Complying to the new IEC 61511 Standard using a Cause and Effects Matrix

摘要

As the IEC 61511 standard for Functional Safety approaches completion, many process plant managers will be faced with the question "Does my plant comply?". This new international standard has two basic purposes. First, defining the Safety Lifecycle for process plants. This lays down the foundation that defines the steps necessary to ensure overall plant safety. Second, evaluation of the performance metrics ensuring that the safety integrity level (SIL) defined for plant protection is being achieved by the implemented safety instrumented equipment. The standard today is noted as Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) and relies heavily on satisfying the requirements as outlined in clauses 5 through 19. It is expected to become finalized in the late spring of 2003. This paper will examine how a technique known as a cause and effects matrix, can offer considerable assistance for designing, developing and documenting a process plant's safety system philosophy.