The main objective of a Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is to analyze the likelihood of hazards that have been identified during a process hazards analysis. This step in the process and functional safety lifecycle is critical when there is a need to calculate incident frequencies for subsequent comparison to corporate risk criteria. The LOPA methodology is widely accepted within the process industry as an easily understood quantitative approach to likelihood analysis and is therefore a broadly used practice.
LOPAx™ is a Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) tool that can be used by process, process safety, and control engineers in support of plant management and operations personnel. LOPAx guides users through the LOPA process. A hazard scenario consisting of a single or multiple Initiating events can easily be evaluated. Multiple Enabling Conditions (EC), Independent Protection Layers (IPL), and Conditional Modifiers (CM) can be specified. The effectiveness of each can be specified on a per initiating event basis, allowing the user to thoroughly document the sequence of events that cause an initiating event to become an incident.
LOPAx™ uses a worksheet approach with the ability to address multiple initiating events for the same hazard scenario. A default LOPA database with initiating events frequencies and potential layers of protection probabilities of failure is provided, complete with the respective data references and criteria that need to be satisfied for the value to be valid. Additionally, users can create their own collection of initiating events and layers of protection.
Request a Quote Download Brochure View Informational Webinar
When using LOPAx in combination with the Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) tool PHAx™, the LOPA worksheets are prepopulated with a specific hazard scenario‘s initiating events and safeguards that were identified during the PHA. Similarly incident frequencies determined during the LOPA or assumed levels of Risk Reduction for a Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) are automatically identified for the Safety Integrity Level target selection that is performed using the SILect™ module.
This seamless exchange of LOPA data to subsequent tasks in the safety lifecycle drastically improves efficiency, ensures completeness of data transition, and provides traceability and auditability.
|
Organized, Rigorous, Standards Compliance |
|
Less Data Entry |
|
One Safety Lifecycle Tool |
A hazard scenario consisting of multiple initiating events may have Enabling Conditions, Independent Protection Layers, and/or Conditional Modifiers identified during the PHA that are not effective to protect against all initiating events. LOPAx allows you to specify the protection capability on a per initiating event basis.
LOPAx also allows you to specify the protection capability on a per risk receptor basis for those scenarios where multiple risk receptors, i.e. personnel, environment, etc. are considered.
