News & Events.
exida Presenting and Exhibiting at 2018 ECI Users Exchange
April 04, 2018
exida will be presenting and exhibiting at the 2018 ECI Users Exchange to be held May 2 - 3, 2018 in Pittsburgh, PA at the Marriott Pittsburgh Airport. Stop by during exhibit hours and say hello.
Presentations
Also exida's Loren Stewart and Steve Gandy are among the presenters at this year’s event.
Comparing OREDA with FMEDA – Achieving Realistic Device Level Failure Data
Many would consider the published OREDA failure data to be the most credible in the world. However, failure rate data for specific device types such as a solenoid valve, a scotch yoke actuator, etc., are not available due to data reporting limitations. Failure Modes Effects and Diagnostics Analysis (FMEDA) is a failure rate prediction technique that uses component failure rates and design strength profile. Using a combination of OREDA field failure data compared to a statistical analysis of FMEDA predicted failure rate data, the FMEDA predictions can be calibrated to closely predict field data results. Once that is done, ratios of device FMEDA data is used to predict specific results for devices like solenoid valves from OREDA data.
The calibrated FMEDA predictions for new device designs can then be used to verify optimal safety instrumented function designs which match performance with process risk. The results have been used to show justification for reduced proof testing with better safety integrity.
exida Presenter: Loren Stewart
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2018
Time: 9-9:50 AM
Location: Findlay
Functional Safety for Managers
The IEC61511 Standard is built around a safety lifecycle (SLC) to provide a consistent approach to risk identification and risk reduction, in accordance with a company’s tolerable risk, followingbest practices. By following the SLC it provides a means of achieving optimum design that balances risk reduction with performance.
What governs the SLC is Functional Safety Management (FSM), which requires a plan to be in place that defines how functional safety will be managed throughout the entire SLC. FSM requires that there be processes and procedures in place that are monitored and audited, to facilitate FSM. It also requires a competency plan to be in place to ensure staff are properly trained and regularly assessed. This needs to happen at all levels within the company, with anyone involved in SLC activities and/or tasks.
The role of Functional Safety Management in ensuring compliance with the requirements of IEC61511 cannot be understated. This is especially true when it comes to preventing the potential for systematic failures – failures that are insidious, which can only be corrected by a change in the design, processes/procedures and other factors (i.e. competency and training).
Accidents, such as the Buncefield oil storage depot explosion and Texas City Isomerization explosion in 2005, which killed 15 people and injured over 100 more, highlighted just how important it is to have the proper mechanical integrity and maintenance program in place. FSM was clearly lacking and the final report issued by the Chemical Safety Board on the Texas City incident highlighted deficiencies at all levels of management for not understanding the impacts of cost-cutting on the operations and maintenance of the plant. The problem with management is that they are not being held responsible for these cuts when it comes to process safety.
In order to ensure that the SLC is being followed and that systematic issues are being managed, Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) are required to be carried out at key stages of the SLC. The purpose of the FSAs is to ensure that all activities within the particular SLC stage have been completed properly and thoroughly. The IEC61511 standards identifies five stages within the SLC where FSAs are required. This session will focus on the importance of completing Stage 1 and Stage 2 FSAs since these tend to be more often overlooked.
exida Presenter: Steve Gandy
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2018
Time: 11:10-12:00 PM
Location: Findlay
SIS 101: The Basics of Functional Safety (Workshop)
The purpose of this course is to provide the attendee with a basic understanding of Functional Safety, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs), the associated standards, commonly used terminology, and the fundamental requirements for IEC 61511 and IEC 61508. This course will discuss the HAZOP to the LOPA analysis, and then decipher probability of failure on demand (pfd) and architectural requirements, focusing on Low Demand applications (PFDavg). Additional discussion on topics related to the Operational Phase of the safety lifecycle will also be covered, including validation and proof testing, partial stroke testing, proof test coverage, and control of modifications. Questions will be highly encouraged. Example calculations will be done to show the impact of imperfect proof testing, proof test coverage and mission time. Workshop attendees will be given exercises on performing SIL calculations using simplified formulas, as a way of looking at the differences in proof test coverage.
Developing the use of leading and lagging indicators to help with maintaining SIS performance and risk reduction will also be reviewed and discussed. The attendees will be presented with some examples and encouraged to think of how to apply this to their organizations.
The standards on Functional Safety can be lengthy and difficult to navigate. This course will help unravel some of the mysteries behind safety and help navigate the user through the associated standards and requirements. It will help them understand terms associated with safety, why proof testing is needed and how to reduce maintenance errors and expenses by extending their proof test intervals. Attendees will also understand the importance of useful life and the need for replacement and/or refurbishment of SIF equipment at the end of useful life, as part of mechanical integrity.
The attendees will gain a basic understanding of SIS, the ability to read and interpret safety- related standards and documentation, and gain knowledge around operating and maintaining their safety instrumented functions (SIF). With this information, attendees can evaluate their current SIS practices for improvement opportunities and cost reductions, and make competent decisions with respect to safety.
exida Presenter: Steve Gandy and Loren Stewart
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2018
Time: 1-5 PM
Location: Salon A