George: that is an intresting story, it cannot happen here however. All the control boards are on generator power, they are also on UPS power. When the lights go off the control board does not even notice it. The generators come on within 15 seconds or so. They are tested every week.
One thing I have learned from this job is that criminals love the dark. Example, the law states that a "night light" shall be provided. It is usually a 5 watt biax CF. Now the purpose of this is NOT so the inmates can see at night is is so the guards can see the inmates during counts.
Also about fires. we are required by law to have fire alarms with automatic smoke purge. What that means is if the smoke detector goes off in a unit, then a exhaust fan turns on, a makeup fan turns on, dampers open or close as needed. The AC ductwork is sometimes used to remove the smoke, it just has more air moving than during normal operation. The best part is how the State tests it. They set off a smoke bomb, yes really a smoke bomb, in the jail. The inmates are usually taken to the rec yard for this.
All in all it is an intresting job to say the least. I can take two hours to change a light bulb. First I got to drive to the building then I got to get buzzed in then got to get buzzed into the unit then got to find a spare guard to escort me then I get to the cell and find the tamperproof screws clogged up and stripped so I need to use a hammer and chisel on them. Change lamps and put new screws in to replace the ones I broke off. Oh and make damn sure I find all the broken pieces on the floor.
Just another day.
