T 4.3 Failure of existing safety devices

Technical defects or external factors (e.g. ageing, improper use, deficient maintenance, manipulation, power failure) can cause safety devices to fail, with the result that their protective effect is greatly reduced or entirely lost. It can also happen that in problem areas, e.g. due to major environmental influences or especially high usage, controls and maintenance intervals are not modified as required. Once again this can result in failures of safety devices.

Examples

• Door locks can become damaged due to age or improper use.

• Fire extinguishers which are incorrectly serviced do not work properly.

• Dirty fire alarms fail to detect fires or are triggered unnecessarily.

• Keys or identity passes can become damaged due to failure to look after them in the proper manner or through wear and tear.

• Bolt contacts in doors can get stuck.

• Still images in surveillance cameras can become burned in.

• Fire protection doors are often carelessly wedged into an open position.

• Sometimes smoke alarm systems are tampered with in non-smoking zones.