Generators

Home/ The Event/ Survival Guides/ The Survival Guide/ Generators

SideBurn does not provide onsite electricity. If you need it please bring it! Do what you can to mitigate sound, and be considerate of your neighbors. If someone raises concerns about your generator use, work together to come up with a solution. Consider operating times and your proximity to other tents. Use our generator and fuel storage checklist below to ensure you are using them safely.

Generator exhaust should not be positioned near or in tents due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not run generators or power cords across walking or driving paths, and if you’re placing your generator in a wooded area, ensure it’s positioned safely and responsibly.

For those of you powering small electronics like a cell phone, or health-related items such as a CPAP machine, consider bringing a fully charged portable power station or solar panel charger. These are great alternatives to support your needs if a generator feels like overkill.

SideBurn does have generators at the HUB and in certain areas, however it will not be for general camp use. This power is reserved for activities in the HUB, Centre Camp, and to support our Safety teams.

Generator Storage

  • Keep at least 10 feet away from anything flammable while running (baffle boxes excepted).
  • Baffle boxes must provide appropriate ventilation and offset to reduce fire risk.
  • Do not store generators near gasoline or other fuels while running.
  • Store outdoors in a well-ventilated area–never inside tents or carports.
  • Always turn off the generator before refuelling.

Gasoline Storage

  • Keep containers closed at all times, except when refilling.
  • Store 10 ft away from generator, flames, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric motors and other sources of ignition.
  • Store outdoors in a well-ventilated area–never inside tents or carports.
  • No smoking near fuel.
  • Use only approved metal or plastic gasoline containers, matching the colour to the contents:
    • Red for gasoline
    • Yellow for diesel
    • Blue for kerosene
    • Anything else for margarita mix (just kidding–please label clearly!)
Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.