[SystemSafety] SIL ratings to be scrapped?

[M Mencke]

Regarding the high demand and low demand mode, it makes sense to apply
these modes for some elements. However, in the railway standards, the
concept of low demand is already not being considered. In EN 50129, the
following is stated:

*“NOTE: In contrast to other standards the SIL table in this standard has
only one column for*

*frequencies (formerly called high demand or continuous mode) and does not
have a column for*

*failure probabilities on demand (formerly called demand mode). The reasons
to restrict to one*

*mode are*

* *

*· Less ambiguity in determination of SIL.*

* *

*· All demand mode systems can be modelled as continuous mode systems.*

* *

*· Continuous control and command signalling systems are clearly the
majority in modern railway signalling applications.*

* *

*The SIL table has been constructed taking into account other relevant
international standards.”*

In my opinion, the existence of two different approaches to the application
of the SIL concept, where one only considers high demand mode and the other
considers both, contributes to the reasons why there are misunderstandings
regarding the use of SIL. This is particularly true for engineers new to
the industry or potential customers who consult the standard relevant to
their sector in order to try to gain an understanding of the SIL concept.

Imagine a situation where a “newcomer” to the railway industry consults the
railway standards for an overview of SILs, and their understanding of the
SIL concept is gained based on the assumption that only one mode of
operation is considered, the high demand mode. This engineer (or
technician, manager, etc.) then decides that he would like to extend his
knowledge and reads, for example, the IEC 61508 where the “high demand” and
“low demand” modes are introduced. This does not appear to aid the reader
in providing a clear explanation of the application of the concept. Your
response may be “well, in that case the reader should read the available
literature”, to gain an in-depth understanding. However, this may not
always be possible, due to time constraints, etc., particularly in the case
of a customer or a manager.

Additionally, even though the standard argues that continuous demand are
the majority in modern railway signalling applications, as Peter just
mentioned, passenger emergency braking systems on trains are meant to be
used only occasionally. Given that only high demand mode is considered in
the railway standards, should the railway standard definition of “high
demand” then be applied for this type of system, or is it required to refer
“back” to IEC 61508?...
Note: I write in Hiberno English. For example, words ending in the suffix
“ing” preceded by “l” are spelled with a double “l” rather than a single
"l", as in “signalling”, “modelling”.
Regards,
Myriam.


2013/8/22 Peter Bernard Ladkin <ladkin at rvs.uni-bielefeld.de>

> To back up Martin's caveat with other reasons:
>
> I would not argue for scrapping "low-demand" on the sole basis it is
> inappropriately applied - I think there need to be significantly more
> reasons than that.
>
> Reactor SCRAM systems are only meant to be used occasionally. Similarly,
> passenger-emergency-braking systems on trains.
>
> System functions which are invoked occasionally tend to not work when
> invoked. Emergency slides on commercial transport aircraft exits work as a
> rule-of-thumb about half the time, which is why the emergency-evacuation
> certification test is performed with only half the available exits.
>
> So for such systems and functions there need to be defined proof tests and
> a defined interval for proof tests. And those intervals are dependent upon
> how often you think the demand for the function is likely to arise.
>
> You don't have such things as proof tests or associated intervals for
> continuously-operating safety-relevant functions, such as fly-by-wire
> control systems or ETCS.
>
> Now, I agree that such things as proof tests are not relevant for pure SW
> "elements" (to use the 61508 preferred terminology), but that SW mostly
> sits inside something which executes the function and for which proof tests
> are relevant. How are you going to deal with these differences
> appropriately if the standard scraps the distinction?
>
> PBL
>
>
>
> On 8/22/13 9:30 AM, Jensen, Martin Faurschou Jensen wrote:
>
>> I agree with the arguments below when it comes to systems, but we have to
>> keep in mind that 61508 is also used for the development of single
>> elements. For a sensor, designed and developed for use in a SIS, the demand
>> mode makes sense, as this only needs to detect and report a situation, and
>> does not need to contribute in maintaining the safe state afterwards.
>>
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>> ......On Behalf Of ECHARTE MELLADO JAVIER
>>
>> Sent: 22. august 2013 09:20
>> To: Peter Bernard Ladkin; systemsafety at lists.techfak.**uni-bielefeld.de<systemsafety at lists.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de>
>> Subject: Re: [SystemSafety] SIL ratings to be scrapped?
>>
>> I have discussed this mater several times. I think that low demand
>> criteria should disappear because it is usually a fallacious argument.
>>
>
> PBL
>
>
> Prof. Peter Bernard Ladkin, Faculty of Technology, University of
> Bielefeld, 33594 Bielefeld, Germany
> Tel+msg +49 (0)521 880 7319  www.rvs.uni-bielefeld.de
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________**_________________
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