Failure Data Collection
Failure analysis of
safety-critical and
mission-critical equipment on
the field use stage requires
failure data collection and
statistical analysis.
To accomplish this goal special
software system called
FRACAS (
Failure
Reporting, Analysis and
Corrective Actions System)
should be used.
Collected data are subject to
statistical analysis. Such
system also gives real-time
added value for the organization
and acts like fleet management
system,
safety management system,
workflow system with alerts and
escalation and more.
Collected statistics and
obtained field failure rates
could be used in all failure
analysis methods mentioned
below.
See
FRACAS (FavoWeb) System
FMECA
Hardware
FMEA and
FMECA (
Failure Mode,
Effects and Criticality Analysis)
is a continuation of system
reliability analysis. It is
required and compatible with
MIL-STD-1629A and other
standards (like GJB 1391, GJB
1392, AIR FORCE SMC REGULATION
800-31 and more). Many standards
and regulations for aerospace,
defence, telecommunications,
electronic and other industries
require that FMECA analysis must
be performed for all
designed/manufactured/acquisition
systems, especially if they are
mission or safety critical.
FMECA includes failure analysis,
criticality analysis and
testability analysis. It
analyzes different failure modes
and their effects on the system,
classifies and prioritizes end
effects level of importance
based on failure rate and
severity of the effect of
failure.
See RAM Commander
FMECA Software Tool
FMEA
Potential FMEA (
Failure
Mode and Effects Analysis)
is analytical technique utilized
as a mean to assure that, to the
extent possible, potential
failure modes and their
associated causes/mechanisms
have been considered and
addressed. Corrective actions
are suggested and selected for
implementation and control plan
is formed as part of the
procedure.
Potential Failure Mode and
Effects Analysis (FMEA) complies
with AIAG, QS-9000, SAE J 1739,
IEC 60812, JEP131 and other
standards, sometimes called
"automotive" or "AIAG"
(Automotive Industry Action
Group) FMEA. It is required by
many other standards like ISO
14971 (Medical devices risk
management) and more.
See RAM Commander
FMEA Software Tool
Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
Fault Trees are one of
the most widely used methods in
system reliability and failure
probability analysis. A Fault
Tree is a graphical
representation of events in a
hierarchical, tree-like
structure. It is used to
determine various combinations
of hardware, software, and human
error failures that could result
in a specified risk or system
failure. System failures are
often referred to as top events.
A deductive analysis using a
Fault Tree begins with a general
conclusion or hazard, which is
displayed at the top of a
hierarchical tree. This
deductive analysis is the final
event in a sequence of events
for which the Fault Tree is used
to determine if a failure will
occur or, alternatively, can be
used to stop the failure from
occurring.
Fault Trees investigate
consequences of multiple
simultaneous failures or events,
and here its main advantage over
FMEA/FMECA, which investigate
single-pint failures.
See RAM Commander
Fault Tree Analysis Software
Tool
Event Tree Analysis (ETA)
It is an inductive
failure analysis performed to
determine the consequences of
single failure for the overall
system risk or reliability.
Event Tree Analysis uses
similar logic and mathematics as
Fault Tree Analysis, but the
approach is different - FTA uses
deductive approach (from system
failure to it's reasons) and ETA
uses the inductive approach
(from basic failure to it's
consequences).
An event tree itself is a visual
representation of single failure
sequences, it's influence on
other events and on the whole
system.
See RAM Commander
ETA Software Tool
