[Seasun]

The power went out at about 8:00 pm tonight at the SE tower of Harbor Steps apartments (about 20 stories). Still out as of 10:35 pm. Not a big deal - assuming it goes back on reasonably soon - but talking to a couple of residents hanging out on 1st Ave - there were no functioning emergency lights in the corridors or stairwells they used. This really surprised me so I asked a couple different times to make sure I understood that the lights are present but not working.

This one woman's husband was stuck in one of the glass elevators facing 1st Ave. He was only 1 or 2 floors above the lobby so he could wave to us on the sidewalk and talk to his wife via cell. I'm surprised a back-up generator didn't allow the elevators to slowly descend to the lobby and just held there. Every building is different but this is a pretty modern tower.

I'm mainly writing this because it's a good reminder to check back-up systems where we live and work. Luckily I don't think there was any danger in this situation but that's not always the case.

[mSeattle]

Interesting.

[Seasun]

Just walked around the building - 2 Holmes Electric vans in the loading dock. Elevator lobbies and main lobby lights are on along with the elevators but still no lights on in any units as of 11:55pm. Sucks to go to bed with no electricity - especially if you have an early morning meeting.

[Seasun]

Power is still out almost 24 hours later. Dropped by on my way home and front desk said that electrical gear failed in such a way that both normal and emergency power went down - not supposed to happen folks. They did manage to get power to at least elevator lobbies and maybe stairwells. Large generator being set-up next to where the car flew off 1st Avenue a couple days ago - maybe jinxed?. Huge cables being strung through windows just off the reception area - barely visible in photo on pavement. Regular power might be back on Tuesday according to the front desk.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/generator.jpg

[James Bond Agent 007]

Damn that sucks. :(

[Seasun]

I know the suspense was hard to take on this exciting thread - the power was restored yesterday afternoon, 6 days of no regular power (Thursday night to Wednesday afternoon). The only other noteworthy item that I'm aware of on this is that the fuel delivery guy didn't arrive on time Sunday morning and the huge generator RAN OUT OF FUEL! I hope that I'd double check the fuel delivery plan and make sure his alarm clock was set to avoid blacking out a 24 story apartment tower.

[Dr. Smoke]

Multiple systems failure.

Obviously the electrical system was maldesigned, and apparently malinstalled. And the City didn't catch it at construction. Holmes obviously lacks the depth of experience to address a problem like this, as repair should never take 6 days, no matter what. And even the lackadaisical backup generator was mismanaged.

Undisciplined.

The more complex and extended our systems become, the more fragile they become. Even the slightest anomaly can trigger a major chain-reaction of events, and yet this is not recognized by designers. I know they design for efficiency and all, but it ends up being delicate and fragile.

Personally I deplore this, and would move somewhere else. They have clearly failed a key survivability test. Maybe they think that nothing will ever go wrong?