Compatibility with IEC 61508 / IEC 61511

The increased use of computer-based safety systems has resulted in functional safety standards like IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. IEC 61508 provides a basis for specification, design and operation of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) with emphasis on safety activities related to each lifecycle phase of the system.

The PDS method is in line with the main principles advocated in the IEC standards, and together with the PDS data handbook, it offers an effective and practical approach towards implementing the quantitative aspects of the standards. To overcome some of the weaknesses in the IEC standards, the PDS method uses a slightly different interpretation of failure classification, and suggests an alternative approach to modelling of common cause failures and how to incorporate systematic failures.