functional safety

As we have seen in part 1 of this article, there are processes that cause a system’s performance to (prematurely) deteriorate or that the system can no longer fulfil its purpose. As we will see, these processes are not so different for cars (part 1) and safety systems in the process industry. However, there is a big difference in the rules and regulations during operation. We drivers have a bit of the “main inspection” and perhaps the “inspection booklet” of the manufacturer on our backs. Otherwise the legislator more or less leaves it to us to admonish to be on the road with a “safe” vehicle. This is quite different with regard to safety in the process industry. There is a multitude of laws, rules etc. that must be observed.