Glossary

BSP - Barrier Status Panel. The application described in this manual.

Barrier Strategy Area / Protected Area - A logically defined area of a facility for the purposes of barrier management. This may differ from a physical area, as the equipment protecting an area is not always located within it.

Barrier Function - A function implemented to prevent or mitigate a major accident hazard. Also referred to as a Safety and Environmentally Critical Barrier (SECB). Barrier functions are implemented through physical barrier elements.

Barrier Element - The physical or logical equipment that implements a barrier function, such as a sensor, valve, or trip system. Also referred to as Safety and Environmentally Critical Elements (SECEs).

Operational Barrier - A procedural barrier, such as competency requirements, risk assessments, or control of work processes.

Performance Standard - An industry-recognised standard that a barrier must adhere to, typically grouped by category such as fire and gas detection, process control, or emergency escape.

Major Accident Hazard (MAH) — A significant hazard identified through a formal hazard study, such as a fire, explosion, gas release, oil spill, or collision. Barriers are typically traceable back to one or more MAHs.

Bow-tie Diagram - A visual representation of the relationship between hazard causes, the central hazard event, and its consequences, with barriers shown on either side. Used to structure the barrier model.

BSP Signal - A standardised message produced by a data connector, containing information about the state of a piece of equipment or element. Signals are the unit of information processed by the business rules engine.

Impairment - A condition in which a barrier or barrier element is degraded or unavailable, reducing its ability to perform its protective function.

Score - A numerical value assigned to a barrier or element based on the type and criticality of impairments present, used to calculate status.