Difference between revisions of "Safety threats"
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==Types of threat for functional objects== |
==Types of threat for functional objects== |
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| − | When we look at the concept of threat from the perspective of its functional use (which we can also do for urban objects), a threat can be defined as any circumstance that threatens the continuity or quality of those [[function|functions]] (which include, amongst others, protection of life and economic use). |
+ | When we look at the concept of threat from the perspective of its functional use (which we can also do for urban objects), a threat can be defined as any circumstance that threatens the continuity or quality of those [[threatens::function|functions]] (which include, amongst others, protection of life and economic use). |
Threats can in this perspective be classified by their origin. This classification is layered: the first layer discriminates between [[comprises::internal threat|internal threats]] that have impact on the internal processes (such as a car hitting a building and causing diminished structural safety for the inhabitants) and [[comprises::external threat|external threats]] that only have impact on external requirements for those processes (such as a discontinuation of electricity supply to a building). Both types of threats will result in diminished continuity or quality of functions provided by the building (reduced safety in the first example, reduced comfort in the second example). |
Threats can in this perspective be classified by their origin. This classification is layered: the first layer discriminates between [[comprises::internal threat|internal threats]] that have impact on the internal processes (such as a car hitting a building and causing diminished structural safety for the inhabitants) and [[comprises::external threat|external threats]] that only have impact on external requirements for those processes (such as a discontinuation of electricity supply to a building). Both types of threats will result in diminished continuity or quality of functions provided by the building (reduced safety in the first example, reduced comfort in the second example). |
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Revision as of 13:10, 7 December 2012
Threat
A threat is a source of potential harm ("An indication of possible violence, harm, or danger." DHS 2004: 73)[1]. It can both originate in wilful act (comprises::human intent, such as the threat of violence or terrorism), as in non-intentional circumstances (such as the threat of natural hazards, e.g. floodings, volcanic eruptions etc., or man-made hazards, e.g. industrial accidents or technical failure, comprises::human failure).
Types of threat for functional objects
When we look at the concept of threat from the perspective of its functional use (which we can also do for urban objects), a threat can be defined as any circumstance that threatens the continuity or quality of those functions (which include, amongst others, protection of life and economic use).
Threats can in this perspective be classified by their origin. This classification is layered: the first layer discriminates between internal threats that have impact on the internal processes (such as a car hitting a building and causing diminished structural safety for the inhabitants) and external threats that only have impact on external requirements for those processes (such as a discontinuation of electricity supply to a building). Both types of threats will result in diminished continuity or quality of functions provided by the building (reduced safety in the first example, reduced comfort in the second example).
Within internal threats we can distinguish threats that originate from natural processes, threats that originate from failures, and threats that originate in wilful acts. Within threats that originate from failure, we can again distinguish between failures of designs (comprises::technical failure) and failures of human action (comprises::human failure). This structure is graphically depicted in the (clickable) figure below.
Footnotes and references
- ↑ DHS (2004): National Response Plan. Department of Homeland Security: Washington. Online: http://www.scd.hawaii.gov/documents/nrp.pdf [2011-03-23].
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