(190e) Asset Protection, Applying Safety Life Cycle Methods

Today's programmable electronic technology allows automation of chemical processes to an ever increasing level of complexity. Benefits are being achieved in product manufacturing, throughput, and quality. However increased automation can result in complex functional safety issues (I.e., safety-related process hazards). Functional safety issues are addressed by American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) - Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) (1)(2), Instrumentation systems and Automation Society (ISA) (3), and International Teclemechinique Commission (IEC) (4)(5). These resources (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) each utilize the functional safety life cycle as a tool to ensure all aspects of functional safety are addressed. While safety issues typically have an asset dimension (e. g., loss of production) that has to be considered, this paper addresses non-safety related asset issues (i.e., process hazards resulting in financial loss only). The paper is based on how one chemical company addresses asset issues using the functional safety life cycle. While process asset protection issues are typically the domain of each company, it is hoped that this paper may initiate comments, ideas, critique, and constructive alternatives to the methods presented in a way that the process sector can benefit from the resulting dialogue.

(1) "Guidelines for the Safe Automation of Chemical Processes", Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, 2000, ISBN No: 0-8169-0703-X. (2) "Guidelines for Safe and Reliable instrumented Protective Systems", Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, 2000, ISBN No:. (3) "ANSI/ISA 84.00.01-2004 (IEC 61511 mod), Functional Safety: Safety Instrumented Systems for the process industry sector" Parts 1, 2 and 3. (4) "IEC 61508 - Functional Safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems", Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. (5) "IEC 61511 Functional Safety: Safety Instrumented Systems for the process industry sector" Parts 1, 2 and 3.