Failure of Emergency Generator at Aquarius

Rita Behar (Unit 1404S) has formally requested that the Aquarius Board of Directors investigate and resolve the Emergency Generator failure that occurred during a recent power outage. The communication is introduced by an Executive Summary, followed by her full statement.

Executive Summary:

On August 9, 2026, during a power outage from approximately 7:30 PM to 9:45 PM, the South Tower’s emergency generator failed to operate, leaving service elevators, hallways, and stairwells without emergency lighting. The incident created a serious life-safety hazard, particularly in the event of a nighttime evacuation, fire, medical emergency, or other situation requiring safe access and egress.

According to Unit Owner Rita Behar (1014S), this is not an isolated incident; similar emergency power failures have reportedly occurred repeatedly without a permanent resolution. The owner has requested that the Board of Directors and Management promptly determine and document the root cause of the failure and provide maintenance, inspection, and testing records for the emergency generator and related systems in both the North and South Towers.

The owner further requests confirmation from a qualified, licensed generator contractor regarding the operational condition of all emergency backup systems, together with a specific corrective-action plan and timeline for repair, testing, and measures to prevent recurrence.

Given the potential consequences of inadequate emergency lighting and backup power, the matter should be treated as an immediate life-safety priority. The Board and Management are urged to preserve all relevant records and provide residents with a prompt, substantive response and corrective-action plan rather than postponing action until a future Board meeting.

August 10, 2026

To: The Board of Directors and Management of Aquarius Condominium
RE: URGENT LIFE-SAFETY CONCERN – FAILURE OF EMERGENCY GENERATOR AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING DURING AUGUST 9, 2026, POWER OUTAGE

Dear Board Members and Management,

I am writing to formally demand immediate attention to a serious life-safety issue that occurred at Aquarius Condominium on Sunday, August 9, 2026, between approximately 7:30 PM and 9:45 PM.

During this period, there was a power outage affecting both the North and South Buildings of Aquarius, as well as neighboring properties, including Trump Tower and Waves Condominium.

What is particularly alarming is that during this outage, the South Tower’s emergency generator failed to provide the necessary emergency power and lighting.

I personally observed and documented the following conditions:

• The service elevator was completely non-operational and had no lighting.
• The hallways were left without lighting.
• The stairways were left without lighting.
• The emergency generator did not appear to function as required.
• I have photographs and a video documenting these conditions.

THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE — NOT AN ORDINARY POWER OUTAGE

A power outage can happen for many reasons and may be beyond the control of the condominium. However, the purpose of an emergency generator and emergency lighting system is to ensure that residents are not left in darkness and that essential safety systems remain available when the normal electrical supply fails.

Leaving hallways and stairways without adequate lighting creates a dangerous situation. Residents may need to use the stairs during an emergency, and darkness significantly increases the risk of falls, injuries, confusion, and an inability to safely evacuate the building.

The situation is even more concerning because this has happened numerous times before.

At what point will this recurring problem be treated with the seriousness it deserves?

The Board and Management should not wait until someone is injured before taking corrective action.

I AM REQUESTING ANSWERS

I am requesting that the Board and Management provide a written response addressing the following:

1. Why did the South Tower emergency generator fail to operate properly on August 9, 2026?
2. Was the generator tested before this outage? If so, I am requesting the date of the most recent test, the name of the company or technician who performed it, and the results of that test.
3. Was the generator inspected after the August 9 failure? If not, why not?
4. Is the South Tower generator currently fully operational and capable of performing its intended emergency function?
5. Were the emergency lighting systems in the hallways and stairways tested following the outage?
6. What is the condition of the North Tower’s emergency generator and emergency lighting systems?
7. Has the condominium identified whether this is an equipment failure, maintenance issue, electrical problem, testing deficiency, or another underlying problem?
8. What immediate corrective measures are being taken?
9. What permanent measures will be implemented to prevent another failure?
10. Has a qualified, licensed generator contractor been engaged to perform a complete inspection and testing of the system?
11. Are all required inspections, tests, maintenance records, and certifications for the emergency generator and emergency lighting current and in compliance with applicable requirements?
12. Will the Board provide residents with a written report explaining what occurred and what corrective action will be taken?

THIS PROBLEM MUST NOT BE IGNORED

I want to be very clear: I am not raising this issue simply because the building was temporarily without electricity. I am raising it because the emergency systems that residents depend upon when the regular electrical system fails did not appear to function as intended.

The fact that this has occurred repeatedly makes the situation even more unacceptable.

A condominium’s emergency systems are not optional conveniences. They exist for the protection of the residents and the building. If a serious emergency were to occur during a nighttime power failure—such as a fire, medical emergency, evacuation, or other dangerous event—residents must be able to safely navigate the building.

Imagine a resident leaving an apartment during an emergency and entering a completely dark hallway or stairwell. That is precisely the situation that emergency lighting and backup power are intended to prevent.

We cannot wait for an actual injury, emergency, or tragedy before this problem is corrected.

I am therefore asking the Board to treat this matter as an urgent life-safety matter, formally document the August 9 incident, investigate the cause of the generator failure, and take immediate corrective action.

I also request that the Board review the history of previous generator failures and determine why these problems have been allowed to recur without a permanent solution.

I have photographs and a video from the August 9 outage documenting the lack of lighting and the condition of the service elevator. These materials can be provided to the Board and Management and should be retained as part of the documentation of this incident.

Please provide a written response and corrective-action plan, including the anticipated timeline for inspection, repairs, testing, and confirmation that the emergency systems are fully operational.

This matter should not be postponed until the next Board meeting or until another power failure occurs. The appropriate time to correct an emergency-system failure is before the next emergency—not after it.

I look forward to receiving a prompt and substantive response.

Sincerely,

Rita Behar (1014S)
Unit Owner
Aquarius Condominium

.o0o.