(41h) Best Practices for PHA-LOPA Templates and Libraries

Many of the safety problems related to design of process industry plants are not the result on unknown hazards, but failure to use the knowledge that we have. Many process hazards analyses start with a blank sheet of paper and do not include the most experience engineers and operators – any of whom are retired. In order to ensure that all known hazards are appropriately considered during PHA and LOPA, a program of templates for common processes and unit operations along with libraries of initiating events and protection layers should be employed. This approach ensures the maximum consideration of known hazards with consistency of analysis and design of safeguards, all while reducing the duration and cost of PHA/LOPA studies.

This paper presents best practices for creation and implementation of PHA/LOPA templates. The methods and options for development and deployment of the templates is discussed, along with best practices for use of the templates and suggestions for now appropriate use of templates can be enforced and validated. The paper also discusses the use of the libraries as the “building blocks” of the template studies to drive consistency from study to study.