SAFETY-AN IMPORTANT QUALITY CHARACTERISTIC

What Is Quality?

In construction, the term 'quality' is one of the commonest catchwords. However, it is rarely clear what is actually understood by quality. The problem lies in the fact that the term is mainly used as an absolute. Quality in the absolute sense describes the totality of the features and characteristics of an object or a service. We speak of too much or too little quality or better and poorer quality. Seeing quality as an absolute can lead to a product or service being suitable for a variety of uses but having characteristics that are superfluous in actual use and may even be a disadvantage in relation to the particular intended use. The term 'quality' must be seen in more relative terms and be made to relate to the actual purpose of the building and the relevant services. Quality is therefore described as the totality of the features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs.' The aim is to achieve only those quality characteristics that are necessary, not those that are possible.

Quality Characteristics

The use of a concept of quality related to needs or purposes assumes that quality is described in terms of definite quality characteristics. This has only happened rarely to date. It is only in recent standards that separate quality &aracteristics are stated ~learly.~ Basically, there are four quality characteristics: serviceability, safety, environmental compatibility and durability. Serviceubility guarantees the use of the artefact for the agreed purpose and under the agreed conditions of use.

The use is defined on the basis of agreed threshold values and applies in particular to usability (deformation, dimensional tolerances, leak tightness, vibrations), appearance, form and installation and processing. Safety related primarily to the danger to human life and also to the risk of property damage resuiting from the failure of structures and technical installations, and indicates which hazards can be eliminated by what measures. Since not all hazards can be eliminated, certain hazards must be accepted as risks.

These risks are then offset by the eliminated hazardssafety. Depending on the hazard, a distinction is made between technical safety (load-bearing capacity, fire safety, safety of mains supplies, operating safety, etc.), physical safety (protection against criminal activity, sabotage) and safety in relation to accidents suffered by employees (prevention of accidents) and dangers to health from noxious substances. Environ~nental compatibility covers the effects of the artefact on the environment (air, soil, groundwater, surface waters, etc.) during the construction phase, the operating phase, the demolition phase and particularly as a result of failures and disasters, and the measures to be taken to reduce the effects to acceptable levels. Durability ensures that serviceability and safety and environmental compatibility are maintained during the intended period of use.

The quality characteristics are specified on the basis of the purpose, which in turn is based in particular on financial and time constraints. If funds are limited, the needs, and consequently the purpose, of the structure must be adjusted accordingly. It is clear from this that costs are not a quality characteristics but rather the financial consequence of the quality characteristics that have been specified. Unfortunately, quality and cost are not always separated, Consequently, it is impossible at the moment to say how much of the cost of a structure or technical installation is accounted for by individual quality characteristics-serviceability, safety, environmental compatibility and durability.