IMCA Marine Division

Publication Details

Guidelines on Failure Modes & Effects Analyses (FMEAs)

This guidance document was commissioned by IMCA to highlight best practice in the use of failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) techniques when applied to technical systems associated with offshore vessels.

An FMEA is an easy-to-use yet powerful pro-active engineering quality tool that assists in the identification and countering of weak points in the early design phase of products and processes. Whilst the emphasis of the document is on dynamic positioning (DP) systems, FMEA techniques can be applied to any system, whether applied to land-, sea- or air-based equipment or systems in which it is required that "no single failure shall cause a total failure of the system or process".

The document firstly answers frequently-asked questions relating to FMEAs in a 'What? Why? When?' format, before moving on the explain the background to FMEA work and the role of FMEAs in classification. The depth of FMEA reporting, the procedures and format of the final FMEA report are discussed. Finally, the additions to the FMEA process which can complement the analysis are briefly explored.

Contents

Executive Summary
Introduction
1. FAQs
2. Murphy's Law and FMEAs
3. FMEA standards and the classification societies
4. DP FMEA - How far do we go?
5. The FMEA process
6. Vessel audits and practical FMEA testing
7. Operations and maintenance
8. Additions to the FMEA process Appendix 1 - Definitions of terms used in the FMEA process
   Appendix 2 - Example of an FMEA worksheet and description of the FMEA worksheet fields
   Appendix 3 - Background and explanations of DP Class 2 and Class 3
   Appendix 4 - Types of DP failure mode uncovered by FMEAs
   Appendix 5 - References

The document acknowledges that developments in the industry will require review and updating of the document on a regular basis. With this in mind, IMCA invites any person with suggested improvements to forward them for consideration.