There are several guidelines to follow when placing a standby generator. A generator must be placed 3 feet from wood siding, 18 inches from a brick wall and 5 feet from any windows. If you place it on a platform, that platform must be fireproof. It must have a fireproof base underneath the generator. If you place the generator on the ground, it does not need a platform because one comes with the generator already attached.
A customer called me to start up a generator. When I got to his house, I noticed his platform was made of wood. Not only was his platform made of wood, it was elevated 10 feet above ground. I can understand the elevation because they live in a flood zone. But I asked the customer why they designed a platform of wood. They told me they hired an engineer to design a platform for their generator. But the engineer did not look at the guidelines by the generator company or he would have known to make it fireproof.
I asked where the engineer got his design information. Surely, the generator company did NOT give you that information. The engineer should have looked up technical information online and they would have given him the specifications. One company I know will void your warranty due to the wood platform. All they have to say is, ‘did you look it up the specs online? Did you email us? Did you call us?’
Generator companies have specific guidelines to follow for installation safety. I recommend a professional installation but if you are installing it your self, make sure you follow the generator company’s specifications to the letter. Do you have a back up power source?
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