Site Assessment

Assessing and documenting the risk associated with the operation of a process plant is always a concern of any facility. A properly designed SIS will provide the appropriate level of risk reduction and safety coverage in line with good engineering practices. Improperly designed systems can lead to the exposure to excessive risk to potential hazards and non-compliance.

Are you faced with any of the following concerns?

• Is the existing SIS adequate?
• Spurious trips with associated lost up-time and safety issues?
• Experienced an SIS failure?
• Incident or near miss due to an SIS design flaw?
• Is the safety management plan in compliance with ANSI/S84.01, IEC 61508, IEC 61511, API, NFPA, EN or other standards?

If you answered Yes to any of the preceding questions, your facility should consider a PCS critical system site assessment. A PCS consultant will review the safety management plan and the associated safety related instrumentation, providing recommendations for improvements leading to the achievement of safety and reliability targets. The assessment is hands-on, involving plant personnel that allows the collection and review of data by:

• Performing on-site surveys of operating units
• Reviewing available documentation (operating and maintenance procedures, P&ID’s, process safety management documentation, etc.).
• Examining process hazards analysis results
• Discussing operating history with plant personnel.

The site assessment provides management with a basis for prioritized capital spending by giving specific recommendations for risk reduction and reliability improvements. It demonstrates to insurers, regulatory agencies, company personnel and the public that a serious plan has been established to address safety and environmental issues.