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 method is continuously updated, and new method and data handbooks were issued in January 2010. The 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
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.