Page 436 - Offshore Electrical Engineering Manual

Background 423

In the same way that parts of an installation may be considered as SECE for cer-
tain periods of an installation’s lifecycle, it is possible for performance standards to
be applicable during specific phases of an installation’s lifecycle only; for example,
during commissioning or major in-service modifications. At all times that a part of an
installation is safety or environmentally critical, there must be at least one performance
standard in place.
Each duty holder is likely to have a preferred format of presenting performance
standards. If the engineer is able to influence this, the most effective means is a sim-
ple series of statements each expressing performance standards (either for the entire
SECE or parts of it), sequentially numbered to provide easy reference when reporting
following verification itself. Example Electrical Performance Standards are shown in
PART 9 Chapter 2. However, the format must comply with the duty holder’s require-
ments, if expressed.
Performance standards presented in wordy, legalistic format tend to divert the ICP
away from the best way of verifying the particular criterion; it is essential to establish
prior to verification, exactly which parts of a performance standard document require
verifying and are feasible for the ICP to verify, and which parts are a matter of record-
ing electrical parameters and correct equipment function during maintenance.
Quantitative performance standards for reliability or availability of an SECE are
essential for software-related SECEs/systems. Where such performance standards
are specified, it is recommended that the precise requirements are fully defined, that
there is a clear means of verifying that requirement and that verification can provide
positive demonstration of the SECE’s suitability.
PART 9 Chapter 2 gives typical electrical performance standards. Be warned,
however, that performance standards must be derived from the installation’s safety
case and not produced in isolation.
The following guidance should be used when engaged in drawing up verification
schemes on behalf of a duty holder for an installation. The minimum requirements listed
below must be included but the optional requirements should only be included with the
agreement of the duty holder. It is important that all parts of the duty holder’s organisation
with responsibility for, or who are affected by, verification are consulted in this process.

GUIDANCE ON DEVELOPING WRITTEN SCHEMES OF EXAMINATION
AND TEST
The following guidance may be used by engineers engaged in drawing up written
schemes of examination and test on behalf of a duty holder. The minimum require-
ments listed below must be included but the optional requirements should only be
included with the agreement of the duty holder.
The minimum requirements to be provided for in a Written Scheme of Examination
and Test (WSET) are detailed in PFEER Reg. 18 &19. These are described below:

• The scheme should clearly identify all PPE and ‘plant’ on the installation that
should be examined (Regulation 18(2) & 19(2));