- Non-Critical Defect
Referenced initially in Australian Standard AS 1851:2012 a non-critical defect is a form of defect or fault that adversely affects the operation of an item of equipment but not rendering the system inoperative or defective. A non-critical defect does not typically escalate in severity (i.e. become a critical defect) and its failure does not place people at significant risk (death or injury) or an a building (or asset) at significant risk (loss or damage) of from fire or related emergency.
Australian Standard AS 1851 introduced the terms non-conformance, non-critical defect and critical defect in the 2012 edition of the Standard. The definition was accompanied by a flowchart (Figure 1.5.6 - Routine Service Activity Failure) to illustrate the difference between each of these terms.