Designers need to ensure that the overall goal of a system is achieved, including the engineering safety and RAM performance requirements, to ensure that the service performance objectives are delivered.
We work closely with clients from the outset of a project to clearly define RAMS requirements so that these can be implemented and integrated into the various project phases. Our dedicated team provides the full spectrum of RAMS engineering, RAMS management, engineering safety management, risk assessment and independent safety assessment (ISA).
We advise clients on RAMS specifications and undertake RAMS assessments to demonstrate compliance to all system performance requirements.
RAM engineering
We use structured RAM assessments to demonstrate theoretical achievement of the defined systems targets during the different system lifecycle. We assist clients in determining system targets on projects where these have not been defined. Our assessments identify the need for reliability and availability improvements which may be achieved by introducing engineering features such as redundancy, diversity and remote condition monitoring.
We select appropriate RAM analysis methods for each projects based on the desired outputs. Using various RAM analysis methods we help support engineering designs at different phases of a system lifecycle. These include:
- Failure modes and effects analysis
- Failure modes, effects and criticality analysis
- Fault tree analysis
- Reliability block diagram
- Parts count analysis
- Dependent failure assessment (common cause failure analysis)
- Monte Carlo simulations
We typically produce tailored deliverables for all projects. The ability to draw on the multidisciplinary resources and knowledge of the global Group means we can undertake work across a range of sectors around the world. Also, our RAM assessments are carried out in accordance to internationally accepted industry standards as applicable to specific project needs.
Engineering safety management (ESM)
Safety is, of course, key in the design, manufacture, testing and commissioning and delivery phases of any product or system. Our safety consultants are highly experienced in undertaking ESM for clients covering a range of industries and systems. We deploy industry-specific safety techniques to provide assurance that required levels of safety have been achieved in the design and function of systems.
Our team undertakes safety assessments to identify and record safety issues and trace safety compliance for systems on each project. We choose appropriate safety assessment techniques to be implemented on each project, such as:
• Hazard Identification (HAZID)
• Hazard and Operability (HAZOP)
• Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)
• Interface Hazard Assessment (IHA)
• Operation and Support Hazard Assessment (OSHA)
We record all identified hazards in a log used to monitor and manage product or system hazards. The hazard log provides a central control and traceability of hazard management activities. We typically produce tailored deliverables for all projects to satisfy project safety requirements plus comply with industry and national standards. These are geared towards providing safety assurance to all project stakeholders.
Independent safety assessment (ISA)
In accordance with national and international standards, independent safety assessments (ISA) are sometimes required to provide further assurance that the required level of safety has been achieved in the design and function of the system. ISAs are often carried out on important sub-systems, any safety-critical equipment component, and safety cases that have been prepared on behalf of the operator.
We have extensive experience in carrying out ISAs for clients covering a wide range of systems and products. As a fully independent company, Mott MacDonald is not associated with any contracting or manufacturing industry. This, combined with our extensive experience, make us the ideal choice to carry out ISA consultancy work.
Our early involvement in ISA work provides a number of value and benefits to clients. It enables us to establish efficient integration of the acceptance criteria into the project, checking that safety assurance case covers all likely normal and emergency conditions and identifying constraints required for safe operation. We can also make all relevant parties aware of their responsibilities in the safety regime.
Our RAMS assessment team
Our reliability and safety team brings experience from many industries and includes loss prevention engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, all supported by our systems engineers and human factors specialists.
We are members of key professional bodies: The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Safety and Reliability Society (SaRS). Our team uses industry standard RAM assessment software packages and processes to support engineering design activities throughout the system lifecycle. We also provide stand-alone RAMS services.