Introduction
The safety of technological processes at Ukrainian industrial enterprises requires strict compliance with European and national standards. Failure of emergency protection systems can lead to catastrophic consequences. The concept of SIL (Safety Integrity Level) defines the probability of a safety system failure when performing a given function. An understanding of this classification is critical for Chief Engineers, Occupational Safety Inspectors, and Chief Mechanic Service Managers.
The design and maintenance of equipment according to the standards of DSTU EN 61508 and DSTU EN 62061 allows minimizing risks in production. The selection of non-certified components in safety circuits is unacceptable. UNITEC-D GmbH supplies the Ukrainian market only with proven equipment with a complete package of documentation.
Scope of application
The requirements for compliance with the SIL level apply to the entire range of industrial facilities in Ukraine: from mining and beneficiation plants to food enterprises. The regulations cover complex technological equipment with increased potential for danger.
- Chemical and petrochemical industry: reactors, compressor stations, main pipelines.
- Metallurgy: blast furnaces, conveyor lines for transporting raw materials, hydraulic presses.
- Energy: turbine installations, fuel supply systems, distribution substations.
- Mechanical engineering: robotic complexes, automated machining lines.
Equipment operating under pressure in accordance with the Technical Regulation of equipment operating under pressure, as well as lifting mechanisms are subject to a mandatory risk assessment.
Basic requirements of SIL standards
The SIL system covers four levels according to international and national regulations. Each level corresponds to a range of probability of dangerous system failure per hour (PFDavg for low demand modes or PFH for high demand modes).
| SIL level | PFH (hazardous failures per hour) | PFDavg (for low mode) | Degree of risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIL 1 | $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-5}$ | $0.01$ to $0.1$ | Low |
| SIL 2 | $10^{-7}$ to $10^{-6}$ | $0.001$ to $0.01$ | Average |
| SIL 3 | $10^{-8}$ to $10^{-7}$ | $0.0001$ to $0.001$ | Tall |
| SIL 4 | $10^{-9}$ to $10^{-8}$ | $0.00001$ to $0.0001$ | Critical (rarely used in mass engineering) |
The DSTU EN 61508 standard is basic for all electrical, electronic and programmable electronic security systems. For mechanical engineering, DSTU EN ISO 13849-1 is key, which uses performance categories and levels (PL from a to e).
Impact on MRO operations
The introduction of SIL-rated systems is changing maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) approaches. Normal replacement of components due to failure is unacceptable here. Strict regulations must be followed.
- Periodicity of checks: Testing of protective circuits should be carried out at intervals determined by risk calculation (usually from 1 to 12 months).
- EMP Management: Spare parts in stock must have SIL compliance certificates and be stored taking into account the shelf life of electronic components (MTBF).
- Documentation: Any tampering with the safety circuit is recorded in the maintenance log with configuration parameters.
- Qualification of personnel: Automation systems adjustment engineers must have a confirmed certification (for example, TÜV Certified Functional Safety Engineer).
Requirements for components and spare parts
Not every sensor or valve can be used in a safety circuit. The component manufacturer is obliged to provide a SIL conformity certificate issued by an accredited body (TÜV, EXIDA, etc.). This applies to a wide range of industrial fittings and electronics.
- Limit switches and position sensors: Must have redundant contacts and self-diagnosis.
- Shut-off valves with electro-pneumatic positioners: The activation time of the emergency relief valve (ESD) must correspond to the calculated interset time (for example, full closure in $t \le 2.0$ s).
- Frequency converters: The safety function STO (Safe Torque Off) according to DSTU EN 61800-5-2 is mandatory for drives of conveyors and elevators.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC): Only use controllers with 1002 or 2003 architecture redundancy.
SIL Compliance Checklist
A practical tool for the safety engineer and the chief energy engineer of the enterprise to check the condition of the equipment:
- [ ] Availability of an up-to-date safety passport for the technological line.
- [ ] Availability of SIL certificates for all components of the protection circuit (sensors, logic, actuators).
- [ ] Correspondence of the real response time to the calculated value.
- [ ] Presence of self-diagnosis function in sensors and actuators.
- [ ] Compliance with functional testing intervals (Proof Test Interval).
- [ ] Presence of seals on protective relays and PLC parameters.
- [ ] Keeping an electronic or paper log of security event registration.
- [ ] The presence of a reserve of certified components in the warehouse of ZIP.
- [ ] No unauthorized modifications in the control circuits.
- [ ] Availability of certificates from the subcontractor that performs maintenance of SIL circuits.
- [ ] Checking the condition of insulation and cable lines of the security system.
- [ ] Availability of operating instructions in Ukrainian.
- [ ] Checking the functionality of the emergency stop buttons (Emergency Stop).
- [ ] Availability of feedback channels on the state of executive mechanisms.
- [ ] Conducted training and certification of personnel on the operation of SIL systems.
Typical audit violations
State supervisory bodies and independent auditors during inspections of industrial enterprises most often record the following inconsistencies:
- Use of commercial general-purpose sensors instead of SIL-certified devices in critical circuits.
- No record of regular testing of security features within the last 12 months.
- Installation of spare parts of unknown origin during planned repairs due to the lack of original components in stock.
- Ignoring the service life of components (Mission Time) specified in the manufacturer's passport (usually 10-20 years).
- No PFDavg/PFH calculations for modified control systems.
Liability and penalties
Violation of legislation in the field of labor protection and industrial safety in Ukraine entails serious consequences for the enterprise and officials.
Operation of high-risk equipment without certified protection systems is a direct reason for stopping the production process by the State Labor Inspection on the basis of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
In the event of an accident at work, the absence of SIL certificates for protection components qualifies as a gross violation of safety rules. This leads to:
- Criminal responsibility of the head of the enterprise and the chief engineer under Art. 271 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
- Refusals of insurance companies to pay compensation due to violations of operating conditions.
- Huge losses from downtime of the enterprise during the conduct of judicial and technical examinations.
Conclusion
Choosing components with the appropriate SIL level is not just a formal requirement of European standards, but a guarantee of smooth and safe operation of an industrial enterprise. The use of certified parts reduces the risk of unscheduled stops and protects personnel. UNITEC-D GmbH offers a wide range of industrial components that meet strict European standards and have a full package of permits for operation in Ukraine. Check out the range in UNITEC-D E-Catalog to select reliable and certified spare parts.
List of regulatory references
- DSTU EN 61508:2014 Functional safety of electrical, electronic, programmable electronic systems related to safety.
- DSTU EN ISO 13849-1:2016 Safety of machines and mechanisms. Safety-related details of control systems.
- DSTU EN 62061:2017 Machine safety. Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems.
- Technical regulation of machine safety, approved by Resolution No. 62 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated January 30, 2013.
- Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on machines and mechanisms.