Postgraduate Diploma in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection. 8 modules covering IEC 61511 (safety instrumented systems in process industries), IEC 61508 (functional safety) and exSILentia (exida). Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the concept of protection layers in process risk.
Apply the LOPA methodology to risk scenarios.
Verify the independence and effectiveness of IPLs.
Assign the required SIL level to each instrumented function.
Verify the SIS design against the requirements of IEC 61511.
Manage the operation, testing and modification of the SIS.
Optimise IPL selection using technical and economic criteria.
Who it's for
- Functional safety engineer looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- SIS specialist looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- Instrumentation and control engineer looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- LOPA analyst looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- Process safety engineer looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- SIS management lead looking to specialise in LOPA, SIL and IPL Selection.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter refining and petrochemicals.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61511 (safety instrumented systems in process industries)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety)
- ANSI/ISA 84.00.01
- IEC 61882
- API 521 (pressure relief systems)
- Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1The concept of protection layers in the process industry1.2Risk scenarios and initiating events1.3Risk tolerability criteria1.4Frequency, severity and individual risk1.5The ALARP principle1.6Inherently safer design hierarchy1.7Relationship between HAZOP, LOPA and SIL1.8CCPS guidelines for LOPA1.9Seveso III Directive and RD 840/20151.10Case study: identifying scenarios from a HAZOP
2.1Selection of consequence scenarios2.2Typical initiating event frequencies2.3Conditional modifiers: ignition and occupancy2.4Probability of failure on demand of IPLs2.5Calculation of the mitigated frequency2.6Comparison with the risk target2.7LOPA worksheets2.8Common errors in LOPA studies2.9Quantitative versus semi-quantitative LOPA2.10Workshop: LOPA for overpressure in a reactor
3.1IPL criteria: independence, effectiveness and auditability3.2Basic process control system as an IPL3.3Alarms and operator response3.4Relief valves and rupture discs3.5Dykes, bunds and passive barriers3.6Safety instrumented systems3.7Common cause failures between layers3.8Maximum credits according to CCPS3.9Protections not valid as IPLs3.10Practice: validating IPLs in five scenarios
4.1IEC 61511 standard in the process industry4.2Safety lifecycle4.3SIL levels and PFDavg ranges4.4SIL determination by LOPA4.5Risk graph and calibration matrix4.6Low demand, high demand and continuous modes4.7Safety instrumented functions4.8Safety requirements specification (SRS)4.9Required risk reduction4.10Case study: SIL assignment to a high-level function
5.11oo1, 1oo2 and 2oo3 architectures5.2PFDavg calculation using simplified formulae5.3Failure rates and reliability data: OREDA and exida5.4Architectural constraints and fault tolerance5.5Safe failure fraction5.6Proof test interval5.7Common cause failures: beta factor5.8IEC 61508 certification of components5.9SIL calculation software5.10Laboratory: SIL verification of a 2oo3 loop
6.1Proof testing and its coverage6.2Bypass and override management6.3SIS change management6.4Functional safety assessment (FSA)6.5Personnel competence according to IEC 615116.6Demand and failure records6.7SIS cybersecurity: IEC 624436.8Audits and integrity maintenance6.9SIS performance indicators6.10Practice: periodic testing plan for an SIS
7.1Cost-benefit analysis of layers7.2Choosing between design measures and SIS7.3Optimisation of test intervals7.4Critical alarms and ISA 18.2 alarm management7.5Mitigation and emergency measures7.6LOPA review after modifications7.7Sensitivity analysis of results7.8Bowtie as a representation of barriers7.9Accident lessons: Buncefield7.10Case study: layer optimisation in a storage tank
8.1Process description and nodes8.2Selection of HAZOP scenarios8.3LOPA analysis of the scenarios8.4Validation of protection layers8.5SIL assignment to functions8.6Verification of SIS architectures8.7Safety requirements specification8.8Operation and testing plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is exSILentia (exida), PHA-Pro, GRIF, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: LOPA studies on HAZOP scenarios, PFDavg calculations, review of SIS periodic tests. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain el concepto de capas de protección en el riesgo de proceso.
Apply the LOPA methodology to risk scenarios.
Verify the independence and effectiveness of IPLs.
Assign the required SIL level to each instrumented function.
Verify the SIS design against the requirements of IEC 61511.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish language level to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme is 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses exSILentia (exida), PHA-Pro, GRIF and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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