fail-safes
/ˈfeɪlˌseɪfs/
NOUN
1. Safety devices and protective measures
Devices, mechanisms, or measures designed to prevent danger, reduce risks, or protect a system when a failure or malfunction occurs.
1.1. Protective mechanisms and safeguards
Built-in devices or protective arrangements that prevent accidents, limit damage, or maintain safety when something goes wrong.
Synonyms
- safeguards
- protections
- safety devices
- safety mechanisms
- precautions
- preventives
- guards
- shields
- defenses
- safety measures
Examples
- Nuclear power plants employ multiple fail-safes to prevent potential disasters.
Related Words
- barriers
- buffers
- safety systems
- protective features
1.2. Preventive measures against potential risks
Precautionary actions or arrangements established in advance to minimize the possibility or consequences of accidents, errors, or unexpected failures.
Synonyms
- precautions
- preventives
- safeguards
- protections
- cautions
- preventive measures
Examples
- The engineers introduced several fail-safes to reduce the risks associated with the automated system.
Related Words
- contingencies
- risk controls
- security measures
- emergency provisions
VERB
2. Automatic responses to system failures
Actions or mechanisms that automatically compensate for a failure or make a device or system enter a safer operating condition.
2.1. Automatic compensation for failures
Automatically responding to a malfunction by activating an alternative function or protective action to maintain safety or prevent further damage.
Synonyms
- compensates automatically
- switches to backup operation
- activates backup protection
- automatically safeguards
Examples
- The control systems fail-safes automatically when the primary power supply is interrupted.
Related Words
- recovers
- switches over
- self-corrects
- activates
2.2. Making a system fail-safe
Adding or implementing protective mechanisms that cause a device or system to operate safely when a malfunction or failure occurs.
Synonyms
- safeguards
- protects
- secures
- fortifies
- makes foolproof
Examples
- The engineers fail-safes the equipment by adding an automatic emergency shutdown mechanism.
Related Words
- reinforces
- hardens
- equips
- modifies