Quick Overview: When utility power fails in Northwest Arkansas, medical clinics and residential properties face severe operational risks. To protect hundreds of thousands of dollars in temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, clinical trial specimens, and family safety, Rick—Director of Operations at the Retina Center of Arkansas—partnered with master electrician Chris Jones of CJ’s Electric, Inc. By installing a commercial-grade Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect™ 26kW standby generator at the Fayetteville clinic and a 22kW unit at his Springdale home, Rick achieved total grid independence. Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect generators offer industry-leading motor starting power, commercial-grade Vanguard® engines, an exclusive 10-year warranty, and proud U.S. assembly in Auburn, Alabama.
Protecting Critical Medical Inventory with 26kW Standby Power
Every day, the Retina Center of Arkansas in Fayetteville treats patients facing serious, sight-threatening eye conditions. Beyond providing world-class clinical care, the 3,000-square-foot facility carries a massive operational responsibility: safeguarding hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of critical pharmaceuticals and clinical trial specimens.
To maintain medication integrity, the clinic relies on two hospital-grade, temperature-controlled refrigerators and two ultra-cold freezers—including a specialized negative 80-degree Celsius unit. For Rick, the center’s director of day-to-day operations, a power outage is not just an inconvenience. It is a potential catastrophe.
"The medications we use and the ones we’re trialing have very specific temperature requirements," Rick said. "If we had a power outage, the loss of pharmaceuticals and specimens would be catastrophic. We can never compromise patient safety or incur such significant product waste. For us, power is an absolute necessity."
To eliminate this vulnerability, Rick sought a medical-grade standby power solution. His search led him to the Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect™ 26kW standby generator and master electrician Chris Jones, owner of CJ’s Electric, Inc.
Medical Facility Standby Power Requirements & Prioritized Circuitry
When patient care and expensive clinical trials are on the line, generic equipment will not suffice. Master electrician Chris Jones designed a customized electrical blueprint for the clinic. While the commercial-grade 26kW unit has more than enough capacity to power the entire medical center, CJ’s Electric isolated the indispensable refrigerators and freezers onto a dedicated, prioritized circuit.
This custom setup ensures that even during a catastrophic regional grid failure, power is instantaneously routed to the clinic's most vital cold-storage assets.
Why the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 26kW is the Industry Standard
When choosing a medical facility standby power system, Rick conducted extensive research on major generator manufacturers before selecting the industry's most powerful air-cooled unit.
"When I compared Briggs & Stratton to Generac, the decision was easy," Rick said. "The Briggs & Stratton engines are highly rated, deliver more power, have a 10-year warranty, and are assembled in Alabama."
"The power has gone out a couple of times since we had the 26kW installed, and I didn’t have to stress about the meds at all. It’s a great weight off our shoulders." — Rick, Operations Director, Retina Center of Arkansas
The PowerProtect 26kW generator delivers unmatched engineering advantages for commercial and high-demand residential sites:
- Superior Motor Starting Power: Delivers up to 65.5 kVA of motor starting power—19% more than Generac's 26kW model—ensuring heavy compressor motors on ultra-cold freezers start effortlessly without dropping power.
- Commercial Vanguard Engine: Powered by a commercial-grade V-Twin engine engineered for continuous, heavy-duty operation during multi-day outages.
- Assembled in the USA: Built with pride in Auburn, Alabama, using global and domestic parts.
- 10-Year Comprehensive Warranty: Offers long-term peace of mind backed by complete parts, labor, and travel coverage through certified dealers.
The Choice for Critical Infrastructure: Briggs & Stratton 26kW
When lives and expensive clinical trials are on the line, generic equipment will not suffice. Rick conducted extensive research on major generator manufacturers before selecting the industry's most powerful air-cooled unit.
"When I compared Briggs & Stratton to Generac, the decision was easy," Rick said. "The Briggs & Stratton engines are highly rated, deliver more power, have a 10-year warranty, and are assembled in Alabama."
To maximize reliability, Jones designed a customized electrical blueprint for the clinic. While the commercial-grade 26kW unit has more than enough capacity to power the entire medical center, CJ’s Electric isolated the indispensable refrigerators and freezers onto a dedicated, prioritized circuit.
The investment has already proven its worth. "The power has gone out a couple of times since we had the 26kW installed, and I didn’t have to stress about the meds at all," Rick added. "It’s a great weight off our shoulders."
Ensuring Home Grid Independence and Family Safety
Impressed by the flawless execution at the clinic, Rick immediately commissioned CJ’s Electric, Inc. to install a Briggs & Stratton 22kW standby generator at his personal residence in nearby Springdale, Arkansas. While his professional goal was protecting life-saving medicine, his personal goal was protecting his family.
"I previously lived in California, and we frequently had power outages. Plus, I have an elderly parent who lives with me," Rick explained. "I wanted to have peace of mind that, if I wasn’t home, my dad would still be okay because he would have lights, air conditioning, and would be able to charge his cell phone so I could get in contact with him."
Overcoming Northwest Arkansas Power Outages and Grid Instability
Northwest Arkansas is experiencing rapid population growth and commercial development, placing severe stress on local utility infrastructure. Combined with severe seasonal thunderstorms and winter ice storms, local power outages have become increasingly frequent.
Rick’s residential 22kW generator has already navigated multiple severe storms and local grid failures. During a recent extended outage that left his entire neighborhood dark, Rick’s home remained fully operational.
"There’s a lot of new buildings and construction, and it’s putting stress on the grid, so I think a standby generator is a good idea," Rick said. "I have a checklist of things I want to get done at my home before I retire, and ensuring I always have power was a priority."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do medical facilities require dedicated standby generators?
Medical facilities store temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and clinical trial specimens that require continuous refrigeration (often down to -80°C). A medical-grade standby generator automatically restores power within seconds of a utility outage, preventing catastrophic inventory loss and maintaining regulatory compliance.
How does the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 26kW compare to Generac?
The Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 26kW offers 65.5 kVA of motor starting power—19% more peak starting capability than Generac’s 26kW unit. Powered by a commercial-grade Vanguard V-Twin engine, it features an available 10-year comprehensive warranty and is assembled in Auburn, Alabama.
Can a 22kW standby generator power a full home during grid failures?
Yes. A 22kW standby generator delivers sufficient power to run a central air conditioner, heating system, refrigeration, lights, and household electronics simultaneously, ensuring total family safety during extended utility blackouts.