Create a services map
Mark potable water, drainage, heating, gas, power, communications and ventilation. Add shut-offs, protective devices, pumps and backflow protection. Assign responsibility and clear operating information to every component.
Emergency preparedness · 18 min
Map building services and hazards
Services, storage, fuels and plant rooms influence whether a location is suitable.
A basement may appear suitable yet be compromised by gas lines, heating plant, flood-prone electrics or sewer backflow. A system map shows what serves the room and what can threaten it.
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Decision compass
Decide safely
Four questions lead from observation to a clear, safer action.
What needs to be clarified now?
What must I notice first?
- Record household needs, dependencies, current official information and available safe locations.
- Agree responsibilities, communication rules and a fallback before time pressure develops.
Remember: Observe → assess → choose a safer option → act.
Supply, isolation, maintenance and possible release are mapped together.
Learning goals
- Map services on the plan
- Identify hazardous adjacencies
- Plan safe isolation and maintenance
Hazardous combinations
Fuels, combustion, batteries, water and electrical distribution need separation, protection and appropriate rooms. Engines or generators must never operate in an occupied shelter because of exhaust and fire risk. Drainage pipes over sleeping areas are also problematic.
Operation during failure
Document what remains open, closed or inoperative during a power failure. Practise only safe, intended user operations. Work on gas, fixed electrical systems or drainage belongs with qualified professionals.
Practical check
- Mark every service on the plan
- Label isolation points
- Separate fuels and combustion
- Document failure behaviour
- Assign specialist responsibilities
Important
- Never run combustion engines in occupied space
- Do not install batteries without protection and ventilation design
- Do not ignore sewer backflow risk
Decision training
Where should a petrol generator operate?
- AInside the shelter
- BOutside at a safe distance and according to manufacturer instructions
- CIn the stairwell
Show answer
Correct: B. Exhaust and fire risk make indoor operation life-threatening.