The Fire Services need to encourage building owners, occupants and building practitioners to address this issue. The potentially catastrophic results may lead to business inefficiencies, litigation and disruption to the community, even loss of life. There is also the issue of whether a building is fit for occupation, due to being in breach of its occupancy permit, if its essential services are not operational. The Fire Services, whilst being concerned that the community may be endangered, should also be concerned about the over utilisation of their own resources on 1st January 2000.
All buildings depend on a range of systems containing microcontrollers to support the occupants.
The millennium bug could affect any building services. These include any automated or computer based system containing embedded microcontrollers. Those systems that are oriented to time or date to function may interpret information incorrectly. Other services that could be affected include EWIS, telecommunications, air handling, lighting, gas, electricity and sewerage. Effects could range from minor in nature to significant.