Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Block Flow Diagram

Safety Management Services, Inc.


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	Process Hazards Analysis

	Qualitative and quantitative risk assesment techniques applied to your process to minimize potential hazards.

Risk Management

HAZOP Basis

FMEA Basis

Risk Assessment Matrix

FMEA BASIS

An FMEA, or Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, is a systematic approach to identify failure modes that could either directly result in, or contribute significantly to, the identified accident scenario by a multi-discipline team familiar with the process. The failure modes and failure causes are identified initially and are used as the starting point for the FMEA.

Each cause is evaluated for adequate design safety and potential effect on the system. A qualitative risk category is then assigned to each failure cause according to the guidelines found in MIL STD 882C. This qualitative ranking is determined by considering both the severity and frequency of occurrence.

Critical areas of the process are identified and studied to determine the possibility of a major incident. Management can then use this information to control the potential risk, and avoid the accident scenario. A block flow diagram of the FMEA process is given below:

The following terms are used in the FMEA process and in the FMEA table (see downloadable pdf file at right):

·		Line No. - consists of an "Operation/Item" number and a single letter identifying the "Failure Cause" (e.g., 1A, 1B, 2A...).
·		Operation/Item - the operation or item of concern in the scenario.
·		Failure Mode - the potential problem.
·		Failure Cause - events that cause the failure mode.
·		Potential Effects - potential effects of the problem in the system or subsystem. The potential Effects column lists the consequences of the Failure Mode.
·		Design Safety - those features of a system that will prevent the Failure Mode from occurring. Any deficiencies in Design Safety will be reflected in the Recommendation column.
·		Hazard Category - an assessment of the hazard risk of the operation. In this analysis, we have used the MIL-STD-882B, "Hazard Risk Assessment Matrix."
·		Recommendations - recommended corrective actions. Deficiencies in the Design Safety are corrected by implementing the recommendations in the Recommendation column.

For more information regarding pricing and availability of Process Hazards Analysis services, please contact:

Gary D. Dodds
Vice-President, SMS

To download and view a one-page, typical FMEA conducted by SMS for a propellant manufacturer in PDF format (72 KB), click below:

"Typical FMEA conducted by Safety Management Services, Inc. for a Propellant Manufacturer."

To download and view a one-page, typical FMEA conducted by SMS for a chemical process in PDF format (52 KB), click below:

"Typical FMEA conducted by Safety Management Services, Inc. for a Chemical Process."

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