Real-Life Decision Making
Fire protection technicians often are caught in the middle. They know a fire protection system isn't working properly and lives could be in danger, but they are also part of a business that must show a profit.
You work as a fire protection technician for a large company that installs, inspects and repairs fire alarm systems. A passing inspection is indicated by your signature on the equipment tag. If you pass a system, you and your company could be held responsible if the systems don't work.
On your worksheet today is the inspection of an apartment building's fire alarm system. The apartment building houses nearly 400 families. You head over to the apartment and begin checking their fire alarm system.
The batteries that power the system during a power outage are dead. The fire alarm system would not work at all if there was a loss of electrical power.
It's only a $100 to $200 repair job, but you don't have the authorization to do any repairs -- you're just inspecting it.
You cannot sign off the tag.
You try to call the building manager but she is not in.
You can do the repairs without talking to the manager. Or you can walk away from the building leaving the tag unsigned, hoping there won't be a fire. Or you can try to track the manager down.
What do you do?