scope:

This document presents provisions for designing, installing, and testing both process safety and non-marine emergency support systems (ESSs) on an offshore production facility. The basic concepts of a facility safety system are discussed, and protection methods and requirements of the system are outlined.

For the purposes of this document, all process components from the surface wellhead and/or topside boarding valve are considered. For subsea equipment, Figure 1 provides a description between the scope of API 17V and this document.

API 17V is a companion document, which provides guidance for subsea safety systems. This document illustrates how system analysis methods can be used to determine safety requirements to protect common process components. Actual analyses of the principal components are developed in such a manner that the requirements are typically applicable whenever the component is used in the process. However, it is incumbent on the user to apply appropriate additional hazardous analysis methodologies to ensure that hazards are identified and mitigated.

This document also includes:

a) a method to document and verify process safety system functions [i.e. safety analysis function evaluation (SAFE chart)];

b) design guidance for ancillary systems such as pneumatic supply systems and liquid containment systems;

c) a uniform method of identifying and symbolizing safety devices;

d) procedures for testing common safety devices with recommendations for test data and acceptable test tolerances.

Detailed process safety system design is not discussed and should be left to the discretion of the designer as long as the recommended safety functions are properly implemented. Rotating machinery is considered in this document as a unitized process component as it interfaces with the platform safety system. When rotating machinery (such as a pump or compressor) installed as a unit consists of several process components, each component can be analyzed as prescribed in this document.

Annex A contains a safety analysis for each process component commonly used in a production process, including a checklist of additional criteria for consideration when the component is used in a specific process configuration.