Before you start
- Document essential functions, operating periods, resources and applicable component limits before work starts.
- Isolate energy sources, verify protective devices and identify work reserved for qualified trades.
A · Foundations of self-reliant living · 12–18 MIN
Define which services must work independently and for how long
For “Define which services must work independently and for how long”, you check the required values, the limits of each component and the conditions at the installation site. You then record the result, reserve and an independent backup.
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Lesson guide
Procedure
Prepare, complete each step and verify the result.
Success criteria
- Target, period and boundary for define which services must work independently and for how long recorded
- Inputs and outputs measured with units
- Sequence and polarity checked against data sheets
Practical task
- Complete “Step 1” and record every value with unit and operating condition.
- Name the stop condition and the safe fallback before continuing.
If conditions change
- Reduce demand or test a smaller isolated system before increasing capacity.
- Use a documented safe fallback when a component, resource or measurement is uncertain.
Detect and correct errors
- A value without unit or operating condition must be measured again and recorded.
- On heat, smell, vibration, leakage or unstable readings: stop, isolate and identify the cause before restart.
Learning objectives
- For power, water, heat and food, write down what must keep working and for how many days.
- Record the required supplies, resupply options, maintenance work and the person able to operate each system.
- Measure the result and compare it with the permitted limits
What to check
For power, water, heat and food, write down what must keep working and for how many days. Record the required supplies, resupply options, maintenance work and the person able to operate each system.
REAL SYSTEM VIEW + TECHNICAL DETAIL 1/1
Physical system boundary
For power, water, heat and food, write down what must keep working and for how many days. Record the required supplies, resupply options, maintenance work and the person able to operate each system.
REAL SYSTEM VIEW
The scene shows how heat, water, food, energy and health set real limits.
Dependencies and limits
Start with a written inventory of people, essential functions, resources and the longest tolerable interruption. Separate comfort from health and safety.
Plan in the right order
Work in layers: reduce demand first, size stocks and generation second, then test an independent fallback. Record every figure with date, measurement method and assumptions.
Measure, maintain and switch to backup
Judge each solution by capacity, duration, resupply and operability. A system is only as resilient as its scarcest resource and the person operating it under pressure.
Worked calculation or decision
“Seven days of drinking water and lighting” can be tested. “Indefinitely self-reliant” is not a useful plan without winter figures, resupply and spare parts.
PROCEDURE
Carry out the lesson step by step
- 01 · Step 1
For power, water, heat and food, write down what must keep working and for how many days.
- 02 · Step 2
Record the required supplies, resupply options, maintenance work and the person able to operate each system.
- 03 · Check the result
Measure the result, record its unit and operating condition, and compare it with the permitted limit for the component before continuing.
Materials and tools
- Demand and risk log
- Meter or manufacturer data
- Calendar and maintenance list
- Labelled reserve containers
Safety and stop conditions
- Never make essential medical equipment depend on one DIY solution.
- On gas smell, smoke, abnormal heat or damaged wiring, shut down, keep clear and call qualified help.
Typical mistakes
- Using the headline value for “Define which services must work independently and for how long” without checking its unit and operating condition
- Buying or connecting components before compatibility and protection limits are documented
- Treating nominal capacity, peak output or one favourable measurement as continuously usable supply
- Continuing after heat, smell, vibration, leakage, contamination or unstable readings appears
Final checklist
- Target, period and boundary for define which services must work independently and for how long recorded
- Inputs and outputs measured with units
- Sequence and polarity checked against data sheets
- Losses, temperature, season and reserve included
- Isolation and stop condition tested before full load
- Result, anomalies and next inspection entered in the log
DECISION CHECK
The measured result for “Define which services must work independently and for how long” differs from the planning value and one stop indicator appears. What comes next?
- Average it with the best previous reading
- Stop, isolate the affected path, identify the cause and repeat one controlled step
- Raise the fuse or alarm threshold
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop, isolate the affected path, identify the cause and repeat one controlled step
The worked reference was: “Seven days of drinking water and lighting” can be tested. “Indefinitely self-reliant” is not a useful plan without winter figures, resupply and spare parts. A stop indicator invalidates continued operation until its cause and the relevant limit are resolved.