Beginner
New to functional safety? Start here. These articles explain fundamental concepts in IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 in plain language, covering Safety Integrity Levels (SIL), basic risk assessment, proof testing essentials, and how Safety Instrumented Systems protect people and assets. Perfect for engineers transitioning into functional safety or teams needing a solid foundation before tackling advanced topics.
Houston Recycling Fire: When Is a Recycling Center a Process Facility?
A tire fire at a Houston recycling yard raises a sharper question for functional safety practitioners: is a recycling center…
Who Certifies Functional Safety Equipment, and Who Accepts It
A practitioner’s map of who certifies functional safety equipment and who accepts it: the manufacturer’s own documents, the certification body…The Qatar Gas Plant Explosion: What We Know So Far
In June 2026, an explosion tore through the Barzan gas plant at Qatar's Ras Laffan during a restart after months…
Functional Safety Assessment (FSA) vs. Audit: What’s the Difference?
A functional safety assessment and an audit get used interchangeably, but they answer different questions and sit at different points…
Functional Safety Is Not the Same as Occupational Safety
Occupational safety, process safety, and functional safety are not the same discipline, and treating them as interchangeable is a common…Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA): The Engineer’s Guide to SIL Selection
LOPA — layer of protection analysis — is the most widely used method for SIL selection in the process industry.…Hazard and Risk Assessment (H&RA): The Foundation of Functional Safety
A hazard and risk assessment (H&RA) is the foundation of every IEC 61511 safety case. This guide covers what it…Functional Safety for the Process Industry: 10 Core Concepts Every Engineer Should Know
Functional safety in the process industry is more than calculations—it's a lifecycle approach to reducing risk. This guide explains IEC…
Failure Rates in Functional Safety: A Practical Guide for Working Engineers
Failure rates are central to SIL verification, device selection, diagnostics, and proof testing. This guide explains λDU, λDD, λSU, and…Spurious Trip Rate Explained: 6 Facts Every Functional Safety Engineer Should Know
Spurious Trip Rate (STR) is often overlooked in functional safety. Learn what STR is, how it’s calculated, and why balancing…
