Our blog on ‘Legal Framework’ highlighted that industry best practice and ALARP principles for process safety can be demonstrated by following Functional Safety Management (FSM) requirements in accordance with IEC 61511. IEC 61511-1 2nd edition was released internationally in 2016. In Germany, publication of the derived code DIN EN 61511-1 is expected in 2018.

Whilst the 1st edition of IEC 61511 already contained numerous requirements in relation to FSM, the 2nd edition extends these requirements in critical areas. For instance, clause 5.2.5.2 defines the requirements for suppliers providing products or services to the organisation that has overall responsibility for FSM (typically the Plant Operator). Such service providers include consultants, inspectors or certification bodies that are responsible for discrete parts of the Safety Life Cycle (SLC). For consultants such as PSC this will typically comprise services such as HAZOP, SIL-Analysis/ Verification and Functional Safety Assessment (FSA). These services are shown in the red-outlined boxes of the SLC-diagram below.

Safety Life Cycle Diagram based on IEC 61511-1 Figure 7, showing typical PSC responsibilities in red outline

IEC 61511-1 2nd edition now explicitly requires that suppliers have their own FSM system in line with the corresponding SLC-responsibilities. PSC updated its internal ‘Functional Safety Management Plan’ in June 2017 to meet the new requirements of IEC 61511-1 2nd edition. The revision included an updated SLC-Matrix showing PSC responsibilities and activities in relation to overall FSM, as well as extended description of competency requirements in line with IEC 61511-1, clause 5.2.2.

A copy of the TOC of PSC’s FSM Plan is available here. The complete FSM Plan is available on request.