Liz from Chicago. During my client's annual fire suppression system test the emergency pumps ran at full load simultaneously for about 12 minutes. That created a demand spike that set the billing demand for the month and the ratchet for the following year. My client authorized the test and the load was real. Is there any basis for a demand adjustment on an authorized equipment test?
Billing demand set by an equipment test I authorized — can I dispute it
Karen from Boise. Some tariffs specifically address demand spikes from mandatory safety tests. Fire suppression pump tests in particular are a known demand event. Check the tariff for language about emergency equipment tests or mandatory safety tests.
Liz again. The tariff has a section on unusual conditions. It says demand created by extraordinary circumstances beyond the customer's reasonable control may be subject to review. Does a mandatory fire suppression test qualify as beyond reasonable control?
Karen again. Arguable. The test is mandatory by code — the client had no choice about conducting it. The timing might have been controllable but the load itself was not optional. I would file the dispute and let the utility make the determination. That tariff language is broader than most.
Nancy from St. Louis. I handled a similar fire pump test situation. The utility's position was that the timing of the test was within the customer's control even if the test itself was required. They denied the demand adjustment on that basis.
Nancy that is the likely counterargument. Is there a way to preempt it?
Nancy again. Going forward coordinate with the utility's commercial accounts group before scheduling the annual test. Some utilities will flag the test window in their billing system and manually review that period's demand reading. It requires a relationship but it is better than filing a dispute after the fact.