Integrity Management of Safety Critical Rotating Equipment and Systems

Abstract

Safety Critical Elements (SCEs) are the equipment and systems that provide the basis of risk management associated with Major Accident Hazards (MAHs). A SCE is classified as an equipment, structure or system whose failure could cause or contribute to a major accident, or the purpose of which is to prevent or limit the effect of a major accident.Once the SCE has been identified, it is necessary to define its critical function in terms of a Performance Standard. Based on the Performance Standard, assurance tasks can be defined in the maintenance system to ensure that the required performance is confirmed. By analyzing the data in the maintenance system, confidence can be gained that all the SCEs required to manage Major Accidents and Major Environmental Hazards are functioning correctly. Alternatively, corrective actions can be taken to restore the integrity of the systems if deficiencies are identified.This tutorial shall detail out how the MAH and SCE Management process is initiated to follow the best industry practice in the identification and integrity management of major accident hazards as well as safety critical equipment (rotating equipment in particular). The tutorial shall describe in detail the following important stages:• Identification of Major Accident Hazards • Identification of Safety Critical Equipment, involved in managing Major Accident Hazards • Define Performance Standards for these Safety Critical Rotating Equipment • Execution of the Assurance processes that maintain or ensure the continued suitability of the SCE Equipment, and that these are meeting the Performance Standards • Verification that all stages have been undertaken, any deviations being managed and thus that Major Accident Hazards are being controlled. • Analyze and Improve Through the diligent application of these stages, it is possible to meet the requirements for MAH and SCE Management process giving a better understanding and control of risks in the industry.