Digest
Can a “fail open” valve fail closed? — Process Safety Beacon, June 2020
Can a “fail open” valve fail closed? — Process Safety Beacon, June 2020
- CCPS
- Digest
- Process Safety Beacon June 2020
- Inspection and MaintenanceMachinery and EquipmentProcess Safety
- Mechanical failureProcess safety
- Inspection and maintenance
- Valve
- Risk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
A batch reactor incident illustrates how a valve designated fail open can remain closed when its mechanical linkage fails. The bulletin distinguishes utility-loss positions from other failure modes, discusses field observation of valve operation, and asks participants in hazard identification and change reviews to consider unintended valve positions.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Summary
One-page Beacon on how valves designed to fail open can still fail closed, and the process safety implications.
Process Safety Beacon June 2020. Themes: inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment, process safety.