Functional Safety
The ever-increasing complexity of safety-related system developments presents developers, manufacturers and suppliers with challenging tasks. In this context, the RAMSS approach, in particular Functional Safety, is becoming increasingly important. It aims to ensure the reliability, availability, maintainability and general safety of products, systems and processes.
RAMSS in focus: Enotrac as an expert for holistic safety solutions
RAMSS combines the key factors of reliability, availability, maintainability, safety and security. Enotrac brings many years of experience from a wide range of projects, whether it be large infrastructures such as the Lötschberg (LBT), Gotthard (GBT) and Ceneri (CBT) base tunnels of the New Alpine Transversal (NEAT) or individual components such as speed sensors.
Within this spectrum, Enotrac addresses both functional safety (SIL, for example door control) and non-functional safety (for example fire protection). The range of services also includes the identification of potential hazards, risk assessments and the derivation of safety requirements and SIL (Safety Integrity Level). This results in verification and validation, safety planning, safety certificates, approval planning and approval concepts. Another increasingly important aspect is cyber security, which requires special attention in the networked world of rail technology.
Focus on quality, RAM and safety
System engineering in rail transport integrates quality, RAM and safety aspects. The overarching goal is to ensure both the protection of people from the dangers of the rail system (personal safety) and the protection of the rail system from threats posed by people (cyber security). A broad approach is taken that ranges from mechanical functionality to cyber security.
Enotrac’s system engineering approach is designed to develop unique solutions that make rail operations reliable, highly available, maintainable, safe for passengers and secure for cybercrime, for the sustainable transport of goods and people.
Methods and Tools: Enotrac relies on proven approaches
Enotrac uses proven methods such as fault tree analysis, event tree analysis, failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) and many more. We also pride ourselves on our close cooperation in standardisation committees and partnerships, for example with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (zhaw).
Functional Safety
In the rail sector, safety-related systems are indispensable, as technical and transport systems can pose potential hazards. If not operated properly, there is a risk of damage to persons, the environment or material assets. Enotrac is an expert in functional safety and offers targeted implementation to ensure product safety in this complex environment.
Risk and hazard analysis at the start of the project
Enotrac places a high value on a thorough risk and hazard analysis in safety-related projects. We use professional tools for this, including Hazard Log, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), fault tree analyses, and other important methods. The systems are designed in accordance with product-specific application guidelines and standards.
Safety devices to minimise risk
The risk analysis identifies residual hazards that need to be protected against by safety equipment. This can be done both by mechanical devices (e.g. safety relief valves) and by electrical safety circuits (SIF – Safety Instrumented Functions). Functional safety focuses on the requirements for the electrical safety circuits according to EN 61511-1.
Quantitative risk assessment and safety level: risk graphs and SIL level
As part of the risk analysis, hazards are quantitatively assessed, taking into account the extent of the damage, the possibility of countermeasures and the probability of the hazardous event occurring. With the help of risk graphs, the required safety integrity level of the individual safety functions (SIF) is determined. This can extend to the SIL level (Safety Integrity Level), which is defined in various application standards.
Functional safety over the entire life cycle: standards-compliant consideration
For functional safety, Enotrac considers the entire life cycle of the safety circuits. Functional safety standards cover topics such as risk analysis, specification of requirements, validation, regular functional testing and decommissioning.
Systematic and random failures – failures and their causes
A distinction is made between the types of failure, random and systematic failures. Random failures are statistically quantifiable and relate to hardware failures. Systematic failures are not quantifiable and can be traced back to specific causes. These failures can be minimised by various measures such as design modifications, regular maintenance and testing.
Aspects not included in functional safety: clear demarcation
Functional safety focuses on electrical safety circuits and excludes aspects such as electrical safety, fire protection or radiation protection.
Our Enotrac experts are specialists in the field of functional safety and safety-related projects. We carry out a thorough risk and hazard analysis and implement safety devices to ensure standard-compliant and reliable product safety. From quantitative risk assessment to systematic error minimisation, we consider the entire life cycle of the safety circuits, while maintaining clear boundaries to non-functional safety aspects. Enotrac’s specialists are focused on contributing to safety and quality in safety-related projects through targeted measures in the area of functional safety.
Competent support in functional safety projects
Enotrac can take on a variety of roles in safety-related projects, including validator and safety manager. From planning to implementation and testing, including procurement tenders, Enotrac offers professional services. We use specialised tools such as hazard logs, FMEA, and fault tree analyses.
Compliance with Standards and Training: Enotrac’s Expertise
Enotrac not only offers comprehensive support in the application of applicable standards, in particular IEC 61508, but also places great emphasis on imparting in-depth basic and specialised knowledge through targeted training.
IEC 61508 as the Basic Safety Standard
Enotrac training courses begin with an in-depth examination of the IEC 61508 series. This standard is considered the basic safety standard and regulates the functional safety of electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems independently of the application. It thus serves as an indispensable central point of reference for ensuring the functional safety of control systems.
Focus on the safety life cycle: detailed consideration and requirements
One of the training courses’ key topics is the comprehensive safety life cycle in accordance with the detailed requirements of the IEC 61508 series. Our customers receive an in-depth examination of the approach and content of each step. This aspect is of paramount importance to both machine builders and safety component manufacturers.
Electrical systems and software design: maximising the benefits for manufacturers
Particular attention is paid to the design of electrical systems and the associated software. In this way, manufacturers of safety components in particular can derive significant benefits by integrating the specific requirements of the standard into their development processes.
Recommendations for end users and system integrators
The training courses contain clear recommendations for end users and system integrators regarding the selection of standards for determining safety levels. We recommend that these target groups use the less complex EN 62061 or EN ISO 13849-1/-2 instead of the IEC 61508 series.
Comprehensive consideration of the standard parts
In addition, our training courses offer an in-depth analysis of the structure of the IEC 61508 series, which includes various parts. These include, among other things, an introduction to the concept of functional safety, requirements for safety-related electrical/electronic/programmable electronic systems, software requirements, terms and abbreviations, examples of how to determine the level of safety integrity, application guidelines and application notes on procedures and measures.
Relevance and presumption of conformity
It should be emphasised, however, that the IEC 61508 series is not harmonised and thus does not provide a presumption of conformity in the sense of the EU directives. For this reason, control system designers should be aware that compliance with this standard alone does not necessarily mean that the necessary requirements of the European directives are met. Nevertheless, IEC 61508 is often mentioned in IEC and ISO standards, which underlines its general importance.
Enotrac’s training programme is rounded off by comprehensive support in the preparation, review and submission of verification documents to independent safety assessors. Our experienced Enotrac experts are available to support your organisation in meeting the increasing challenges of developing safety-critical systems. We set the highest standards in functional safety.
Conclusion
Due to the increasing complexity of safety-related system developments, developers, manufacturers and suppliers are facing ever higher and more demanding requirements. Functional safety is of great importance to ensure that the necessary product safety can continue to be guaranteed. In this context, Enotrac offers the planning and management of functional safety projects and also provides you with comprehensive and competent support in all phases of these projects. Within a project, Enotrac experts can take on different roles, for example, that of the validator or the safety manager. We rely on a holistic approach and thus enable effective integration of functional safety in all project phases, starting with the planning and extending to implementation, testing and the procurement tender.
Our services are characterised by the application of professional tools. Our expert teams use instruments such as the Hazard Log, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and fault tree analyses. These specialised tools enable us to carry out a structured and thorough analysis, thereby identifying potential risks and safety gaps at an early stage and addressing them proactively.
Enotrac’s experts not only provide operational support, but also demonstrate their expertise in the application of applicable standards, in particular IEC 61508. Training courses are tailored to customer needs. In these courses, our Enotrac specialists not only impart fundamental knowledge, but also specialised knowledge in the field of functional safety. This ensures that all participants have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement the requirements of the standards.
Enotrac’s services are rounded off by active support in the preparation and testing of the verification documents and in the submission of these documents to independent safety assessors. Enotrac’s experts ensure that the safety measures taken meet the required standards and are verified by independent testing centres.
Enotrac supports companies with its comprehensive expertise in meeting the challenges of the increasing change in safety-related system developments. Enotrac takes a comprehensive approach to safety. This means that they not only comply with the prescribed rules, but also actively search for and manage possible safety risks at every step of a project.
