Page 435 - Offshore Electrical Engineering Manual

422 CHAPTER 1 Introduction to UK DCR Regulations and the Duties

It is a requirement that the duty holder establishes suitable acceptance criteria
for measuring, demonstrating and recording the suitability of SECEs. The indus-
try has in general adopted the term performance standards for these criteria, and
unless the duty holder requires a different approach engineers should support this
terminology.
A performance standard describes the essential requirements that a SECE (or
PFEER PPE or Plant) must maintain, or provide on demand. It is a statement, which
can be expressed in qualitative or quantitative terms, of the performance required of
a system, item of equipment or procedure and which is used as the basis for manag-
ing the hazard and any events requiring emergency response, through the lifecycle
of the installation.
For a performance standard to be suitable, it should satisfy all of the following
conditions:

1. Requires measurement of the performance/capability of a parameter of the
component/system,
2. The measured parameter provides evidence of the ability of the component/sys-
tem to prevent, or limit the effect of, a major accident,
3. Acceptance criteria/range are defined for the parameter in question,
4. The parameter can be monitored/measured. Note that if the measurement
requires special equipment or scaffolding, etc., it should be part of the planned
maintenance system so that a recorded result is available to the ICP.

Experience indicates that performance standards should be at a level that sets an
objective for the SECE; it should not describe how that objective is to be achieved,
or how it is to be demonstrated (verified) as this is part of the Verification Scheme.
They should be specified for all parts of an SECE that are critical for safe operation.
Appendix 3 lists some measurable parameters that may be appropriate to be con-
sidered for performance standards (not necessarily exhaustive).
The consequence of a performance standard not being met (demonstrated) should
also be considered. If the consequences are such that a major accident cannot result,
or a significant reduction in the effectiveness to detect, control or monitor a major
accident cannot result, then the performance should not be considered as necessary.
As a minimum, the following characteristics should be considered in generating
performance standards:

• Functionality – what the SECE must achieve,
• Reliability – how often it will be required to operate satisfactorily,
• Availability – how often it will be required to operate on demand,
• Survivability – the conditions under which it will be required to operate, e.g., if
exposed to fire, blast, vibration, adverse weather, etc.,
• Environmental – does the equipment contain toxic materials, and if so what
precautions are taken.
• Interactions – what other systems/equipment are required to enable the SECE to
achieve its requirements.