Regulations And Standards; General; Objective; Functional Safety - Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl Function Manual

Regulations and standards

2.1

General

2.1.1

Objective

Manufacturers and operators of technical equipment and products are responsible in
minimizing the risk from plants, machines and other technical equipment corresponding to
state-of-the-art technology. Regulations and standards are essential documents that define
the minimum requirements to minimize risks. By maintaining these minimum requirements,
the company erecting a plant or a manufacturer of a machine or a piece of equipment can
prove that they have fulfilled their obligation to exercise care and diligence.
Safety systems are designed to minimize potential hazards for both people and the
environment by means of suitable technical equipment, without restricting industrial production
and the use of machines more than necessary. Protection of man and the environment is to
be standardized using internationally harmonized safety standards. Further, unfair competition
due to different local requirements is to be avoided.
There are different concepts and requirements in the various regions and countries of the world
when it comes to ensuring the appropriate degree of safety. The legislation and the
requirements of how and when proof is to be given and whether there is an adequate level of
safety are just as different as the assignment of responsibilities.
For manufacturers of machines and companies that erect plants and systems it is important
that the local legislation and regulations always apply for that country where the machine or
plant is being operated. For example, the control system for a machine that is to be used in
the US must fulfill local US requirements even if the machinery construction company (OEM)
is based in the European Economic Area (EEA).
2.1.2

Functional safety

From the perspective of the object to be protected, safety is indivisible. The causes of hazards
and therefore also the technical measures to avoid them can vary significantly. This is the
reason that a differentiation is made between different types of safety - e.g. by specifying the
cause of possible hazards. "Functional safety" is involved if safety depends on the correct
function.
To ensure the functional safety of a machine or plant, the safety-related parts of the protection
and control devices must function correctly. In addition, the systems must behave in such a
way that either the plant remains in a safe state or it is brought into a safe state if a fault occurs.
Safety Integrated
Function Manual, 12/2017, 6FC5397-4BP40-6BA1
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