Fault Tree Analysis - Fundamentals

Fault Tree Analysis is a top down, deductive failure analysis that identifies combinations of events that would lead to an undesired system event. This technique is mainly used in safety and reliability engineering to understand how systems can fail, to identify the best ways to reduce risk and quantify the probability of undesired events.

Description

This course covers the fundamentals of Fault Tree Analysis with the following aims:

  • Familiarise delegates with Fault Tree Analysis principles (terminology, process, symbols).
  • To equip delegates with the skills to construct a basic fault tree.
  • To enable delegates to evaluate basic fault trees numerically.

This course is not intended to provide specific training on tools or techniques. If these are of interest, please review our other Standard Courses or contact us to discuss bespoke training options.

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended as an introduction to the subject for anybody required to construct, evaluate and critique fault trees.

Prerequisites

The course does not assume any prior knowledge on the subject of Reliability or Safety Engineering, with fundamental concepts and terminology being introduced.

Duration

6 hours 3 x 2 hour sessions 

 

Agenda

Course Topics Include:

  • Background to Fault Tree Analysis
    • Purpose of FTA
    • Symbols and Definitions
    • Fault Tree Analysis Process
  • Fault Tree Construction
    • Boolean Logic
    • Top Event Definition
    • Construction Guidelines
  • Fault Tree Evaluation
    • Cut Sets
    • Basic Probability Theory
    • Performing Probability Calculations for AND/OR gates with up to 3 events
  • Additional Considerations