Seattle Commercial & Industrial Electrical Contractor
Login
4826 B Street NW Suite 101 Auburn, WA 98001
Mon-Fri: 7AM- 4PM
(253) 859-2000

Category: <span>Community</span>

Kirby ElectricBlogCommunity
02 Oct 2015
0 Comments By dev@bigfin.com Community, Electric News, Electric Safety , , ,

Fall and Winter Power Outage Preparation

The last major power outage in the Pacific Northwest was 5 years ago in November 2010. A week-long deep freeze resulted in a power outage for most home owners and businesses across the state. While our winters here in the Greater Seattle area never get nearly as bad as temperature drops in other locations, it is still important to prepare for electricity shortages caused by bad weather. Here are a few power outage preparation tips to get your business or home ready for the upcoming winter weather season.

1. Prepare and Stock an Emergency Kit

This will included the essentials, and any additional needs specific to your family or employees.

  • Water: 1 gallon per person, per day and a 3 day supply minimum
  • Non-perishable food
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Medications
  • Sanitation options
  • Extra cash

2. Keep a Full Tank of Gas

Many gas stations will not be able to supply gas during a power outage unless they carry back-up generators, so it is important to keep a full tank of gas—especially when you hear that a storm is in the forecast, along with a gasoline container stored in a safe place. Even if nearby gas stations still have power during an outage, many will inevitably be out of gas if the outage is due to freezing temperatures, since trucks delivering the gas cannot make it through the ice to supply stations. Share this tip with your teams at your business to help with individual employees’ safety.

3. Don’t Forget About Pets

Businesses that are pet friendly or homes that have four-legged family members sometimes forget to stock up on additional pet food, supplies, and any medications the animals are taking. And for the pets that need electricity for heat lamps or water pumps, make sure you have a battery operated back-up option to keep them safe and happy. Scaly, furry, and feathered family members will be glad you did in the event of an emergency.

Why Power Outage Preparation Matters

While not many weather-related power outages can be prevented, they can be prepared for. Becoming knowledgeable about electricity will help alíviate some of the stress from unexpected changes in our daily routines. Keeping your business or home as close to highly functioning through an electrical outage can be a more manageable feat when you’re prepared.

Even without power outages, are your electrical systems up to par? Contact Kirby Electric for more information on upgrading your lighting, electrical panels, and other important systems to make your office or warehouse safer and more efficient throughout the year.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric, Inc. is a premier electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical construction. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team of electricians, low voltage technicians and office staff are led by senior leadership whose core philosophy is consistently delivering exceptional service. Kirby Electric offers a wide array of services to meet the needs of our customers and ensure a smooth operation of their facilities. Learn more about our services by calling 253-859-2000.

07 Apr 2015
0 Comments By dev@bigfin.com Commercial Lighting, Community ,

2015 Best of Auburn Award Goes to Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric was recently awarded the 2015 Best of Auburn Award for Commercial & Office Building Contractors. Kirby Electric is proud to accept this award that directly recognizes our reputation as a successful local business based in Auburn, WA.

Criteria for receiving the 2015 Best of Auburn Award included creating successful marketing strategies, competitive advantages, and long-term value. Additional third-party information was also gathered to evaluate the nominees. Businesses who win this annual award are honored with the recognition that they help represent the face of small business—to clients and the local community.

An Attention to Community Big and Small

Chandelier lighting inside Aston Manor Seattle
Aston Manor’s interior lighting creates a striking atmosphere

We believe in the importance of partnerships, which is why Kirby Electric is involved with organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and Master Builders Association of Pierce County.

More Than Just Electrical Systems

Kirby Electric is dedicated to providing services to commercial and industrial fields throughout the Seattle area. We’ve partnered with local businesses to meet their unique needs and find solutions for a variety of buildings, from storefronts to a storage facility.

Kirby Electric helped the classic chandelier and drop lighting come together safely and efficiently in Seattle’s Aston Manor. Additionally, Kirby ensured REI headquarters in Kent was fully equipped with outdoor lighting fixtures, indoor overhead lighting, and exit signs for safety. Our team of electricians, estimators, project managers, and office administrators are proud to help build and maintain the bright foundations that power local businesses like these.

REI headquarters in Kent
The exterior lighting at REI headquarters matches the building’s modern look

What electrical needs does your business have? You can submit an RFP online and tell us more about your upcoming electrical project, or call (253) 859-2000.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. We can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting retrofits. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote.

28 Mar 2014
0 Comments By dev@bigfin.com Community, Electric News , ,

Heavy Mountain Snow in February Means Windfall for Electric Utilities

Heavy Mountain Snow in February Means Windfall for Electric Utilities
Ross Dam / Photo by US Army Corp of Engineers

Thanks to record-breaking snow in the mountains in February, the Northwest’s electrical utilities may not be out of luck after all, according to a recent Seattle PI blog. A drier than usual start to winter had electrical companies in Seattle predicting empty mountains and empty pockets.

Much to their surprise, a sudden surplus of runoff will allow for the sale of up to $19 million worth of power for Seattle City Light, Seattle’s publicly owned electric power utility. The Northwest region has an extraordinary amount of power to sell and fortunately, Seattle customers benefit from the publicly owned electrical utilities with a zero dollar surcharge, the blog explained.

Seattle City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco was quoted in the blog as saying, “While any forecast can and will change based on how much electricity we can produce and the price we can get for that power, we are in a much better position than we were earlier in the year.”

How Much Snow Hit the Passes?

Kirby electric_mountain snowBetween mid-February and mid-March the snowpack grew 32% in Snoqualmie and as of last week was up to 108% of normal while the Harts snowpack is up to 118% of normal, the article explained.

Beaver Pass in the North Cascades, Northeast Washington and Northern Idaho all have snow well above normal.

Other Benefits of Snow Runoff

Not only does snow runoff allow for low cost hydroelectric power in the Northwest region, it also provides water to the Columbia and Yakima irrigation districts and assists young salmon upstream with a quick river flow, the blog noted.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. We can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting upgrades. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote.

(Photos via blog.seattlepi.com and by Evgeni Dinev via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

31 Dec 2013
0 Comments By dev@bigfin.com Community

Merry and Bright: Learn about Electricity over Holiday Break

Kirby Electric_Spark Museum

Looking for something educational to do over the holiday break that’s fun for the whole family? Try checking out the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham.

This innovative museum makes learning about electricity exciting with interactive exhibits, robotics workshops and an amazing collection of unique objects that showcase centuries of scientific advances in electricity.

The SPARK Museum does a great job of helping people of all ages explore the history, science and power of electricity. Objects available for viewing include Edison light bulbs; rare and original writings by renowned authors like Newton, Galileo, Volta, and Hertz; rare music boxes; early phonographs and much more.

The MegaZapper Electrical Show

Kirby Electric_lightning cageEvery Saturdays and Sunday afternoon, the SPARK Museum features the MegaZapper Electrical Show, where a 4-million-volt, nine-foot-tall MegaZapper releases bursts of purple lightning and creates booms of thunder.

The big draw is the Lightning Cage that was designed and built by famed steampunk sculptor Ric Allen. Daring souls over the age of 18 are invited to step inside the cage while it’s blasted with 4 million volts of electricity.

Details

The SPARK Museum is a nonprofit organization focused on education. It’s open Wednesday through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 11. The museum allows you to schedule tours by appointment for $7 for adults and $5 for children under 11. The MegaZapper Electrical Show is an additional $5. You can check the museum’s event calendar here.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. We can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting upgrades. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote.

(Photos via Bellingham.org and TheBellinghamHerald.com)