Process Safety Discussion Group
Process Safety Discussion Group
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Are you passionate about Process Safety? Attend our next Process Safety Discussion Group!
The Safety Discussion Group generally meets on the first Thursday bi-monthy
The meeting will begin with a round table discussion on topics brought to the session by attendees, after which two or three topics will be chosen by the group to discuss at length. A presentation by a guest speaker happens in the second portion of the meeting. Snacks and refreshments to follow.
If you provide us with your completed Issue Sheet IHP Issue Sheet -NEW at least ONE WEEK prior to the event we will send it to the other attendees so that they have some time to think about your issue. We will reserve time at each meeting to discuss format and successes for each meeting.
Examples: IHP Issue Sheet 2013 -Ken Bingham example
Agenda
1:45pm Sign In
2:00pm Round table introductions
2:15pm Issue/Opportunity Sheets
3:15pm Break
3:30pm Presentation
4:15pm Wrap up/Annoucemnets
November's Presentation:
Can Functional Safety demystify B149 compliance?
In the Alberta Oil and Gas sector the 58 year old B149 series of codes has experienced a shift, with the expiration of the 13 year old Variance (VAR-GAS) towards B149.3. With a lack of consistent interpretation and clarity of the code there is still confusion in the industry on what is required to be compliant. This can lead to a prescriptive approach resulting in higher equipment costs and a system wrought with spurious trips and operability issues. By following performance based processes found in the Functional Safety world we can ensure that the safety and reliability targets are met for the burner management system and fuel train, and that the equipment continues to operate safely for the entire planned life expectancy. By examining the parallels that exist between the B149 series of codes and the IEC-61508 / IEC-61511 standards, we may find that with the correct guidance, compliance may be right at our fingertips.
Speakers Bio:
Duane is the Program Manager of the Field Evaluation Services team at Stantec Consulting Ltd. With over 15 years in the Oil and Gas Industry in such roles as an Instrumentation Technician, Operations Technician and Process Controls specialist. Having attained his Functional Safety Engineering certification in Safety Instrumented Systems by TÜV Rheinland through ACM, Duane often finds himself relating his learnings to every aspect of his life, both at work and at home. Duane is joined today by Latifa Mousli with Underwriters Laboratory of Canada.
Presentation Summary / Abstract:
The B149.3 code is a set of mandatory guidelines published for our benefit to ensure our designs and installations are safe, efficient and meet a minimum standard, and require a mandatory field evaluation and approval as being compliant. The Alberta Municipal Affairs (AMA) is estimating that over 300,000 appliances in Alberta, currently in operation, are non-compliant with the CSA B149.3 code. Using performance based philosophies and proven processes from Functional Safety and provided in the IEC-61511 and IEC-61508 standards, one can see a commonality in the approach to design, install, maintain and even evaluate the Burner Management System (BMS) and fuel train of a fuel-related appliance. Using consideration of constant failure rates, useful lifecycle expectancy, and techniques for risk mitigation / control in the design and construction we can minimize cost by not over engineering while still meeting the required reliability and safety targets. Adding activities in the planning, field evaluation, commissioning and operation stages of a fuel related appliance such as proof testing, preventative maintenance and management of change, we can ensure the equipment remains reliable and robust through the expected lifecycle of the equipment. Perhaps the Process Safety field will one day benefit from following codes such as B149.3 and implementing a field approval system for Safety Instrumented Systems?
