What is a LOPAone™ Software?
LOPAone describes a process hazard analysis tool called Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA). The method starts with data developed during hazard identification and accounts for each identified hazard by documenting the initiating cause and the protection layers that prevent or mitigate the hazard. The total amount of risk reduction can then be determined, and the need for more risk reduction analyzed. If additional risk reduction is required and if it is to be provided in the form of a SIF, the LOPA methodology allows the determination of the appropriate SIL for the SIF.
LOPAone software team created software that also records studies automatically. Your studies are saved and easily exported to the XLS file so that you can make a report.
LOPAone software has a widely worldwide acceptable database you can use when you develop LOPA scenarios.
Where to Use LOPAone™ Applications?
The LOPA described here is a method that can be applied to an existing plant by a multi-disciplinary team to determine the SIL of the SIF. It is also applicable to use in process industries, fire safety, or machine safety.
The team should consist of the:
- Operator with experience operating the process under consideration
- Engineer with expertise in the process
- Manufacturing management
- Process control engineer
- Instrument/electrical maintenance person with experience in the process under consideration
- Risk analysis specialist
- Safety specialist
- Machine designer
One person on the team should be trained in the LOPA methodology. The information required for the LOPA is contained in the data collected and developed in the hazard identification process or machine.
Key Features of a LOPAone™ Software
LOPAone is a hazard and risk assessment web-based software that uses a layer of protection analysis (LOPA) to identify the safety functions that reduce the frequency of loss of primary containment (LOPA) events to a tolerable level. The software encourages the implementation of proactive safeguards that prevent the LOPA but allows the consideration of consequence mitigation systems as necessary. When consequence mitigation systems are implemented, the LOPAone software requires explicitly examining the outcome of the mitigation system deployment.
Since the method does not determine the frequency of harm posed by the LOPA, this method does not consider post-release conditions, such as the probability of ignition or occupancy. This simplifies the method and focuses the assessment team on reducing LOPA events through inherently safer design and proactive layers of protection.
This method uses a risk matrix to communicate the risk criteria to the assessment team. The risk matrix has been calibrated to account for the potential consequence severity of the LOPA event. The criteria include consideration for safety, environmental, and economic loss potential.
The method examines hazardous events identified using any hazard identification technique appropriate for the process lifecycle step. At a minimum, hazard identification should describe the hazardous events that were assessed and should identify the initiating cause(s) and the safeguard(s) that prevent or mitigate the event(s).
References: IEC 61511-3:2016 Functional safety - Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector - Part 3: Guidance for the determination of the required safety integrity levels; CCPS LOPA Independent Protection Layers; CCPS Guidelines for Initiating Events and Independent Protection Layers in Layer of Protection Analysis;