When it comes to maintaining critical systems, the UK has clear guidelines and certifications in place for many essential services. Boilers, for instance, must be serviced by Gas Safe-certified engineers. Air conditioning systems require specialist engineers. Lifts are maintained by dedicated lift engineers. But what about uninterruptible power supply (UPS) maintenance?
When it comes to UPS systems, you’d think there would be strict rules about keeping these critical pieces of infrastructure in top condition. After all, they’re the last line of defence against power cuts and the chaos they bring.
Despite their importance, there remains a grey area in the UK regarding UPS maintenance responsibility. Should it be electricians? Facilities managers? The IT team? Or specialist UPS engineers? Without a clear answer, responsibility for maintenance can get passed around like a hot potato. This lack of clarity often leads to the bare minimum being done, which puts businesses at risk when they need their UPS the most.
UPS Maintenance: The Quiet Guardian
UPS systems keep data safe, protect expensive equipment, and maintain operations when the power goes out. Whether it’s a hospital, data centre, or manufacturing facility, these systems are trusted to perform under pressure.
But like any hardworking machine, UPS systems need regular maintenance to do their job. Miss a few checks, and you’re risking unexpected downtime, costly repairs, or even total failure at a time when you need it most.
The Grey Area: Why UPS Maintenance Responsibility Needs Clarity
Currently, there is no governing body or mandatory certification for UPS engineers in the UK. This has led to a situation where general electricians, often without specific expertise, are sometimes tasked with maintaining and testing UPS systems. While SFG20, the industry standard for maintenance specifications, suggests that electricians can handle UPS maintenance, this approach overlooks the complexities involved in these systems.
Would you trust a general electrician with no specialised knowledge to ensure the safety and reliability of your UPS system? Allowing someone without the right skills to handle such a specialist task is like asking a car mechanic to repair a plane – it’s simply not their area of expertise.
UPS systems are far from simple. They consist of sensitive components like batteries, inverters, and control circuits, all of which require specialist knowledge to service and test effectively. A general electrician may not have the training or experience to identify subtle issues or perform precise diagnostics, putting the reliability of the entire system at risk.
The Problem With No Rules Around UPS Maintenance
Let’s pause there for a moment. Imagine asking a general mechanic to service a Formula 1 car. Sure, they know engines, but that doesn’t mean they understand the fine-tuned complexities of high-performance machines. It’s the same with UPS systems. They’re intricate pieces of equipment with sensitive components, and maintaining them requires specialist knowledge.
When general electricians are tasked with UPS maintenance responsibility, key issues can be missed. Batteries degrade, software becomes outdated, and performance suffers. This raises the question: would you trust such a critical system to someone without specialised training? It’s a gamble many businesses don’t even realise they’re taking.
SFG20 and the Path to Better Standards
At BCL Power, we recognise the need for clearer guidance and higher standards in UPS maintenance, similar to Gas Safe for boilers or F-Gas certification for air conditioning. That’s why we are working closely with SFG20 to amend their recommendations. Our goal is to ensure that only engineers with specialist skills are deemed qualified to perform UPS testing and maintenance. This change will help prioritise safety, compliance, and reliability for businesses across the UK.
Until such standards are in place, it’s up to businesses to make informed decisions about UPS maintenance.
Who Would You Trust?
When you consider the critical systems a UPS supports, the answer becomes clear: UPS maintenance should not be left to generalists. It requires the expertise of specialist engineers who understand the intricacies of these systems and can ensure they perform when it matters most.
Looking for specialist UPS maintenance? Our expert engineers can keep your system running smoothly. Contact us today!