A Tampa Bay hurricane that knocks out grid power for 48–72 hours is a multi-thousand-dollar product loss event for an unprepared cold-side operator. Generator sizing, fuel supply, ATS coordination, and pre-season runbook prep — here is the working playbook.
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Tampa Bay sits in the historical path of major Gulf storms.
Grid power outages during major storms in Tampa Bay have lasted 24–120+ hours in recent storm years. Walk-in coolers hold product temperature for 6–12 hours without power; walk-in freezers 18–36 hours. Beyond those windows, product loss escalates.
Generator backup is the difference between a manageable storm event and a total product write-off. Pre-season prep is the difference between a generator that runs and a generator that won’t start.
Walk-in cooler typical electrical load: 2–6 kW running, 8–18 kW peak (compressor start).
Walk-in freezer typical electrical load: 4–9 kW running, 12–25 kW peak.
Reach-in coolers and freezers: 0.5–2 kW running each.
Ice machines: 1–3 kW running each.
Rooftop A/C 5-ton: 6–9 kW running, 20–35 kW peak.
For a typical Tampa Bay restaurant with one walk-in cooler, one walk-in freezer, three reach-ins, an ice machine, and 5-ton kitchen A/C: continuous load roughly 12–20 kW; peak load with simultaneous starts 50–80 kW. Standby generator sizing typically 25–45 kW for the working load with appropriate margin and starting-current management.
Diesel: 24–72 hours typical run-time on integral fuel tank. Refueling required for extended outages. Diesel is the dominant fuel for portable and standby commercial generators.
Natural gas: continuous run-time as long as gas pressure holds. Tampa Bay gas distribution is generally reliable through storm events but not guaranteed. Standby gas generators eliminate fuel logistics for the duration the gas system stays up.
Propane: bridges between diesel logistics and gas-supply continuity. Tank-fed propane gives 24–120+ hours depending on tank size. Refill required for extended outages but supply chain holds up better than diesel during storm conditions.
For Tampa Bay commercial operators, natural gas standby is the working answer where gas service is available; diesel for portable backup and where gas service isn’t available.
ATS senses grid loss, signals generator start, switches load from utility to generator, and reverses on grid restoration.
Sizing: ATS rated to the full building electrical service, not just the generator-backed load. Service-rated ATS for installations downstream of the meter.
Coordination: generator start time typically 8–20 seconds. Compressors should not auto-restart immediately; sequenced restart through the ATS or building controls reduces simultaneous-start current spikes.
For Tampa Bay commercial operators with multiple cold-side systems: sequenced restart staging spreads the inrush current across 30–60 seconds. Reduces generator overload risk and avoids tripping the ATS or the generator main breaker.
Generator load test: full-load run-test under simulated grid loss. Verify ATS transfer, verify generator capacity at full building load, verify coolant and oil levels under load.
Battery test: starting battery condition. Replace any battery 4+ years old.
Fuel system: tank fill verification, fuel polishing if diesel sat through summer (Florida heat ages diesel quickly), fuel-line and filter inspection.
Electrical: ATS function test, transfer time measurement, control wire inspection, conduit corrosion check (coastal sites especially).
Cooling/exhaust: generator cooling system inspection, exhaust path clearance, debris removal from intake screens.
For Suncoast service-contract customers, pre-season generator and refrigeration prep is integrated into the May PM cycle.
Rooftop unit tie-downs: verify mounting and tie-down hardware. Code requirements have tightened post-2017 for Florida coastal counties.
Outdoor condensing unit anchorage: equipment pad and unit anchorage to specified wind ratings. Loose units become projectiles.
Refrigerant line protection: line covers in good condition, hangers secure, line-set protection from debris impact.
Outdoor electrical disconnects: NEMA 3R minimum, 4X for coastal. Watertight conduit fittings, sealed cable entries.
Drain pans and condensate lines: clear and routed for storm-water volumes.
For coastal Pinellas and Tampa coastal sites, this hardening matters more — wind-driven rain and storm-surge consequences are larger.
Top off all fuel: generator tanks, propane tanks, diesel storage. Fuel availability tightens 48 hours before landfall.
Test-run generator: 30-minute run under load. Last opportunity to catch start-system issues.
Confirm ColdSentry alarm coverage and contact list current.
Pre-cool walk-in coolers and freezers below normal setpoints by 2–3°F. Adds thermal margin if power loss extends beyond generator runtime.
Stock spare belt, fuel filter, oil. Top off coolant.
Document equipment status pre-storm: temperatures, refrigerant pressures, electrical readings. Reference baseline for post-storm inspection.
Walk the property: secure or remove anything that could become wind-borne debris.
Generator runs through grid-loss period. Monitor remotely via ColdSentry where applicable; physical inspection only when safe.
Walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer doors stay closed. No checking on product mid-storm.
Non-essential A/C: minimize loads to extend generator fuel supply if extended runtime is expected.
Communication: maintain contact with service contractor and fuel supplier. If grid is out 24+ hours, refueling logistics matter.
For service-contract customers with critical refrigeration, Suncoast monitors ColdSentry alarms during the storm and dispatches once roads are passable and conditions are safe.
Equipment-by-equipment walk-down before re-energizing. Visual inspection of every unit: water intrusion, debris, displaced equipment, electrical damage.
Wet equipment: do not energize. Dry-out and inspection before restart. Submerged compressors require replacement, not just drying.
Generator-to-grid transfer: ATS handles automatically; verify proper transfer and shed any temporary loads added during the storm.
Compressor restart: crank-case heaters energized 8–12 hours before compressor start on systems that have them. Manual sequenced restart on systems that don’t.
Refrigerant top-up: leaks from storm stress show up in 24–48 hours. Schedule follow-up service.
Documentation: refrigerant added, equipment serviced, repairs done. Insurance claims and AIM Act §82.157 leak rate calculations both want this data.
Depends on product value, operating model, and risk tolerance. For mission-critical refrigeration (high-value product, restaurant operations during peak season), generator backup is risk management. For low-risk applications, ice and dry-ice contingency may be adequate.
Natural gas where gas service is available and reliable. Diesel for portable or where gas isn’t available. Propane for medium-term backup.
Sized to continuous running load plus appropriate starting-current margin. A small Tampa Bay restaurant: 25–45 kW typical. Larger operations scale up. Generator load study is worth the investment for proper sizing.
Generator install is typically a separate scope from refrigeration. We coordinate with electrical contractors and generator specialists for integrated installations. Cold-side equipment hardening, pre-season prep, and post-storm restart are within our scope.
Portable generators (towable diesel, smaller gasoline) bridge to standby generator capacity. Adequate for very small operations or temporary backup. Not a substitute for properly-sized standby generation on commercial cold-side loads.
Suncoast Cold Systems services commercial refrigeration and HVAC across Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Temple Terrace, and Wesley Chapel. 24/7 dispatch. Specific response targets are agreed in writing for service-contract customers, by site tier and severity. State Certified Class A Air Conditioning Contractor (FL #CAC1824642), EPA 608 Universal, OSHA 30 Construction.
Storm-season service economics and AIM Act phase-down impact.
Non-storm power-event prep and response.
Service-contract response terms during storm conditions.