Automation assessment

he automation assessment is a statutory inspection (Pressure Equipment Act) that must be carried out during the modification inspection of pressure equipment. The assessment ensures that the system related to the safety of the pressure equipment (SIS) complies with regulations, is safe, and is properly installed, operated, and maintained.

Phases of the Automation Assessment:

1. In the first phase, the design of the safety automation is evaluated based on documentation. It is ensured that the hazards related to the controlled equipment and its normal control and regulation have been identified in all conditions and reasonably foreseeable disturbance situations in the facility’s hazard and risk analyses, and that the safety integrity level (SIL) determinations have been correctly made, with the designed automation corresponding to these integrity level requirements.
2. In the second phase, it is assessed whether the overall qualification design is progressing correctly, taking into account all functional requirements and safety integrity requirements for the system. The client provides the necessary documents for the first phase.
3. The third phase involves factory acceptance testing (FAT), aimed at ensuring that the system has been integrated and tested correctly and that it meets the required integrity level.
4. The fourth phase involves assessing the system’s installation and commissioning during site acceptance testing (SAT). It is evaluated whether all SIS elements and external risk mitigation measures have been installed correctly and whether the combination of SIS and external risk mitigation measures fully complies with the overall safety qualification requirements.
5. The fifth phase involves an operational assessment, which is conducted after an appropriate period following the system’s commissioning. It evaluates whether the SIS, its software, and external risk mitigation measures are being used, maintained, and modified correctly.