Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)

Definition:
Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) estimates the likelihood and consequences of hazardous events numerically. This is more work, hard to do well, and less common than a semi-quantitative (SQRA) method such as a HAZOP/LOPA.

Examples could be a LOPA with real failure data. Or a fault tree analysis or event tree analysis with quantified failure likelihoods.

Key Points:

  • Supports decision-making around facility siting, mitigation measures, and risk acceptance.
  • Often uses PLL, societal risk curves, and SIL evaluations.

Example:
A QRA shows that adding a second pressure relief system, using its actual failure rate data, reduces site fatality risk below acceptable thresholds.

See Also: SQRA, QLRA, PLL, uncertainty analysis

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