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Recorded Webinars: How a Bad PHA/LOPA Can Damage the Design of your Safety System
Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) is one of the most popular methodologies for Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). Layer of protection analysis (LOPA) is a methodology to further quantify the risk following up on the PHA.
These two exercises pave the foundation for the design of the Safety Instrumented System (SIS). We will first look at the basic ideas about PHA and LOPA and look at the causes for the problems. Finally we will move on to a few consequences and the impacts of a bad HAZOP and LOPA on the SIS.
News Item: New White Paper: When and When Not to Use Failure Rates Based on Cycle Testing Data
Based on Siemens Simatic PCS7 System Any industry that has a requirement for a heated medium, whether it is used for process, utilities or emissions, utilizes equipment that has combustion controls and combustion safeguards. There has been an evolution in these controls from a traditional control that separates the DCS…
Blog Entry: How the PHA and LOPA are going to affect your SIS
Both Process Safety Analysis (PHA) and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) occur in the early stage of the Functional Safety Lifecycle, detailed in both IEC 61511 and IEC 61508. They both serve significant roles in the whole process safety management. Yet, as a facilitator for both PHA, LOPA and Alarm…
Recorded Webinars: Alarm System Auditing and Enforcement – The Why and the How
One of the important tasks defined in the ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682 alarm management lifecycle is to audit the alarm configuration settings in the control system (actual) versus those that have been specified during rationalization and are documented in the master alarm database (target). This webinar will discuss the Auditing and Enforcement process including why it should be done and how it can complement (but not make up for) the MOC process. We will discuss what alarm parameters are most important to audit and why. We will also review the pro’s and con’s of different methods for auditing and for enforcement.
News Item: New White Paper Describes exida’s Most Detailed Field Failure Study to Date
exida has just released a new White Paper describing their most detailed field failure study to date. A comparison between exida’s Calibrated FMEDA process and OREDA failure reports has been performed on a specific manufacturer/model number valve. The comparison was accomplished with unprecedented access to unpublished failure reports from the…
Blog Entry: Alarm System Auditing and Enforcement – The Why and the How
One of the more important tasks in the alarm management lifecycle is auditing of the alarm system configuration. Auditing preserves your investment in rationalization, checks for changes that bypassed the MOC process, and helps you to maintain the integrity of the alarm system. Oh, and it also required per the…
White Paper: Statistical Verification of FMEDA Predicted Failure Rates
Statistical Verification of FMEDA TM Predicted Failure Rates Using OREDA Gate Valve Field Failure Data In this paper the total failure rates predicted by Calibrated Failure Modes Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (Calibrated FMEDA) for a specific gate valve (Manufacturer X/Model Y) under specific conditions are statistically verified against the 70%…
Recorded Webinars: Remote Actuated Valve Design – Adding Partial Valve Stroke Testing
Automatic diagnostics that detect potentially dangerous failures in automation equipment is not only well accepted but required in electronic devices. The same concept should apply to remote actuated valve assemblies as well. But some reject the concept of Partial Valve Stroke Testing (PVST) primarily because they perceive a false trip risk. Why is this? PVST can significantly improve safety and reduce operational expense. But operational cost is not reduced with an increased false trip rate. Does this happen with PVST? Some designs may increase the false trip rate but others will significantly reduce it. Why is that? What are the variables? This webinar describes the history of PVST and several different PVST designs. Safety and false trip rate analysis is done for each and compared. Which design is best?
News Item: Johnson Controls Receives IEC 62443-4-1 Certification from exida
Sellersville, PA: The global leader in functional safety, cybersecurity, and alarm management for automation systems, exida, has presented Johnson Controls with their IEC 62443-4-1 Cybersecurity Process Certification. exida was pleased to work alongside Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart and sustainable buildings, as they obtain this certification. A certification…
Rotex Automation Limited - Direct Acting Solenoids Type DA
IEC 61508 in the Safety Automation Equipment List
Rotex Automation Limited - RV3xx Series
IEC 61508 in the Safety Automation Equipment List
News Item: New White Paper: When and When Not to Use Failure Rates Based on Cycle Testing Data
One data source for predicting failure rates for final elements used in safety instrumented functions (SIF) is cycle testing. In cycle testing, the mechanical equipment’s moveable components are exercised rapidly through part or all of their range of motion. Any observed failures are recorded, and the mechanical equipment failure rate…
Bray International - Series S98 & S98H Actuators
IEC 61508 in the Safety Automation Equipment List
Recorded Webinars: How Can Templates Lead to Improved Cybersecurity Policies and Procedures?
Cybersecurity management is critical for maintaining a secure Industrial Control System over time. Having well documented procedures from risk assessment, through system design, and into the operations and maintenance phase is a key difference between a purely reactive cybersecurity posture and a mature approach that builds on continuous improvement. Using templates for these policies and procedures not only speeds up the development process, but also ensures alignment with the IEC 62443 standards and industry best practice.
Blog Entry: Share the Wealth (of Functional Safety Knowledge)
Experience is a good teacher. But how do you get the experience? Formal classroom or online training is often available for more general skills, but on-the-job training usually provides a more in-depth path to gain such experience. After doing a job for a while, working through difficulties with colleagues, and…
News Item: exida Introduces New IEC 62443 Cyber Templates for End Users
exida is excited to introduce a new set of IEC 62443 cyber templates intended for end users. Cybersecurity management is critical for maintaining a secure Industrial Control System over time. Having well documented procedures from risk assessment, through system design, and into the operations and maintenance phase is a key…
News Item: exida Launches Self-Paced IACS IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Lifecycle Course
Sellersville, PA: The global leader in industrial cybersecurity services for the process industries, exida, has launched the self-paced training course CS 102: Industrial Automation Control Systems (IACS) IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Lifecycle . CS 204 addresses integration of cybersecurity into the functional safety lifecycle per the IEC 62443 standards. While cybersecurity…
White Paper: When and When Not to Use Failure Rates Based on Cycle Testing Data
When and When Not to Use Failure Rates Based on Cycle Testing Data in the Computation of Safety Metrics for SIF Elements One data source for predicting failure rates for final elements used in safety instrumented functions (SIF) is cycle testing. In cycle testing, the mechanical equipment’s moveable components are…
Recorded Webinars: How to Cause a False Trip with Your Final Element Design
In many industrial processes an automatic safety function is implemented using a remote actuated valve. The design objective is to trip the process when a dangerous condition is detected and to keep the process operating when no dangerous condition is detected. A lot of attention is paid to failures that impact the ability of a safety function to trip. But in many applications a “false trip” is not only costly but may create dangerous situations. Many heritage designs for the pneumatic/hydraulic controls increase the false trip rate. Justification is usually an improvement is safety. This webinar compares several pneumatic designs and shows trip rates and safety probabilities for each design. May the best design win.
News Item: Video - Functional Safety Certification for Software
exida's Ted Stewart and Dave Butler, CFSE joined Mark Hermeling of Grammatech to discuss frequently asked questions in the realm of functional safety certification for software. View the video here