# US 2013/0158932 A1 · Systems and methods for testing emergency power supply systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158932 A1 - Document ID: US20130158932A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/691,376 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-03 - Assignees: Blue Pillar, Inc. - Inventors: Bradley Jay Witter; Thomas Joseph Butler; Joseph J. Scoufis; Eric D. Reichel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158932A1 ## CPC - H02J 13/1323: {using optical fibres} - G01F 13/006: {measuring volume in function of time} - G01R 31/40: Testing power supplies (testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10) - G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C) - G06F 17/00: Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions (information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00) - G06F 17/10: Complex mathematical operations {(function generation by table look-up G06F1/03; evaluation of elementary functions by calculation G06F7/544)} - G06Q 10/063118: {Staff planning in a project environment} - G06Q 10/06313: {Resource planning in a project environment} - G06Q 10/06315: {Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis} - G06Q 10/06395: {Quality analysis or management} - G06Q 30/0601: Electronic shopping [e-shopping] - H02J 13/12: Monitoring network conditions, e.g. electrical magnitudes or operational status - H02J 13/333: the equipment forming part of substations - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - H02J 13/1337: {involving the use of Internet protocols} - H04Q 2209/10: using a centralized architecture - H04Q 2209/86: Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device - Y02E 60/00: Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation - Y04S 10/30: State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge - Y04S 40/124: using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses - Y04S 50/10: Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for managing and monitoring a plurality of emergency power supply systems (EPSS's) at a facility via an emergency power management system (EPMS). The EPMS generally comprises EPSS equipment, a management computer system for managing, monitoring, and testing the operational characteristics of the EPSS equipment, and a plurality of interface modules for providing unified communication capabilities between the management computer system and the EPSS equipment. Additional aspects relate to methods for easily and efficiently creating and installing an EPMS at a facility. Further aspects are directed to providing predictive analyses related to the EPSS equipment. Also, aspects of the present disclosure relate to normalizing EPSS equipment information across varying vendors, makes, and models of equipment so as to provide a unified view of all equipment across a given facility. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-115. (canceled) ### Claim 116 A method for testing emergency power supply system (EPSS) equipment at a facility, wherein the EPSS equipment comprises at least one automatic transfer switch (ATS), and wherein the EPSS equipment is operatively connected to an EPSS management computer system for managing the EPSS equipment, comprising the steps of: receiving a test initiation command at the EPSS management computer system for initiation of an automatic load test of one or more items of EPSS equipment, wherein the test initiation command is generated by a user via a graphical user interface (GUI), and wherein the test initiation command includes one or more testing parameters; upon receipt of the test initiation command, the EPSS management computer system creating a data record for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment that are subject to the automatic load test, wherein each data record includes EPSS testing data related to the automatic load test, and wherein each data record is stored in a database; sending a test start command from the EPSS management computer system to an initiating ATS included in the one or more items of EPSS equipment to be tested to start the automatic load test as a function of the one or more testing parameters in the test initiation command, whereby the initiating ATS facilitates a transfer of electrical power to a portion of the facility from utility power to emergency power; during the automatic load test, receiving the EPSS testing data from the one or more items of EPSS equipment and storing the received EPSS testing data in each respective data record for use in generating one or more test reports; ending the automatic load test based upon the one or more testing parameters; and whereby once the automatic load test has ended, power to the portion of the facility is transferred back to utility power and the one or more test reports are generated based on the stored data records. ### Claim 117 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises at least one fuel supply and at least one fuel management system. ### Claim 118 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises switchgear. ### Claim 119 The method of claim DM1, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises at least one generator. ### Claim 120 (depends on 119) The method of claim 119, wherein the EPSS testing data that is received from the at least one generator and stored in a corresponding generator data record is selected from the group comprising: a test start date and time, test end date and time, time and date generator begins running, time and date generator stops running, total engine runtime, time duration of generator cooldown, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, charging voltage, charging current, power, facility load powered, rated power, percent of rated power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, and frequency. ### Claim 121 (depends on 119) The method of claim 119, wherein the data record for the at least one generator includes a generator identifier, test identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's being tested, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 122 (depends on 119) The method of claim 119, wherein the one or more testing parameters in the test initiation command are selected from the group comprising: duration of the test, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, the initiating ATS, load test transfer time offset, and a designation that the at least one generator must provide emergency power equal to at least 30% of its rated load before test recording begins. ### Claim 123 (depends on 122) The method of claim 122, wherein the test type is selected from the group comprising: one-time test, periodic test, and compliance test. ### Claim 124 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the EPSS testing data that is received from the at least one ATS and stored in a corresponding ATS data record is selected from the group comprising: date and time initiation command is received, test start date and time, date and time facility power is transferred from utility power to emergency power, time duration of transfer from utility power to emergency power, date and time facility power is transferred back from emergency power to utility power, time duration of transfer from emergency power to utility power, test end date and time, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, total current, rated current, percent of rated current, power factor, total power, facility load powered, frequency, and a percent of rated power for generators connected to the at least one ATS. ### Claim 125 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the data record for the at least one ATS includes an ATS identifier, a test identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's being tested, the initiating ATS, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 126 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the test start command is sent from the EPSS management computer system to the initiating ATS through an interface module, wherein the interface module is operatively connected to the EPSS equipment for transmitting signals from the EPSS management computer system to the EPSS equipment to operate the EPSS equipment. ### Claim 127 (depends on 126) The method of claim 126, wherein the interface module receives EPSS testing data from the one or more items of EPSS equipment during the automatic load test and normalizes and transmits the EPSS testing data to the EPSS management computer system for use in generating the one or more test reports. ### Claim 128 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, further comprising the steps of: logging in a database a record of the ATS's that have been used as initiating ATS's for initiating automatic load tests during a predefined time period; and providing the user with a suggested initiating ATS via the GUI corresponding to an ATS that has not been used as an initiating ATS during the predefined time period so as to ensure all ATS's at the facility are tested during the time period. ### Claim 129 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, further comprising the step of upon detection of an emergency event affecting the EPSS equipment at the facility, aborting the automatic load test. ### Claim 130 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, further comprising the step of displaying live EPSS testing data to the user via the GUI as the automatic load test is occurring. ### Claim 131 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the EPSS management computer system maintains a schedule of automatic load tests for running tests of the EPSS equipment according to a calendar of automatic load tests. ### Claim 132 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the EPSS management computer system maintains a calendar of historical automatic load tests for viewing EPSS testing data related to past automatic load tests. ### Claim 133 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more compliance reports for complying with regulatory testing requirements of the EPSS equipment. ### Claim 134 (depends on 133) The method of claim 133, further comprising the step of retrieving a beginning test data point, middle test data point, and ending test data point for the automatic load test from the EPSS testing data stored in the data records for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment for inclusion in the one or more compliance reports. ### Claim 135 (depends on 133) The method of claim 133, wherein the regulatory testing requirements are mandated by the Joint Commission and set by the National Fire Protection Agency. ### Claim 136 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more operational reports listing one or more items from the EPSS testing data received during the automatic load test for a plurality of test data points for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment. ### Claim 137 (depends on 116) The method of claim 116, further comprising the step of providing an alarm to the user via the GUI when one or more predefined occurrences related to the EPSS equipment occurs during the automatic load test. ### Claim 138 (depends on 137) The method of claim 137, wherein the one or more predefined occurrences are selected from the group comprising: one or more EPSS testing data values exceeds one or more predetermined values, one or more EPSS testing data values falls below one or more predetermined values, one or more items of EPSS equipment malfunctions, and one or more items of EPSS equipment fails to operate. ### Claim 139 A method for testing emergency power supply system (EPSS) equipment at a facility, wherein the EPSS equipment comprises at least one automatic transfer switch (ATS), and wherein the EPSS equipment is operatively connected to an EPSS management computer system for managing the EPSS equipment, comprising the steps of: receiving a test initiation signal at the EPSS management computer system indicating that an initiating ATS has been manually activated by a person for initiation of a manual load test of at one or more items of EPSS equipment, whereby the initiating ATS facilitates transfer of electrical power to a portion of the facility from utility power to emergency power; creating a data record for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment that are subject to the manual load test, wherein each data record includes EPSS testing data related to the manual load test, and wherein each data record is stored in a database; and upon creation of the data records for the one or more items of EPSS equipment, receiving the EPSS testing data from the one or more items of EPSS equipment and storing the received EPSS testing data in each respective data record for use in generating one or more test reports; whereby once the one or more items of EPSS equipment are manually deactivated by the person, the manual load test ends, power to the portion of the facility is transferred back to utility power, and one or more test reports are generated based on the stored data records. ### Claim 140 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the initiating ATS is manually activated via a dry contact point at the initiating ATS. ### Claim 141 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises at least one fuel supply and at least one fuel management system. ### Claim 142 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises switchgear. ### Claim 143 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the one or more items of EPSS equipment further comprises at least one generator. ### Claim 144 (depends on 143) The method of claim 143, wherein the EPSS testing data that is received from the at least one generator and stored in a corresponding generator data record is selected from the group comprising: a test start date and time, test end date and time, time and date generator begins running, time and date generator stops running, total engine runtime, time duration of generator cooldown, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, charging voltage, charging current, power, facility load powered, rated power, percent of rated power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, and frequency. ### Claim 145 (depends on 143) The method of claim 143, wherein the data record for the at least one generator includes a generator identifier, test identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's being tested, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 146 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the EPSS testing data that is received from the at least one ATS and stored in a corresponding ATS data record is selected from the group comprising: date and time initiation signal is received, test start date and time, date and time facility power is transferred from utility power to emergency power, time duration of transfer from utility power to emergency power, date and time facility power is transferred back from emergency power to utility power, time duration of transfer from emergency power to utility power, test end date and time, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, total current, rated current, percent of rated current, power factor, total power, facility load powered, frequency, and a percent of rated power for generators connected to the at least one ATS. ### Claim 147 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the data record for the at least one ATS further includes an ATS identifier, a test identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's being tested, the initiating ATS, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 148 (depends on 138) The method of claim 138, wherein the test initiation signal is sent from the initiating ATS through an interface module to the EPSS management computer system, wherein the interface module is operatively connected to the EPSS equipment for communication with the EPSS equipment and the EPSS management computer system. ### Claim 149 (depends on 148) The method of claim 148, wherein the interface module receives EPSS testing data from the one or more items of EPSS equipment during the manual load test and normalizes and transmits the EPSS testing data to the EPSS management computer system for use in generating the one or more test reports. ### Claim 150 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, further comprising the step of upon detection of an emergency event affecting the EPSS equipment at the facility, aborting the manual load test. ### Claim 151 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, further comprising the step of displaying live EPSS testing data to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) as the manual load test is occurring. ### Claim 152 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the EPSS management computer system maintains a calendar of historical manual load tests for viewing EPSS testing data related to past automatic manual tests. ### Claim 153 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more compliance reports for complying with regulatory testing requirements of the EPSS equipment. ### Claim 154 (depends on 153) The method of claim 153, further comprising the step of retrieving a beginning test data point, middle test data point, and ending test data point for the manual load test from the EPSS testing data stored in the data records for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment for inclusion in the one or more compliance reports. ### Claim 155 (depends on 153) The method of claim 153, wherein the regulatory testing requirements are mandated by the Joint Commission and set by the National Fire Protection Agency. ### Claim 156 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more operational reports listing one or more items from the EPSS testing data received during the manual load test for a plurality of test data points for each of the one or more items of EPSS equipment. ### Claim 157 (depends on 139) The method of claim 139, further comprising the step of providing an alarm to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) when one or more predefined occurrences related to the EPSS equipment occur during the manual load test. ### Claim 158 (depends on 157) The method of claim 157, wherein the one or more predefined occurrences are selected from the group comprising: one or more EPSS testing data values exceeds one or more predetermined values, one or more EPSS testing data values falls below one or more predetermined values, one or more items of EPSS equipment malfunctions, and one or more items of EPSS equipment fails to operate. ### Claim 159 A method for testing emergency power supply system (EPSS) equipment at a facility, wherein the EPSS equipment comprises at least one generator, and wherein the EPSS equipment is operatively connected to an EPSS management computer system for managing the EPSS equipment, comprising the steps of: receiving a test initiation command at the EPSS management computer system for initiation of a no load test of at least one generator; creating one or more data records for the at least one generator that is subject to the no load test, wherein the one or more data records include EPSS testing data related to the no load test, and wherein the one or more data records are stored in a database; and upon creation of the one or more data records for the at least one generator and receipt of an indication that the at least one generator is running, receiving the EPSS testing data from the at least one generator and storing the received EPSS testing data in the one or more data records for use in generating one or more test reports; whereby once the no load test has ended, the at least one generator is allowed to stop running and cool down, and the one or more test reports are generated based on the one or more stored data records. ### Claim 160 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the test initiation command is generated by a user via a graphical user interface (GUI). ### Claim 161 (depends on 160) The method of claim 160, wherein the test initiation command includes one or more testing parameters. ### Claim 162 (depends on 160) The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more testing parameters in the test initiation command are selected from the group comprising: duration of the test, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and an initiating generator. ### Claim 163 (depends on 162) The method of claim 162, wherein the test type is selected from the group comprising: one-time test, periodic test, and compliance test. ### Claim 164 (depends on 160) The method of claim 160, wherein the test initiation command causes the EPSS management computer system to send a signal via an interface module to the at least one generator to startup and begin running, wherein the interface module is operatively connected to the EPSS equipment and the EPSS management computer system for communicating signals between the EPSS equipment and the management computer system. ### Claim 165 (depends on 164) The method of claim 164, wherein the interface module receives EPSS testing data from the at least one generator during the no load test and normalizes and transmits the EPSS testing data to the EPSS management computer system for use in generating the one or more test reports. ### Claim 166 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the test initiation command is generated by manually activating the at least one generator such that the at least one generator starts running, and wherein the test initiation command indicates that the at least one generator is running. ### Claim 167 (depends on 166) The method of claim 166, wherein the test initiation command is sent from the at least one generator to the EPSS management computer system via an interface module, and wherein the interface module is operatively connected to the EPSS equipment and the EPSS management computer system for communicating signals between the EPSS equipment and the management computer system. ### Claim 168 (depends on 166) The method of claim 166, wherein the interface module receives EPSS testing data from the at least one generator during the no load test and normalizes and transmits the EPSS testing data to the EPSS management computer system for use in generating the one or more test reports. ### Claim 169 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the EPSS equipment further comprises at least one automatic transfer switch (ATS), at least one fuel supply, and at least one fuel management system. ### Claim 170 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the EPSS equipment further comprises switchgear. ### Claim 171 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the EPSS testing data that is received from the at least one generator and stored in the corresponding generator data record is selected from the group comprising: a test start date and time, test end date and time, time and date initiation command is received, time and date generator begins running, time and date generator stops running, total engine runtime, time duration of generator cooldown, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, charging voltage, charging current, power, rated power, percent of rated power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, and frequency. ### Claim 172 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein each data record for the at least one generator further includes a generator identifier, test identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's being tested, group of EPSS equipment to be tested, test type, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 173 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, further comprising the step of upon detection of an emergency event affecting the EPSS equipment at the facility, aborting the no load test. ### Claim 174 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, further comprising the step of displaying live EPSS testing data to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) as the no load test is occurring. ### Claim 175 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the EPSS management computer system maintains a calendar of historical no load tests for viewing EPSS testing data related to past no load tests. ### Claim 176 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more compliance reports for complying with regulatory testing requirements of the EPSS equipment. ### Claim 177 (depends on 176) The method of claim 176, further comprising the step of retrieving a beginning test data point, middle test data point, and ending test data point for the no load test from the EPSS testing data stored in the data records for the at least one tested generator for inclusion in the one or more compliance reports. ### Claim 178 (depends on 176) The method of claim 176, wherein the regulatory testing requirements are mandated by the Joint Commission and set by the National Fire Protection Agency. ### Claim 179 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, wherein the one or more test reports comprise one or more operational reports listing one or more items from the EPSS testing data received during the no load test for a plurality of test data points for the at least one tested generator. ### Claim 180 (depends on 159) The method of claim 159, further comprising the step of providing an alarm to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) when one or more predefined occurrences related to the EPSS equipment occur during the no load test. ### Claim 181 (depends on 180) The method of claim 180, wherein the one or more predefined occurrences are selected from the group comprising: one or more EPSS testing data values exceeds one or more predetermined values, one or more EPSS testing data values falls below one or more predetermined values, one or more items of EPSS equipment malfunctions, and one or more items of EPSS equipment fails to operate. ### Claim 182 A method for utilizing an emergency event as a load test for purposes of complying with testing requirements involving the operation of emergency power supply system (EPSS) equipment at a facility, wherein the EPSS equipment is operatively connected to an EPSS management computer system for managing the EPSS equipment at the facility, comprising the steps of: upon initiation of the emergency event, detecting the emergency event via the EPSS management computer system; creating one or more data records for each item of EPSS equipment affected by the emergency event, wherein the one or more data records include EPSS operational data related to the emergency event, and wherein the one or more data records are stored in a database; receiving the EPSS operational data from the each item of EPSS equipment affected by the emergency event and storing the received EPSS operational data in each respective data record; and upon completion of the emergency event, generating one or more emergency reports based on the stored EPSS operational data for each item of EPSS equipment affected by the emergency event. ### Claim 183 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the emergency event comprises a loss of utility power at the facility. ### Claim 184 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the EPSS equipment includes one or more generators. ### Claim 185 (depends on 184) The method of claim 184, further comprising the step of if the emergency event satisfies certain predefined criteria, using the one or more emergency reports as one or more generator compliance test reports to satisfy one or more EPSS testing requirements. ### Claim 186 (depends on 185) The method of claim 185, wherein the certain predefined criteria include a required run time of one or more generators subject to the emergency event and a required output load by the one or more generators. ### Claim 187 (depends on 184) The method of claim 184, wherein for a generator, the received EPSS operational data that is stored in a corresponding generator data record is selected from the group comprising: emergency event start date and time, emergency event end date and time, time and date generator begins running, time and date generator stops running, total engine runtime, time duration of generator cooldown, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, charging voltage, charging current, power, facility load powered, rated power, percent of rated power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, and frequency. ### Claim 188 (depends on 184) The method of claim 184, wherein the one or more data records comprises one or more generator data records including a generator identifier, emergency event identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's subject to the emergency event, group of EPSS equipment subject to the emergency event, and a creation date and time of the particular one or more data record. ### Claim 189 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the EPSS equipment includes one or more automatic transfer switches (ATS's). ### Claim 190 (depends on 189) The method of claim 189, further comprising the step of if the emergency event satisfies certain predefined criteria, using the one or more emergency reports as one or more ATS compliance test reports to satisfy one or more EPSS testing requirements. ### Claim 191 (depends on 190) The method of claim 190, wherein the certain predefined criteria include a transfer by one or more ATS's of facility power from utility power to emergency power and a transfer by the one or more ATS's of facility power back to utility power from emergency power. ### Claim 192 (depends on 189) The method of claim 189, wherein for an ATS, the received EPSS operational data that is stored in a corresponding ATS data record is selected from the group comprising: emergency event start date and time, date and time facility power is transferred from utility power to emergency power, time duration of transfer from utility power to emergency power, date and time facility power is transferred back from emergency power to utility power, time duration of transfer from emergency power to utility power, emergency event end date and time, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, total current, rated current, percent of rated current, power factor, total power, facility load powered, frequency, and a percent of rated power for generators connected to the at least one ATS. ### Claim 193 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the one or more data records comprises one or more ATS data records including an ATS identifier, an emergency event identifier, facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's subject to the emergency event, group of EPSS equipment subject to the emergency event, and a creation date and time of the particular one or more data record. ### Claim 194 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the EPSS equipment includes one or more fuel supplies and one or more fuel management systems. ### Claim 195 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the EPSS equipment includes switchgear. ### Claim 196 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the testing requirements are mandated by the Joint Commission and set by the National Fire Protection Agency for ensuring the EPSS equipment is capable of operating correctly during an emergency event. ### Claim 197 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of retrieving a beginning test data point, middle test data point, and ending test data point for the emergency event from the EPSS operational data stored in the data records of each item of EPSS equipment subject to the emergency event for inclusion in the one or more emergency reports. ### Claim 198 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, wherein the EPSS operational data is received from each item of EPSS equipment at an interface module that is operatively connected to the EPSS equipment and the EPSS management computer system, and wherein the interface module normalizes and transmits the EPSS operational data to the EPSS management computer system for use in generating the one or more emergency reports. ### Claim 199 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of displaying live EPSS operational data to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) as the emergency event is occurring. ### Claim 200 (depends on 182) The method of claim 182, further comprising the step of providing an alarm to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) when one or more predefined occurrences related to the EPSS equipment occur during the emergency event. ### Claim 201 (depends on 200) The method of claim 200, wherein the one or more predefined occurrences are selected from the group comprising: one or more EPSS operational data values exceeds one or more predetermined values, one or more EPSS operational data values falls below one or more predetermined values, one or more items of EPSS equipment malfunctions, and one or more items of EPSS equipment fails to operate. ### Claim 202 For an emergency power supply system (EPSS) that supplies emergency electrical power to a protected facility in the event of a power outage of electrical power by a utility, a method for maintaining equipment of the EPSS in a state of compliance with requirements involving the operation of the EPSS equipment under predetermined conditions for predetermined times, the EPSS equipment comprising at least one generator and at least one automatic transfer switch (ATS), comprising the steps of: providing an emergency power management system (EPMS) that is coupled for data communications with the EPSS equipment, the EPMS including a management computer system operative for managing operational characteristics of the EPSS equipment with automatically configurable management software, the management computer system including a computer program operative to receive signals from the EPSS equipment indicative of status of the EPSS equipment and to provide signals to control the operation of the EPSS equipment including the testing of the EPSS equipment; in response to a power outage event that causes the startup of the at least one generator by the at least one ATS, providing signals to the EPMS management computer system indicating the power outage event, the EPMS management computer system creating and storing data records corresponding to a time of initiation of the power outage event, the nature of the event as a power outage event, operating parameters of the EPSS equipment during the power outage event, and a time of termination of the power outage event and return of utility electrical power to the protected facility; in response to an automatic test event, providing signals from the EPMS management computer system to the EPSS equipment to startup the at least one generator and run a test, the EPMS management computer system creating and storing data records corresponding to a time of initiation of the automatic test event, the nature of the event as an automatic test event, operating parameters of the EPSS equipment during the automatic test event, and a time of termination of the automatic test event; in response to a manual test signal from an item of EPSS equipment indicating a manual test event initiated by a person, the EPMS management computer system creating and storing data records corresponding to a time of initiation of the manual test event, the nature of the event as a manual test event, operating parameters of the EPSS equipment during the manual test event, and a time of termination of the manual test event; cumulating operational data by the EPMS management computer system corresponding to the operating parameters of the EPSS equipment for power outage events, automatic test events, and manual test events; and based on the cumulated operational data, providing an output from the EPMS as evidentiary data in support of a submission that the EPSS equipment has complied with said predetermined operational requirements. ### Claim 203 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the predetermined operational requirements are mandated by the Joint Commission and set by the National Fire Protection Agency. ### Claim 204 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein for the at least one generator the operating parameters are selected from the group comprising: time and date generator begins running, time and date generator stops running, total engine runtime, time duration of generator cooldown, oil pressure, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, charging voltage, charging current, power, facility load powered, rated power, percent of rated power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, and frequency. ### Claim 205 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein for the at least one ATS the operating parameters are selected from the group comprising: date and time facility power is transferred from utility electrical power to generator power, time duration of transfer from utility electrical power to generator power, date and time facility power is transferred back from generator power to utility electrical power, time duration of transfer from generator power to utility electrical power, three-phase voltage, three-phase current, total current, rated current, percent of rated current, power factor, total power, facility load powered, frequency, and a percent of rated power for generators connected to the at least one ATS. ### Claim 206 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the test comprises a load test such that facility power is transferred from utility electrical power to generator, and wherein the at least one generator supplies generator power to a portion of the protected facility. ### Claim 207 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the test comprises a no load test such that facility power remains supplied by utility electrical power during the no load test. ### Claim 208 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the EPSS equipment further comprises at least one fuel supply and at least one fuel management system. ### Claim 209 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the EPSS equipment further comprises switchgear. ### Claim 210 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein data record for the at least one generator further includes a generator identifier, event identifier, protected facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's subject to the event, group of EPSS equipment subject to the event, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 211 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein each data record for the at least one ATS further includes an ATS identifier, event identifier, protected facility identifier, user information, identifier of one or more EPSS's subject to the event, group of EPSS equipment subject to the event, and a creation date and time of the data record. ### Claim 212 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the EPMS further includes an interface module for providing communications between the EPSS equipment and the management computer system. ### Claim 213 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, further comprising the step of displaying live EPSS operating parameters to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) as the event is occurring. ### Claim 214 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the management computer system maintains a schedule of automatic test events for running tests of the EPSS equipment according to a calendar of automatic test events. ### Claim 215 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the EPSS management computer system maintains a calendar of historical power outage events, automatic test events, and manual test events for viewing EPSS testing data related to past power outage events, automatic test events, and manual test events. ### Claim 216 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, wherein the output from the EPMS is a compliance report indicating that the EPSS equipment has complied with the predetermined operational requirements. ### Claim 217 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, further comprising the step of retrieving a beginning data point, middle data point, and ending data point from the EPSS operating parameters for each of the power outage events, automatic test events, and manual test events for inclusion in the output from the EPMS. ### Claim 218 (depends on 202) The method of claim 202, further comprising the step of providing an alarm to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) when one or more predefined occurrences related to the EPSS equipment occur during a power outage event, automatic test event, or manual test event. ### Claim 219 (depends on 218) The method of claim 218, wherein the one or more predefined occurrences are selected from the group comprising: one or more EPSS data values exceeds one or more predetermined values, one or more EPSS data values falls below one or more predetermined values, one or more items of EPSS equipment malfunctions, and one or more items of EPSS equipment fails to operate.