SINTEF has developed a method for quantifying the reliability/availability of safety instrumented systems (SIS), called the PDS method. The method is widely used in the petroleum industry, but is also applicable to other business sectors.
The PDS method is in line with the main principles advocated in the IEC 61508 / 61511 standards, and is a very useful tool when implementing and verifying quantitative (SIL) requirements as described in these standards. The PDS data handbook is based on extensive experience with operation of instrumented safety systems in the Norwegian petroleum industry and presents data applicable for performing SIL analyses according to IEC 61508 / 61511.
PDS Forum is a co-operation between around 25 participants representing oil companies, drilling and well service companies, engineering companies, consultants, vendors and researchers, with a special interest in Safety Instrumented systems. The participants are meeting twice a year for workshops, presentations and technical discussion.
Most members of the PDS Forum are also members of CDS-forum, an Industry Forum for Cybersecurity of Industrial Automation and Control Systems.