Keeping people working.
WHAT MUST KEEP RUNNING
Network equipment Computers, or the ability to charge them Lighting Communications
WHY NETWORK EQUIPMENT FIRST
It is low-consumption and everything depends on it.
WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY
A small inverter covering the router, switches and access points keeps connectivity alive cheaply.
WHAT LAPTOPS PROVIDE
Their own batteries, which changes the requirement substantially.
WHAT THAT IMPLIES
An office on laptops needs far less backup than one on desktop machines.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Replacing desktops with laptops as they are renewed.
WHAT LIGHTING REQUIRES
Efficient lamps, and enough of them on backup to work safely.
WHAT TO PUT ON BACKUP
Task lighting rather than full illumination.
WHAT TO EXCLUDE
Air conditioning, in most cases.
WHY
It would dominate the system cost.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT HEAT INSTEAD
Fans, which consume a fraction of the power.
WHAT TO PLAN FOR EXTENDED OUTAGES
Whether staff work from elsewhere Whether hours shift How work is coordinated
WHAT TO PREPARE
Mobile data as a connectivity fallback.
WHY
Fixed connections fail with local power.
WHAT TO PROTECT SPECIFICALLY
Anything holding data: servers, network storage.
WHAT TO ARRANGE
Automatic shutdown before batteries are exhausted.
