Safety-Critical Equipment
Safety-critical equipment is equipment whose failure could cause, permit, or fail to prevent a major safety consequence.
What this term means in maintenance
Safety-critical equipment is equipment whose failure could cause, permit, or fail to prevent a major safety consequence.
Examples
Safety-critical equipment may include:
- Emergency shutdown valves
- Fire pumps
- Gas detectors
- Relief devices
- Interlocks
- Trip systems
- Emergency generators
- Containment systems
Practical example
A high-pressure shutdown valve is classified as safety critical because failure could prevent safe isolation.
Management controls
The organization may define:
- Performance standard
- Inspection
- Proof testing
- Maintenance interval
- Competence
- Deferral rules
- Bypass control
- Verification
Data visibility
Safety-critical status should be visible in asset records and work prioritization.
Common mistake
Using asset criticality alone without identifying the exact safety function can create vague maintenance requirements.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Safety-Critical Maintenance
Safety-critical maintenance is work required to preserve the performance of equipment or functions that prevent or control major safety consequences.
Critical Asset
A critical asset is equipment whose failure could create an unacceptable impact on safety, environment, product quality, compliance, production, or business continuity.
Proof Test
A proof test is a planned test used to reveal hidden dangerous failures and confirm that a protective or safety function can perform as required.
Glossary FAQs
- What is safety-critical equipment?
Equipment whose failure could cause, permit, or fail to prevent a major safety consequence.
- What are examples of Safety-Critical Equipment?
Shutdown valves, fire pumps, gas detectors, relief devices, interlocks, trips, and emergency generators.
- What controls are required for Safety-Critical Equipment?
Performance standards, inspection, testing, competence, deferral, bypass control, and verification.