The term "fail safe" refers to a safety mechanism designed to automatically shut down or switch to a backup system in the event of a failure. Interestingly, the spelling of this phrase may seem counterintuitive as the word "safe" is not spelled as one would normally expect. In phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /feɪl seɪf/, with the emphasis on the first syllable of "fail" and the second syllable of "safe". This irregular spelling is due to the influence of the original aviation terminology, where "safe" was spelled as a single word: "safeside."
Fail safe is an adjective and noun that refers to a system or process designed to prevent or minimize the consequences of a failure or malfunction. Originally a term used in engineering and technology, it has now extended to other fields like medicine and finance. As an adjective, it describes something that has been designed to automatically activate an alternative response or backup measure when it detects a failure.
As a noun, fail safe refers to a mechanism or feature that ensures the safety or reliability of a system even in the event of a failure. It serves as a safeguard against potential disasters or accidents by providing a backup plan or shutting down harmful processes.
The concept of fail safe revolves around the idea of anticipating and mitigating potential failures proactively. It typically involves redundancy, where multiple components are used to perform the same function and automatically switch to an alternate component if one fails. Fail safe systems are designed to detect failures through sensors, monitors, or feedback mechanisms, and then trigger a predetermined response or activate a backup system to prevent major negative consequences or harm.
This term is also commonly used metaphorically to describe actions or decisions taken in various contexts to minimize risk and ensure a contingency plan in case of failure. In general, a fail-safe approach aims to keep things running safely and smoothly even when unexpected circumstances or faults occur.
The term "fail-safe" originated in the field of engineering, particularly in the context of systems and processes that are designed to automatically prevent or minimize damage or failures. The word "fail" comes from the Latin word "fallere", meaning "to deceive" or "to disappoint". "Safe", on the other hand, originated from the Middle English word "saf" or "safte", derived from Old French "sauf", which in turn came from the Latin word "salvus", meaning "unharmed" or "uninjured".
The combination of "fail" and "safe" in "fail safe" implies the idea of preventing failure or reducing its consequences in order to maintain safety and prevent harm. Over time, this term has been extended beyond engineering to describe any system or procedure that is designed to avoid or mitigate failures or errors.