Most safety system vendors focus on how the system performs when it is healthy, but don't talk much about what happens when an internal failure is diagnosed; worst case, the entire system shuts down. Each SIS vendor must provide clear information on factors that might impair system performance, such as the system's implementation, specific programming or configuration requirements, module or architecture choices, and operational restrictions.
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"Is a TÜV Certificate Enough?"
by Robin McCrea-Steele
International safety application standards require that manufacturers document compliance of SIS logic solvers to IEC61508. A TÜV certificate of compliance goes a long way, but as a user, is this all you need? Most all safety practitioners and process plant operating companies will very definitely say that although essential, product certification should not be the only criterion.
About the Author:
Robin is a TÜV FSExpert (Certified TÜV Functional Safety Expert I.D. 0101/04), an approved instructor for the TÜV ASI Rheinland Functional Safety Program, and both a Senior Safety Consultant and the Director of Business Development at Premier Consulting Services.
Additionally, he is an AIChE Member, an ISA Senior Member and a SP84 committee member working on the Safety Field Bus task force. Specialized in process safety consulting and risk assessments, Robin has presented multiple technical papers at industry symposiums and has been published in various safety-related publications including InTech, Control Solutions International, Hydrocarbon Engineering, and Control Magazine.