| Functional safety involves identifying specific hazardous failures which lead to serious consequences (e.g. death) and then establishing maximum tolerable frequency targets for each mode of failure. Equipment whose failure contributes to each of these hazards is identified and usually referred to as ‘safetyrelated’. Examples are industrial process control systems, process shutdown systems, rail signalling equipment, auto-motive controls, medical treatment equipment etc. In other words, any equipment (with or without software) whose failure can contribute to a hazard is likely to be safety-related.
Since the publication of the first edition of this book, in 2001, the application of IEC 61508 has spread rapidly through most sectors of industry.Also, the process sector IEC 61511 has been published.The opportunity has therefore been taken to update and enhance this book in the light of the authors’ recent experience. Chapter 5 is now devoted to IEC 61511 and Chapters 13 and 14 have been added to provide even more examples. |
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