Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
Using LOPA to examine risk levels of selected scenarios
Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is a method used to evaluate high-consequence scenarios determining if the combination of probability of occurrence and severity of consequences meets a company’s risk tolerance.
Managing process safety means understanding the many factors that contribute to risk and establishing appropriate measures for risk mitigation. LOPA addresses the key questions: “how safe is safe enough?”; “how many independent protection layers are needed?”; and “how much risk reduction should each layer provide?”
Our process safety specialists are comfortable with complexity and experienced in implementing the LOPA methodology. Upon completion of the analysis, the LOPA report promotes self-sufficiency by facilitating understanding among site personnel of process hazards.
Your Benefits
- Rational, semi-quantitative risk-based answers to key questions
- Documentation of each decision and the decision-making process
- Understanding of process hazards and how to prevent them
- The analysis and control of risks in technical processes and plants
Our Approach
Typically, a high-consequence scenario – which usually involves a combination of equipment and human failures – is identified during a qualitative hazard evaluation, such as a Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) or a Hazard and Operability study (HAZOP). LOPA is then implemented for a closer, more careful assessment of this scenario. LOPA is a quantitative screening tool which provides a consistent, objective, and defensible approach.
A LOPA can be visualized as a series of slices of Swiss cheese, whereby each slice is a layer of protection with a varying number and size of holes representing flaws. A high-consequence scenario occurs only if at least one of the holes in each slice “line-up,” allowing propagation of multiple failures. For components of a process-control system, such as safety instrumented systems and other components such as relief valves and rupture disks, it is important to know or estimate the probability of failure on demand.
We study the process under investigation to identify likely initiating events and estimate the frequency of initiating-event occurrence. We will then examine all process-control features and safeguards, estimating the reliability of protection provided and ensure the independence of each protection layer. With this information, the likelihood of occurrence (or frequency) of a given high-consequence scenario can be semi-quantitatively determined. Combining this likelihood with the severity of the consequences, an evaluation of risk is obtained.
A risk matrix is usually employed to show the possible combinations of likelihood and consequence severity. The risk thus obtained can be compared to the facility or corporation’s risk tolerance for presentation to site and/or corporate management. We prepare a comprehensive study report to serve as a record of the completed analysis, including descriptions of potential risks with the existing safeguards and with recommendations for additional safeguards, where warranted.
Why DEKRA?
- We are specialists for process security with experience in implementing the LOPA methodology.
- We have carried out countless layers of protection analysis and gained valuable experience we share with our customers.
- We emphasize a global presence, providing services in a variety of languages and know the local regulations, standards and cultures.
- We have pooled our knowledge of process safety engineering and process safety data, giving us a unique expertise in the market.