Learning

What is FMECA?

FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) is an analysis method used in engineering and other fields to identify potential types of failures, assess their consequences, and determine the criticality of these failures for a system or process.

FMECA may be performed at the functional or piece-part level.

Functional level considers the effects of failure at the functional block level, such as a power supply or an amplifier. Piece-part FMECA considers the effects of individual component failures, such as resistors, transistors, microcircuits, or valves.

Piece-part FMECA requires far more effort, but provides the benefit of better estimates of probabilities of occurrence. However, Functional FMEAs can be performed much earlier, may help to better structure the complete risk assessment and provide other type of insight in mitigation options. The analyses are complementary.

CIRNAT and FMECA

CIRNAT is a digitized adaptation of the Failure Mode, Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECA) methodology widely used in the asset management industry to determine the condition of assets.

FMECA is used in CIRNAT as following:

  • First, the user is asked to completely dismantle the infrastructure of both water supply and sewage. To help the water company structure its thinking, we provide a ready-to-use decomposition of the water company. However, since each water channel is different, the user can customize and change the decomposition.
  • Secondly, the user revises or adjusts the definition of risk, which is a combination of effect and probability. CIRNAT provides standard definitions, but the user can adjust them to suit their local situation.
  • Thirdly, based on the decomposition from step 1, the user indicates which risks (using the effect and probability from step 2) infrastructure components/processes may fail, which solutions are required and how much it will cost, and what new (reduced) risk will be after the implementation of the solution.
  • Lastly, based on steps 1–3, the tool automatically generates an overview of the components and processes exposed to the greatest risk, the cost of reducing that risk, and the new risk. We call this the priority matrix.
More about FMECA

Proactive approach

We learned that it is not easy for water companies to ask for help either. It is important to guide them
at meetings, check and ask them. We learned that more help to the water company, through the steps written above, will improve the quality of the assessment.

Between inspections, representatives of the project support service and the project manager were in constant contact with water utilities, offering them help and guidance, or encouraging them to contact engineers. We learned that it is necessary to actively contact water utilities in order to help them. Therefore, we advise you to be very proactive in any future cooperation with CIRNAT and water utilities.

Learning module

Henk Nieboer has created two online courses to explain CIRNAT concepts. Courses can be found here:

Always take into account the situation of water utilities

We often experience small delays due to local situations, shelling and attacks, or power outages. For example, Sumy has experienced some delays due to recent drone attacks.