3181 EI Research report: A framework for monitoring the management of ageing effects on safety critical elements

Overview:

Provides guidance for operating companies on how to monitor the effectiveness of safety critical elements (SCEs) management for ageing effects and to define the relevant performance indicators (PIs). It provides a framework of processes for managing the effects of ageing on SCEs, forms the basis for a capability maturity model (CMM) and enables an operating company to determine and monitor the level of its approach to each process.

In the UK, the UK Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 (OSCR 2005) requires duty holders to define the safety critical elements with performance standards (PSs) in relation to major accident hazards (MAHs) on offshore installations. This document will assist operating companies in drawing up a list of ageing modes, effects and criticality expected as part of the thorough review of safety covered by these regulations.

The report contains guidance on how to use the framework to determine suitable PIs, analysis tools and management practices. It gives examples of different modes and the effects of ageing by physical deterioration for some typical SCEs, as well as providing a comprehensive list of SCEs, groups, sub-systems and components.

Whilst predominately for the UK offshore sector, this document will be of use to other sectors world wide where ageing plants exist.