Functional Safety in Industries: An Overview of Key International Standards

2022-08-02

In today's fast-paced and safety-conscious world, functional safety standards are the cornerstone for ensuring the reliability and dependability of critical systems across various industries. These international standards, from entertainment technology to nuclear power plants, lay the groundwork for preventing and mitigating potential hazards.

This comprehensive blog post delves into various functional safety standards written in English. We aim to provide an enlightening overview of key standards like EN 17206, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, and many more. Whether you're an engineer, a safety professional, or simply curious about safety practices, this article serves as your gateway to understanding the vital role functional safety standards play in shaping today's world.

Join us on this informative journey as we explore the nuances of each standard and its relevance to various industries. From railway applications to medical devices, machinery safety to home and building electronic systems, we unravel the intricate web of functional safety compliance that empowers enterprises worldwide to uphold the highest safety standards.

So, fasten your seatbelts, and let's embark on this enlightening quest towards safer engineering, industry-wide trust, and unwavering safety!

Overview of functional safety standards

1. EN 17206 - Entertainment technology - Machinery for stages and other production areas - Safety requirements and inspections
2. EN 50126 - Railway Applications - The Specification and Demonstration of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) Generic RAMS Process
3. EN 50128 - Railway applications. Communication, signalling and processing systems. Software for railway control and protection systems
4. EN 50129 - Railway applications. Communication, signalling and processing systems. Safety-related electronic systems for signalling
5. EN 50402 - Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of combustible or toxic gases or vapours or of oxygen. Requirements on the functional safety of gas detection systems 
6. EN 50495 - Safety devices required for the safe functioning of equipment with respect to explosion risks
7. IEC 60601 - Medical Device Functional Safety
8. IEC 60880 - Nuclear power plants - Instrumentation and control systems important to safety - Software aspects for computer-based systems performing category A functions
9. IEC 61000-6-7 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 6-7: Generic standards - Immunity requirements for equipment intended to perform functions in a safety-related system (functional safety) in industrial locations
10. IEC 61131-6 - Programmable controllers - Part 6: Functional safety
11. IEC 61326 - Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - EMC requirements - Part 3-2: Immunity requirements for safety-related systems and for equipment intended to perform safety-related functions (functional safety)
12. IEC 61508 - Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems
13. IEC 61511 - Functional safety - Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector
14. IEC 61513 - Nuclear power plants - Instrumentation and control important to safety - General requirements for systems
15. IEC 61557-15 - Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. - Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures - Part 15: Functional safety requirements for insulation monitoring devices in IT systems and equipment for insulation fault location in IT systems
16. IEC 61784-3:2021 - Industrial communication networks - Profiles - Part 3: Functional safety fieldbuses
17. IEC 61800-5-2 - Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems - Part 5-2: Safety requirements - Functional
18. IEC 62061 - Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related control systems
19. IEC 62304 - Medical device software - Software life cycle processes
20. IEC 63044-4 - Home and building electronic systems (HBES) and building automation and control systems (BACS) - Part 4: General functional safety requirements for products intended to be integrated in HBES and BACS
21. IEC PAS 63325 - Lifecycle requirements for functional safety and security for IACS
22. ISO 13849 - Safety of machinery - Safety-related parts of control systems. Non-technology dependent standard for control system safety of machinery. (Performance Levels - PL)
23. ISO 14762 - Information technology - Functional safety requirements for home and building electronic systems (HBES)
24. ISO 19014 - Earth-moving machinery - Functional safety
25. ISO 19695 - Motorcycles — Functional safety
26. ISO 25119 - Tractors and Machinery for Agriculture and Forestry - Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems
27. ISO 26262 - Road Vehicles Functional Safety

Real-life examples

These functional safety standards are used in real life. For example, EN 50126, specifically designed for railway applications, revolutionised safety practices in the railway sector. With the implementation of this standard, major European national railway organisations reported a significant decrease in safety incidents and a notable improvement in reliability and passenger satisfaction.

IEC 60601's emphasis on medical device functional safety has substantially impacted the healthcare industry. A medical device manufacturer shared how adhering to this standard ensured patient safety and streamlined regulatory compliance, resulting in faster time-to-market for life-saving medical devices.

Benefits of compliance

Adhering to functional safety standards brings numerous benefits to industries. From improved product reliability to increased customer trust, compliance ensures enhanced safety performance, lower failure rates, and reduced operational risks. Moreover, complying with these standards often facilitates global market access, expanding business opportunities for manufacturers.

FAQ

Q: Are functional safety standards mandatory for all industries?
A: While functional safety standards are not mandatory for all industries, their implementation is highly recommended to ensure optimal safety and regulatory compliance. Only a few countries have made some functional safety standards laws.

Q: What are the critical differences between functional safety and process safety?
A: While functional safety deals with the safety of individual systems or components, process safety focuses on the overall safety of an entire process or operation.

Q: Are there any specific functional safety standards for the aviation industry?
A: The aviation industry follows standards like DO-178C for software and DO-254 for hardware to ensure functional safety in aircraft systems.

Q: Do functional safety standards cover cybersecurity aspects as well?
A: Some functional safety standards address cybersecurity concerns in safety-critical systems. However, for a comprehensive cybersecurity approach, it is essential to follow dedicated cybersecurity standards.

Q: Can functional safety standards help reduce insurance premiums for businesses?
A: Compliance with functional safety standards can positively impact insurance premiums by minimising risks and potential liabilities.

Q: Are there functional safety standards specific to autonomous vehicles?
A: ISO 21448 (SOTIF) is a standard explicitly addressing the safety of the intended functionality for autonomous vehicles, complementing functional safety standards like ISO 26262.

Conclusion

Functional safety standards are indispensable tools that empower industries worldwide to uphold the highest safety standards. Compliance with these standards, from railways to medical devices, machinery to automotive, ensures robust safety practices and fosters industry-wide trust.

As engineers and safety professionals, embracing functional safety standards allows us to create a safer, more reliable world for future generations. So, fasten your seatbelts and embark on this enlightening quest towards safer engineering, industry-wide trust, and unwavering safety!

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