Standby generator planning checklist

A standby generator plan starts with critical loads and transfer strategy. The generator size is only one part of the project.

Use this guide before selecting standby equipment so outage scenario, critical loads, starting kVA, fuel/runtime, transfer strategy, utility isolation, and testing are documented.

When to use this guide

• A home or business wants backup power but has not decided between whole-building and critical-load operation.
• Motor starting, heating, refrigeration, pumps, IT, medical, or life-safety loads may drive generator size and sequencing.
• The project needs transfer equipment, utility isolation, fuel planning, inspection, labeling, and maintenance records.

Inputs to gather

• Outage scenario, required duration, must-run loads, optional loads, excluded loads, and load priority.
• Running load, largest starting load, load sequencing, load shedding, motor data, and sensitive equipment notes.
• Fuel type, tank size, runtime target, cold-weather assumptions, exhaust/location constraints, and maintenance access.
• Transfer strategy, generator compatibility, utility isolation, permit/inspection path, labeling, test plan, and maintenance log.

Project path matrix

Working checklist

• Confirm the project branch: A home or business wants backup power but has not decided between whole-building and critical-load operation.
• Measure or photograph the first hard inputs: Outage scenario, required duration, must-run loads, optional loads, excluded loads, and load priority. Running load, largest starting load, load sequencing, load shedding, motor data, and sensitive equipment notes.
• Record the decision basis: Whole-home backup can be much less practical than a well-planned critical-load system. Fuel, exhaust, location, emergency/life-safety, utility isolation, and inspection requirements vary by product, building, municipality, province, and authority.
• Keep the handoff package together: Critical-load matrix, running and starting load notes, sequencing plan, and generator-sizing output.
• Stop before work proceeds if this applies: Loads include life-safety, medical, fire pump, elevator, refrigeration, sump pump, heat, or business-critical process equipment.

Workflow

1. Build a critical-load matrix before sizing the generator.
2. Separate running load from starting kVA and load-sequencing assumptions.
3. Compare fuel and runtime constraints separately from electrical sizing.
4. Choose a transfer strategy path and confirm utility isolation requirements before equipment is ordered.
5. Plan commissioning, periodic testing, labeling, and maintenance records as part of the project.

Decision checkpoints

• Whole-home backup can be much less practical than a well-planned critical-load system.
• Largest motor starting step can matter more than total running load.
• Fuel supply, exhaust, location, weather, and maintenance access can constrain the electrical plan.
• Backfeed prevention is a required safety boundary; informal cords or unsafe interconnection are not a transfer strategy.

Canada-specific checks

• Fuel, exhaust, location, emergency/life-safety, utility isolation, and inspection requirements vary by product, building, municipality, province, and authority.
• Use current local authority, utility, fuel supplier, product markings, and manufacturer instructions.
• This guide does not approve generator size, transfer setup, fuel system, emergency-power classification, or inspection acceptance.

Project package to keep

• Critical-load matrix, running and starting load notes, sequencing plan, and generator-sizing output.
• Fuel/runtime assumptions, tank or supply details, location/exhaust constraints, and maintenance access notes.
• Transfer equipment details, permit/inspection notes, utility isolation correspondence, labels, and commissioning test record.

Stop and get local review

• Loads include life-safety, medical, fire pump, elevator, refrigeration, sump pump, heat, or business-critical process equipment.
• The project depends on whole-home transfer, automatic transfer, generator/battery interaction, or service equipment work.
• Fuel, exhaust, location, utility isolation, or transfer method is unclear.

Questions to settle before work starts

• Which local authority, utility, property authority, product listing, or manufacturer instruction controls this generators and backup decision?
• Which inputs are measured from the field or nameplate, and which are still assumptions from a quote, drawing, or memory?
• Which part of the work will be concealed, energized, interconnected, or purchased before review if the sequence is not controlled?
• Which single assumption would change the equipment choice, installation path, cost, schedule, or inspection timing?
• Who will keep the final photos, calculator outputs, product documents, permit or utility records, and commissioning notes?

Use the related tools

• Use the Load List Calculator to build the critical-load matrix.
• Use the Generator Sizing Calculator for preliminary load screening.
• Use the Generator Runtime Fuel Calculator for tank and runtime scenarios.

Public reference starting points

• ESA generator safety - Authority safety context for generator connection and backfeed risk.
• BC Hydro backup power safety - Utility safety context for backup power.

Local standards and authority note

Confirm generator, transfer, fuel, utility isolation, testing, and inspection requirements with current local sources and qualified professionals.