In terms of elevator safety, what does "fail-safe" mean?

"Fail-safe" refers to a design principle in systems, especially in safety-critical applications like elevators. When a system is described as fail-safe, it means that in the event of a failure, it will automatically revert to a safe condition rather than causing harm or risk to users. In the context of elevators, this can imply that if there is a malfunction—such as a power failure or loss of control—the elevator will take steps to ensure that it does not fall or become stuck in an unsafe state. This might involve mechanisms that safely lower the elevator to the nearest floor and open the doors, allowing passengers to exit safely.

This principle is crucial in elevator design as it enhances the safety of passengers and minimizes the risks associated with mechanical and electrical failures. Thus, selecting the option that states the system defaults to a safe condition in failure accurately represents the core idea of what makes a system "fail-safe."