Safety Instrumented System Selection

This Selection Guide includes both selection criteria and strategies for choosing the correct safety instrumented system and supplier.

Process Safety Instrumented Systems Selection Overview

​The scope of the criteria covers the needs of Process Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) including communications with other systems, instrumentation, and networks.  The guide allows those involved in a Safety Instrumented System selection process to make quicker and improved decisions. 

The need for a Safety Instrumented System has never been more important than it is today.  In addition, a modern SIS needs to be able to easily integrate with other systems and technologies from a distributed control system to HMI and SCADA.  Not only is it necessary to ensure uninterrupted operation, but it is also necessary to ensure reliability and safety of processes under all conditions.

A Safety Instrumented System selection has become mission critical.  The total solution has become complex and functionality involves the combination of an expanded range of capabilities and specific technology requirements.  While product plays a major role, suppliers have specific domain expertise, geographical presence, and knowledge of certain industry dynamics.  These must all be evaluated in a supplier selection process.

Safety Instrumented Systems Strategic Issues

ARC has been researching the Safety Instrumented System market for decades and we know the issues: 

• Application fit and function
• Support and training
• Integration of control and safety
• Supporting domestic and international standards
• Certification levels and “Safety Manual”
• Diagnostics requirements
• SOE and event recording
• Supporting standards and de-facto standards for interoperability
• Standards for programming
• Cyber security commitment
• SIS supplier support for domains – fire and safety, ESD, turbo machinery control, etc.
• SIS for high availability control, automated startups/shutdowns

This ARC Selection Guide will help you select the best available SIS to meet your needs now and in the future.