental generator sets in a range of sizes: 20 kW, 50 kW, 60 kW, 150 kW and 200 kW.
The annual event’s new management offered national, regional and local musical acts on five stages, while 40+ local restaurants served up savory and satisfying cuisine. The management also opened the power generation contract for bids for the first time, and Cummins NPower captured the business.
According to Tom Smith, rental sales manager, Cummins NPower, all the generator sets were brought on-site in one trip, with several trucks caravanning to Harriet Island on the Mississippi River. Once there, all the equipment was set up and ready to go in just two days.
Smith noted, “As part of a nationwide network of Cummins distributors, we’re able to cooperate and work together to mobilize any number of units from other geographic areas, if needed, to bring a large event together. For this event, we partnered with Cummins Crosspoint, a distributor from the southeastern U.S. But to event management, we were an easy-to-work-with single, local presence, with uniform product, service and attention to quality.”
