Defect Severities

A critical defect is one that renders the system inoperative.

A critical defect has a significant and direct impact upon the safety of occupants of part, or all, of the building.

Examples of critical defects include an impaired water supply which is unable to provide water to a sprinkler system or an inoperative fire panel which is unable to warn the building occupants of fire and alert the fire brigade.

A non-critical defect is a system impairment or faulty component not likely to critically affect the operation of the system but causing a partial impairment or that creates a reduction is safety.

Examples of non-critical defects include local alarm bells not operating, or water motor alarm failures.

A non-conformance is a missing or incorrect feature that does not affect the system operation but is required to facilitate ongoing routine service.

Examples of non-conformances include missing or incorrect zone block plans and non-availability of baseline data required as part of the approved design, missing spare sprinklers, missing sprinkler guards, missing equipment locations signs, or illegible labels.