Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)

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A hazards analysis technique specifically structured to analyze equipment items is Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA). The method examines the ways in which an equipment item can fail (its failure modes), and examines the effects or consequences of such failures (safety, reliability or environmental performance).

If the criticality of each failure is to be considered, then the method becomes a Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality (FMECA) Analysis.

Methodology

1. Assemble a cross-functional team (how this can be done is discussed at the page HAZOP Team Selection and Management). The team should represent designers, operations, maintenance and the end user.
2. Define the physical scope of the FMEA. For example, in the heat exchanger analysis discussed below, determine if utility systems such as the cooling water supply are to be included.
3. Define the purpose of the equipment item being examined.
4. Identify the failure modes for that equipment item and determine their consequences and their likelihood.
5. Determine if the analysis is to incorporate the effect of safeguards and controls.

Team Process

The Table has seven columns. The purpose of each is discussed below.

1. The first column is the number of the failure mode for that item of equipment.
2. The second column identifies the failure mode.
3. The third column lists possible causes of the failure mode. Although identification of causes is not a requirement of the FMEA process, they do need to be identified so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken.
4. Column four lists the signs by which operations personnel know that the event has happened.
5. The fifth column provides an estimate for the number of times the failure mode is likely to happen.
6. The sixth column identifies the potential consequences of the failure mode. As already noted, the consequences will vary depending on the magnitude of the failure. The consequence that is usually of most interest is injury of personnel. However, environmental impact and economic loss can also be considered. Some practitioners have two levels of consequence: immediate and 'end effect'. In the first row, the immediate effect of a tube failure is hydrocarbons in the cooling tower; the ultimate effect could be a catastrophic fire in the cooling tower.
7. The last column provides an estimate for the level of risk associated with the failure mode.

Severity

The list below provides a means of estimating the severity of the event.

1. None. No effects observed.
2. Minor. System operable with some loss of efficiency or quality.
3. Low. System operation will cause some equipment damage but should not create a safety hazard.
4. Moderate. System operation will cause equipment damage and could create a safety hazard.
5. High. System operation will cause significant equipment damage and is likely to jeopardize safety.
6. Very High. System operation will lead to destructive failure with a significant chance of someone being hurt and/or the creation of a major environmental problem.

In all cases, the severity of the event will depend on whether it occurs with our without warning, with the second of the two obviously being the more serious.

The FMEA method is one of the techniques used in Process Hazards Analyses (PHAs) to identify and risk rank hazards. The OSHA regulation lists the following allowable techniques:

Process Hazards Analysis

The FMEA method is one of the techniques used in Process Hazards Analyses (PHAs) to identify and risk rank hazards. The OSHA regulation lists the following allowable techniques:

1. What-If;
2. Checklist;
3. What-If / Checklist;
4. Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)
5. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA);
6. Fault Tree Analysis; or
7. An appropriate equivalent methodology.

Since the focus of a Process Hazards Analysis is on the identification of process or system-related issues, an FMEA would generally serve to support one of the other techniques, such as HAZOP. For example, a HAZOP may consider the system effects of a heat exchanger failure; the FMEA, as shown above, would then examine the exchanger itself in more detail.