Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure Tutorial

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Oct 02, 2019

Few terms carry greater importance in access control than 'fail safe' and 'fail secure'.

****** ******* ************* **** know *** ***** ******** apply, *** *** ** select ***** **** *** appropriate.

** **** ********, ** teach:

  • *** ********** ******* '**** safe' *** '**** ******' locks
  • *** **** ****** ** important
  • *********** ***** ** *** goal
  • ********** ********* *** **** secure
  • **** ** *** **** secure ********
  • ******* ****** ***** *** fail **** *** **** secure
  • ****** *********** ** ******** and ******* *** '**** safe' *** '**** ******'

*******, ***** *******,**** *** * ******** quiz.

Terms *******

***** ***** **** * specific ******* *** **** hardware. ******** ***** ********* are ***** ** ************** or **** ********, **** mean:

  • **** ****: **** ***** is *********** (*****), *** electronic ******* ****** ** released (********).
  • **** ******: **** ***** is *********** (*****), *** electronic ******* ****** ** secured (******).

***** ********* *** ****** hardware ****** *** ****** control *************, ** ****** the ********** ***** **** is **** ** **** important.

Free ****** ******

*** ************* ** ***** terms ******** ***** **** of *** **** **** apply.

'**** ******' *** '**** safe' *********** ********* ******* to ***** ******* ****, meaning ****** ****** ** most******** ********* ******* ******* ** *** times. ** ** ********* situation, ******* ****** ****** egress (** ****) **** a ********.

**** **** ******* ** chaining **** ***** **** resulted ** ******** *********, a *********** ******** ** life-safety *********** ****** **** not ***** ***** ** complicate *******.

**** ***** **** **** doors **** ****** ** equipped **** ********** ***** to ******** *********** ***** (i.e.:***** **** ** **** devices) *** ** *********** hardware ****** ** **** to '**** ****', ** cannot ** ****.

'Fail ****' ********* ********, **** '**** ******' **********

** **** *****, **** locks *** ******** ** 'fail ****'.

******* ** ******** ************, 'fail ******' ** ******** by ****. *** **** common ***** ***** **** is *** ****:

  • **** *****:***** ***** ******* ********** barriers ** *** ****** of ***** ****** * building ****, *** *** common ******** ** **** control ******, ***** * closed-door ** **** ** seal *** * ******* of ** ******** *********. It ** ********** ********* for * **** **** to ****** ****** ** a ****, *** ******** latching '**** ******' ******** is ***** ********* ** ensure * ******** **** is ****** *** **** regardless ** *****.
  • ********* *****: ** **** ******** occupancies, *** ********** *** locked ** ******* **** the *******, ** **** evacuation ****** ***** ******* and *** *********** **** harm ******. **** ******* one ** *** **** modified *** *********** ****** of ****, **** **** code ********* **** *** years ********* ** ********* among ****.

**** ****** ***********, **** jails, *******, ****** ****** care **********, ** ******* homes *** *** **** Secure ****** *********** *** are ********* ******* ********* and ***** ******* ** safe ********* ****** *** often ********.

Controlling ***** ** *** *****

*******, '**** ****' **. 'fail ******' ** * critical ****** ** ******** entry **** * ******** during ** *********.

************ ** ******* ********** could ** ****** *** of ** **** ** it ** *** ******** configured ** '**** ****'. On *** ***** ****, occupants ***** ************* **** a **** ****, ******** otherwise ********* ***** ** a ******** ** '**** secure' ** *** ******** implemented.

*** ******** ** ******** when ***** ***** ** a *** **** ** building ******, *** **** functions **** * *** role ** ****** ******** a *********** ********* ********.

Mechanical *********

***** '**** ******' ******** is ****, ************** ******* * ********** override. ** *** **** of *******, *** ******** lever **** ** **** device ******** **** ********, but ***** ***** ** electrified ******** *** ******* additional '********** *** ********' components.

*** *******, ** *** image ***** *** **** device ****** ****** **** egress **** *** ******, but * ***** ***** allows ******* ****** **** if *** ****** ** electronic ***** '***** ******':

*******, *** ********** ******** is **** * ****** of ******* ** **** access ********** *****. ** someone ***** ***** ***** a ***, ****** ** granted ******* *** '******' able ** *** *** entered. ********* ********* ******* ***********, ********** overrides ****** ** '**** forced' ****** ** ****** control ****, *** ****** system ********* ********** ******.

** * ******, *** use ** ********** ******** Keys ** ***** **** only ** ** ********* basis **** ********** *** keyholders - ** ******, these *********** ************ *** often *** ******* *** many ***-***** ** *****.

Field ************ *****

**** ********** ****** ***** can ** **** ** behave ****** '**** ****' or '**** ******'.

*** **** ****** ******* are*******, ***** ******** *** position ** ****** ** dipswitches ****** *** *** lock ********* **** ***** fails:

Designing ******* **** **** ********** *****

*** **** ********, *** default ******** ** ** 'fail ****', ****** ********* noted ** ****** *********, hardware ********* (*** ***** below), ** ***** *********** plans ** '**** ****** required'.

*** ***** ******** ** this *********** **** **** according ** *** ******, but ***** ******** ** 'fail ******' ***** ** limited, **** *** ****** always ****** *** ** an ********* ** ******* manner:

Maglocks *** '**** ****'

** ******,*************** *********** ** *******, so **** ***** ** removed **** '**** ****' by *******. *** **** in ***** ** ***** a ********* ** *** fire ***** ****** ** that ** *** **** pull ** *********, *** maglocks **** ***** ** the **** ****. **** can ***** ****** **** building ********, ** **** [link ** ****** *********]******* exterior ***** *** ******** and **** ** ** accessed **** *** *******, so ********** ***** *** an ********* ******* ** many ** ***** *****.

********* ****** ***** ** maglocks ** *** ****** adopted *** **** ********. When ****** ***** ** used **** ********, ** must ****** **** *** concurrent ******** ** *** AHJ *** ***** ** installed ** ***** ***** during ** ********* *****. See ***:*** ** *** ******** With ******* ***** *********** *** **********.

But ******* ***** '**** ******'

***** ******* *** ******** be ***** ********** *** either '**** ****' ** 'fail ******' ********.

************ *** ***** ******** Strike***** ****** ***-***** *********, but ***** **** '******' elements ** ******* *** driven ** *********, ******** the ******* ******** ** the ******** *** ***** the ****** ** ** rigid ** **** ** power, ** ********** ********.

***** *** ************* ** either ******** ** ********* a ****** *******, ******* are ***** *** ******* devices ** ******* '**** secure' *************. ***** *** mechanical ******** ** *** door ******* ******* ********** egress, ******* *** ****** additions ** *** ********** opening ** ******* **** feature.

***** ********: ***** *** * number ** ***** '**** secure' ******** ******* *********, including ********** *********, ****** locks, *** *********** *****. However, *** ******** *** use ** **** ******** may *** ****** **** codes ******** ** ********* egress ***** *** *** not ******** **** ** fail ****** *************. [**** no ****** *********]

****

*******, ***** *******,**** *** * ******** quiz.

Comments (16)

Shannon Davis

TED Systems | 10/02/19 11:22pm

*** **** *** *** fail **** ** *** stairwells *** **** *****. Maybe **** **** ********* wording. *** ********** ******* hardware ** **** ****. The **** ***** ***** and ** ****** ****** electronically *** *** ***** remains ** * ******** latched ******** ** *** door *****'* **** **** air ******** *** ***** allowing *** ******* ** the ********* **** ****** through *** **** ** turning *** **** ******.

Undisclosed #1

10/02/19 05:18pm

***** ******* *** ******** be ***** ********** *** either '**** ****' ** 'fail ******' ********.

**** ** */* *******?

Avatar

Michael Glasser

10/05/19 12:56pm

** *****,

****** *** ******* **** up. **** ********.

**** **** ****, ** start, * ***** **** defining *** ********** ******* locking *** ******** ** critical ** **** ************.

** ****** *****, ******** is *** ******** **** keeps * **** ******. Locking ** *** ******** that ***** ******* **** being **** ** ******* the ****.

** **** *******, * typical ********* **** ** latched **** ****** (*** can’t **** **** ** open), ** ****** **** the ******* (******* ****) and ******** **** *** inside (****** ****), ******** free ******. * ***** call **** * ************ access ********** ******* **** with **** ******. ** you **** ** ********* this *******, **** ***** likely ** * ****-****** electrified *******. *** * might **** **** ** electronically ****** ********** ******* door **** **** ******.

“**** ***** **** **** doors **** ****** ** equipped **** ********** ***** to ******** *********** ***** (i.e.:***** **** ** **** devices) ***if *********** ******** ****** ** **** ** '**** ****', ** ****** ** ****.” ********. ***** ** **** definitions *****. *** **** safe ** **** ****** requirement **** *** ********* impact ******.

“** **** *****, **** locks *** ******** ** 'fail ****'.”

********. * ***** *** that **** **% ** the *********** ***** ********* (excluding ******** *****) *** fail ******.

**** **** ***** *** rarely ******** (*****, ********* magnetic *****). **** ** inclusive ** *********** *****, electrified ****, *********** ******* and **** ***** *********** lock *****.

“******* ** ******** ************, 'fail ******' ** ******** by ****. *** **** common ***** ***** **** is *** ****:

**** *****:***** ***** ******* ********** barriers ** *** ****** of ***** ****** * building ****, *** *** common ******** ** **** control ******, ***** * closed-door ** **** ** seal *** * ******* of ** ******** *********. It ** ********** ********* for * **** **** to ****** ****** ** a ****, *** ******** latching '**** ******' ******** is ***** ********* ** ensure * ******** **** is ****** *** **** regardless ** *****.”

**** ** ********* ******* and ********. **** ***** apply **** *********** ******* but ********* ** *** the **** **** *********** locks. * **** ** absolutely ** **** *********** that ******** * **** door ** ** **** secure – **** **** the **** **** ** required ** *****, ***** if ** ******** ****** is ****, ***** ****** require * **** ****** electric ******.

“********* *****: ** **** ******** occupancies, *** ********** *** locked ** ******* **** the *******, ** **** evacuation ****** ***** ******* and *** *********** **** harm ******. **** ******* one ** *** **** modified *** *********** ****** of ****, **** **** code ********* **** *** years ********* ** ********* among ****.”

**** ** ** ******* direction. **** ********** ***** 4 ****** ******* ******* from *** **** ********* doors ** ***** **** 4 ******. ***** *** exceptions *** ******** ********* doors *** ***** ** a ***** ******** ********* around **** ****** *****.

“************ ** ******* ********** could ** ****** *** of ** **** ** it ** *** ******** configured ** '**** ****'. On *** ***** ****, occupants ***** ************* **** a **** ****, ******** otherwise ********* ***** ** a ******** ** '**** secure' ** *** ******** implemented.”

************ **** ****** ** tools ** **** * door. ******** **** * simple ***, **** ** a ******* *** *** before **** ** *** or ***. **** **** is *** *** **** fighters ** *** **. Fail ****** ** *** to **** ****** **** getting **** ***** **** are ********* *********. **** is **** ********** ******* doors *** ********* ***.

“********* ******* **** **** Eliminates *****

*** **** ********, *** default ******** ** ** 'fail ****', ****** ********* noted ** ****** *********, hardware ********* (*** ***** below), ** ***** *********** plans ** '**** ****** required'.”

* ***** *********** *** that **** ********* ** backwards. ******* ****** ****** be **** ****** ****** there ** * **** significant ****** *** **** safe *** ** **** is *** ****, ***** may ** * **** complicated **** ****** *****.

*** ** ******* ** your ****, * ***’* provide ****** *****, *** you *** **** ** add ***** ** **** Green’s **** *** **** Silva’s **** *** **** more **** ******* ****** this *****.

****** ***** *** *** you ** *** * look ******* ** ********** further!

Avatar

Michael Glasser

In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/05/19 01:02pm

* ******** **** ******* as *** **** *********** (that ***** **** *** appropriate ****) ******* ** the **** **** ****.

******* **** **** ***:

"** ********* ******* ******** by *** **** ***** system ***** ****** *** stair ********* ***** ********* *******"

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/05/19 02:12pm

* ******** **** ******* as *** **** *********** (that ***** **** *** appropriate ****) ******* ** the **** **** ****.

****’* **** **** **** opinion, ***...

****** *** **** ****** at ***** ******* **** year ;)

John Harrington

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 10/08/19 05:13am

***** ***!! ** *** noted **** ***** **** to ********** ***** ***, depending ** ***, *** require ******* ****** ** be ******** **** ********** of *** ** ******. We ******* **** ****** them *** ** *** high **** ********.

Shannon Davis

TED Systems | In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/05/19 11:25pm

********, **** *** **** AHJ’s *** ********* *** locks ** ** **** safe. *** **** ******** and ********* *****. ** do **** **** ***** integrators ****** *** ******* and ***** ** **** to *** ** **** safe ***** *** ** existing ****** ** **** safe. **** ** ********** for ********* ** *** East *** **** *****. For ******** ****** *** Midwest ** ********* ****** changes.

Avatar

Michael Glasser

In reply to Shannon Davis | 10/05/19 11:51pm

** *******,

*'** **** ****** *** same *** ****** **** ended ** ********* **** the ******* *******. ********* if * *** ********* like "**** **** *** free ****** ** *** path ** ****** *** locked ** ****** ***'* just **** **** * secure ****" *** *** says "****, ****'* **** we ****". **** ** demonstrate * ******* **** secure *********** ****** *** they *** *****.

*******, * **** ***** that ***** *** *** job ***** **** ******'* budge. **** **** ********** - **** ******** *********. I ********* *** ***** and **** ******** **** if ***** ** * card ******, **** *** fire ***** **** ***, the **** *******. ***** attempting ** ******* *** clarify **** *** ***, the ******** ******* ** wasn't ***** ** ******** and ******** ** ** give **.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/08/19 05:24am

John Harrington

In reply to Shannon Davis | 10/08/19 05:16am

* *** *** *** same *********. ** **** case **** ****** ***** perimeter **** ** ****** upon ********** ** *** FA. ***** *** ** arguing **!

John Harrington

In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/08/19 05:10am

***** *** *** ****** me * *** ** typing!!

Avatar

Michael Glasser

In reply to Michael Glasser | 10/08/19 05:38am

**** ** ******* - I ********* ***** ** advance *** ***** ** he ****** ** ******** privately ** ******** *** he *** **** **** public *******. ** ****** is ** **** ******* the ******* *** ******* discussion, *** ********.

***** *** ***** *** writing **** *** *** being * **** ***** about ** ********.

John Harrington

10/07/19 09:28pm

***, *** ** * great *** **** ** Video. *******, ***** **** many ****** ** **** article. ** ******* *********** most ** **** *** saved ** * *** of ******!

*** **** **** ****** is ****** *** **** by **** **** ** code ******* ********, *** term **** ***** **** is ***- **** ****.

**** ****** **** *** mean **** ** ****** delay ******. **** **** safety ***** ***** *** use ** ******* ****** hardware ********* ****** ** or ** ******* ** delay (**** ** **). Delayed ****** ***** ******** is ********* (** ** opinion) ** *** ********** sequence ** * ******* egress ******* *** ** initiated ** ******* ** a **** **** *** outside. ********** ** ******** type, **** *** ******* egress ****** *** ** installed ** *** **** of ****** *** *** delay **** ** ********** upon ********** ** *** FA.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to John Harrington | 10/08/19 05:33am

******* *****'* ** ******

**'* ** **** ** you ***

** *** ***** **

***** ** **** ***

******* *** *** ******

****** *** ***** (** ah **)

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 10/07/19 10:21pm

*** ***** *** *’* a *******...

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to John Harrington | 10/08/19 05:43am

**** * ****** ** to **** *******. *** difference ******* '**** ******' and '******* ******' ** not ********* **** **** post. ** ***** *** issue ********* ******** *** *** ******** tutorial.

*** ** **. *******'* comments, ** ********** ****, and * **** ****** with ******* **** *** code ***********. * ** believe **** ******* ***** to **** * ******* distinction ** *** *********** between '****' *** '******** latching'.

* **** ******* ** detail *** **** ******* edits ** **** ******** later **** ****. * appreciate *** ******** **** of *** *****, ** we **** ** ** clear (*** *********) ** this ********* ****** *******.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Securing Access Control Installations Tutorial on Oct 17, 2019
The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...
Pelco CEO Out, New CEO Found on Oct 15, 2019
Just 2 months after Pelco was sold, Pelco's CEO is out, with Pelco bringing in an outside President and searching for a new CEO from the industry,...
HID Fingerprint Reader Tested on Oct 09, 2019
HID has released their first access reader to use Lumidigm optical sensors, that touts it 'works with anyone, anytime, anywhere'. We bought and...
Avigilon H5A Analytic Cameras Tested on Oct 07, 2019
Avigilon has released its H5A analytic cameras, claiming to "detect more objects with greater accuracy even in crowded scenes." We tested the...
'Bunker Busting' Wireless Access Startup: Sure-Fi Profile on Oct 03, 2019
An access startup is claiming its 'bunker busting' wireless Wiegand radios can punch through 'any obstruction'. We examine their offering,...
Access Control Mustering Guide on Sep 30, 2019
In emergencies, determining where employees are located can be critical for knowing whether they are in danger. Access systems can be used for...
Access Control Mantraps Guide on Sep 26, 2019
One of access's primary goals is keeping people out of places they should not be, but slipping through open doors (ie: Tailgating) is often...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Alarm Veteran "Demands A Criminal Investigation" Of UL on Oct 18, 2019
The Interceptor's Project pressure against UL continues to rise. Following Keith Jentoft's allegation that "UL Has Blood On Their Hands", Jentoft...
Camect "Worlds Smartest Camera Hub" Tested on Oct 18, 2019
Camect is a Silicon Valley startup that claims the "Smartest AI Object Detection On The Market", detecting not only people and vehicles, but...
Hikvision Global News Reports Directory on Oct 17, 2019
Hikvision has received the most global news reporting of any video surveillance company, ever, ranging from the WSJ, the Financial Times, Reuters,...
Camera Calculator V3.1 Release Improves User Experience on Oct 17, 2019
IPVM has released a new version of our Camera Calculator, V3.1, with significant user experience improvements, a new development plan, and an...
Securing Access Control Installations Tutorial on Oct 17, 2019
The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
US DoD Comments on Huawei, Hikvision, Dahua Cyber Security Concerns on Oct 16, 2019
A senior DoD official said the US is "concerned" with the cybersecurity of Hikvision, Dahua, and Huawei due to "CCP" (China Communist Party)...
Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019
Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator. The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos demonstrating and explaining the...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?