BS EN 61508-6:2010

What is BS EN 61508-6 - Functional safety of programmable electronic safety-related systems about?

BS EN 61508-6 is the sixth part of the BS EN 61508 multi-series that discusses the functional safety of electrical/electronic/ programmable electronic safety-related systems. BS EN 61508-6 contains information and guidelines on IEC 61508-2 and IEC 61508-3.

• Annex A gives a brief overview of the requirements of IEC 61508-2 and IEC 61508-3 and sets out the functional steps in their application
• Annex B gives an example technique for calculating the probabilities of hardware failure and should be read in conjunction with 7.4.3 and Annex C of IEC 61508-2 and Annex D
• Annex C gives a worked example of calculating diagnostic coverage and should be read in conjunction with Annex C of IEC 61508-2
• Annex D gives a methodology for quantifying the effect of hardware-related common cause failures on the probability of failure
• Annex E gives worked examples of the application of the software safety integrity tables specified in Annex A of IEC 61508-3 for safety integrity levels 2 and 3

Who is BS EN 61508-6 - Functional safety of programmable electronic safety-related systems for?

BS EN 61508-6 on the functional safety of electrical/electronic/ programmable electronic safety-related systems is useful for:

• Safety engineers
• Manufacturers of electrical, electronic and programmable electronic safety devices
• Suppliers of electronic safety devices
• Regulatory bodies

Why should you use BS EN 61508-6 - Functional safety of programmable electronic safety-related systems?

Systems comprised of electrical and/or electronic elements have been used for many years to perform safety functions in most application sectors. Computer-based systems (generically referred to as programmable electronic systems) are being used in all application sectors to perform non-safety functions and, increasingly, to perform safety functions. If computer system technology is to be effectively and safely exploited; it is essential that those responsible for making decisions have sufficient guidance on the safety aspects on which to make these decisions.

BS EN 61508-6 provides you with application guidelines for IEC 61508-2 and IEC 61508-3 that help you to:

• Adopt a risk-based approach by which the safety integrity requirements can be determined
• Introduce safety integrity levels for specifying the target level of safety integrity for the safety functions to be implemented by the E/E/PE safety-related systems
• Set target failure measures for safety functions carried out by E/E/PE safety-related systems, which are linked to the safety integrity levels

In conclusion, BS EN 61508-6 helps you to accurately apply the guidelines of IEC 61508-2 and IEC 61508-3 in your programmable electronic safety-related systems and enhance their functional safety.

A Commented Version (CMV) of this standard series is available here. Please note, the CMV of the standard is not adopted, and therefore doesn’t contain an additional national foreword, or national annex that might be contained in the BS adoption of the standard. However the IEC text that forms the content of the standard is identical to the BS adoption of the standard.

Commented Versions (CMVs) are specialized publications featuring detailed commentary from technical experts on the major changes between the new edition of a standard and the previous one. Comments may include an explanation for the changes as well as information on the impact of these changes on the application and usability of the standard.