Power Outages

Dalhousie's electrical system requires regular maintenance to ensure it is safe and operating efficiently.

Planned outages are scheduled in advance so that we can work safely on our system. The work may include emergency repairs, system upgrades and maintenance.

Planning an outage in advance helps avoid potential unplanned outages that can often be longer and more disruptive.

Scheduling outages provides our customers with advance notice of the impacts so you can prepare to be without power.

To select a date for a planned outage, we would look at several factors:

• Safety is always our top priority. We need to ensure the work is done as safely as possible.
• We almost always schedule the outages on weekends, and when possible, during university break periods.
• We try to choose times when there is not a major campus event (exams, open houses etc)
• Availability of crews, and personnel from Nova Scotia Power 

We try and give as much notice as possible, often choosing a potential date more than 6 months in advance. 

Facilities Management communicates to campus through a variety of ways:

Deans of impacted faculties/buildings are the main point of contact. They are directly contacted and expected to share the information throughout their area.

The President's Office, Senior Executive and Office of Research Services is informed as soon as the date is chosen. 

Facilities Management staff also contact building administrators of the affected areas. 

All outages are posted in Today@Dal as soon as a date is chosen. Today@Dal is the university's main communications vehicle for daily activities and notices on campus. Users must subscribe here Today@Dal - Dal News - Dalhousie University 

Communications Staff at Facilities Management send notices to the communications staff at impacted faculties to share in department newsletters etc. 

Facilities Management staff will work with building administrators to determine how to secure essential research and equipment.

Researchers are responsible for informing their administrators of the following:

• Need for generator (backup) power
• Assistance with proper shutdown of equipment
• Other accommodation as required.

**Once the date is chosen, it cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual research projects

Researchers are responsbile for doing the following to be aware of planned outages:

• Knowing who their building administrator is
• Checking with their administrators and/or deans offices frequently
• Following Today@Dal

All Dalhousie staff, faculty and researchers are responsible for:

• Knowing who their building administrator is
• Checking with their administrators and/or deans offices frequently to find out if there are any planned outages
• Following Today@Dal

Check with your deans office.