Description / Abstract:
FOREWORD
This Bulletin presents concepts, techniques, and procedures for performing Failure Mode and Effect Analyses. Technical and functional interfaces with associated disciplines of maintainability analysis, safety analysis, and systems effectiveness are described so as to develop a broad understanding of the objectives of performing Failure Mode and Effect Analyses.
This Bulletin has been published by the Electronic Industries Association in the belief that the approach will interest and benefit those responsible for Failure Mode and Effect Analysis development and use, and contribute to the timely acquisition of effective electronic systems.
This Bulletin was prepared for the Electronic Industries Association G-41 Reliability Committee under the Chairmanship of E. D. Karmiol by a special task group (69-001) consisting of:
Introduction
This Reliability Bulletin is provided as a ·guide for engineering and management personnel concerned with Failure Mode and Effect Analyses (FMEA).* In addition, it provides information concerning technical and functional relationship of Failure Mode and Effect Analyses to associated disciplines, as for example, Maintainability, Safety, and System Effectiveness Analyses. This Bulletin covers requirements, concepts, interface, procedures and reports of FMEk. This Bulletin should contribute to greater utilization of FMEA results and to the understanding and appreciation of the purpose of FMEA on the part of engineering and management personnel.
Failure Mode and Effect Analysis is the study of a system, or - portion thereof and working inter-relationships of its elements, to determine ways in which failures can occur (failure modes), effects of each potential failure on- the system element in which it occurs and on other system elements, and the probable overall consequences (criticality) of each failure mode on the success of the system's mission. Criticalities are usually assigned by categories, each category being defined in terms of a specified degree of loss o-f mission objectives or degradation of personnel safety. Although it is recognized that the human element can be, and frequently is a major influence in both causing as well as avoiding failures, this aspect is not specifically treated in this Bulletin.
Reporting of Failure Mode and Effect Analyses is an important action critical to communications of data to and f~om personnel performing related analyses and planning of design and developmeht, evalua~ion, testing, 'quality assurance, logistics and operations.