What is a LOPA study (Layer of Protection Analysis) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Verification?
Both LOPA studies (Layer of Protection Analysis) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) play pivotal roles in the field of process safety and risk management, especially in sectors like oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
LOPA studies are essential for assessing and ensuring the effectiveness of protection layers within a process. In contrast, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) are physical systems specifically designed to provide those layers of protection taking automated actions to prevent or mitigate process hazards.
BS EN 61511-1 is a standard that defines Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and mandates Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) to determine if the protective layers are adequate in reducing major accident risks to acceptable levels. This standard offers a comprehensive lifecycle approach to Safety Instrumented Systems Management, commencing with FSA-01.
FSA-01 comprises three critical activities:
- Hazard and risk analysis of the design.
- Allocation of safety functions to protective layers.
- Design specification of protective systems.
To meet FSA-01 requirements, Gexcon employs recognised methodologies such as Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), along with hazard analysis techniques like HAZID and HAZOP. These methods enable Gexcon to provide thorough FSA-01 assessments, aligning seamlessly with Stage 1 of the BS EN 61511-1 lifecycle approach.
BS EN 61511-1 also underscores the importance of independent verification across all lifecycle stages.
How Gexcon can assist
Gexcon offers independent verification services to validate FSA-01 assessments, ensuring compliance and safety excellence. With our expertise in risk management and ability to provide independent verification services, Gexcon can help you ensure that your facility is safe and compliant with all relevant regulations.
