When a strata-managed apartment building loses power, the consequences go beyond dark corridors. Lifts stop. Fire detection and suppression systems go offline. Water pumps fail, leaving upper floors without water. Emergency lighting runs on battery — but only for 90 minutes. Security gates and intercoms stop working.
For strata managers and body corporates, a power outage isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a safety and compliance issue. Here’s what you need to know about emergency generator hire for strata buildings in Sydney.
What Stops Working When a Building Loses Power?
The essential services that rely on mains electricity in a typical apartment building include: lifts and elevators, fire indicator panels (FIP) and sprinkler pumps, common area lighting and emergency lighting (battery backup lasts ~90 minutes), domestic water booster pumps, sump pumps and stormwater pumps, security access and intercom systems, and basement ventilation fans.
Without backup power, a building can become non-compliant with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) within hours.
What Size Generator Does a Strata Building Need?
This depends on the building’s size and which services you need to maintain. As a rough guide: a 6–10 storey building typically needs 60–150kVA to maintain essential services (lifts, fire, water, lighting). A 10–20 storey building usually requires 150–300kVA. Larger or more complex buildings may need 400kVA+ or multiple generators in parallel.
We assess every building individually — there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Who Pays for Emergency Generator Hire?
In most cases, emergency generator hire for common property is covered under the strata’s administration fund or special levy. If the outage was caused by a storm, flood, or other insured event, the cost may be recoverable through the building’s insurance policy. We provide detailed invoices that insurers and loss adjusters accept.
Does the Generator Need to Be Connected by an Electrician?
Yes — in NSW, generators must be connected to a building’s switchboard by a licensed electrician. This isn’t optional. Our electricians arrive with the generator and handle the entire connection, commissioning, and load testing. You don’t need to organise a separate contractor.
What Should Strata Managers Do Now (Before an Outage)?
The best time to plan for an outage is before one happens. We recommend: confirming whether your building has a changeover switch or generator connection point, keeping Coastal Generator Hire’s number (0430 880 958) in your emergency contacts, knowing your building’s essential load (ask your electrical maintenance contractor), and briefing your building manager on generator access and switchboard location.
If you manage a strata building in Sydney and want to understand your backup power options, call us anytime on 0430 880 958. We’re happy to do a no-obligation site assessment and give you a clear picture of what you’d need in an emergency.