Power fail-safe, computer

Power fail-safe/automatic restart In the event that power to the computer is lost, this option senses the power failure and executes a prespecified set of instructions before the machine becomes inoperable. These instructions may transfer control of the process from the digital computer to another back up control system and/or save information necessary for an orderly and automatic restart of the control programs when electrical power has been restored to the computer. This option enhances the safety of computer-controlled processes. 

If a sprinkler system is installed in a computer room or similar area, provisions must be made to automatically de-energize all electrical power to the room and equipment, except power to lighting, in the event of sprinkler operation. Ensure that de-energizing activity leads to a fail-safe condition. Preferably, this should take place prior to water application to minimize damage to exposed electronic circuits. This can be accomplished automatically by smoke detection systems. Manual activation is tolerable for constantly attended locations. Where automatic sprinklers are installed in areas containing minimal combustibles as described above, a sprinkler density of 0.10 gpm/ft (0.38 Ipm/m ) should be provided. Refer to NPEA 75. 

Probably, one of the biggest nonevents (thankfully) was the year 2000 (Y2K) software scare that resulted in nothing. For those who may not remember, it was the fear that once we entered the Y2K, our industrial control systems would fail. The concern was that those industrial systems controlled by software or microprocessors that used formal dates as part of their operations would fail due to the hardware industrial system failing from the year changeover in 2000. Think about the industrial systems that we are dependent on electricity (not just to give us power but also to power our computer and software systems), clean water and water distribution, healthcare, ATM (cash dispense machines), air traffic control, pumping gas into your car, and millions of other everyday examples. Y2K did create a lot of fear and expense, which demonstrated how little we understood of our own industrial control systems. It also emphasized the importance of software safety and that software systems are used to control industrial systems, and we need to look at both to be sure that the industrial system operates safely. Today, the significant uptick in cyber attacks on industrial control systems further makes the point. 

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