System Safety and Reliability Engineering Flashcards

What does 'reliability' mean in the context of systems engineering?

Answer: The ability of a system to perform its required function under stated conditions for a specified period of time

Reliability is defined as the probability that a system performs its required function under stated conditions for a specified time period.

In systems engineering, what is a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) used for?

Answer: Identifying potential failure modes and assessing their impact on system performance

FMEA systematically identifies potential failure modes, determines their effects, and prioritizes them so engineers can mitigate the most critical risks.

What does 'Mean Time Between Failures' (MTBF) measure?

Answer: The average time a repairable system operates between successive failures

MTBF is the average operating time between successive failures for a repairable system, and is a key reliability metric.

In a fault tree analysis (FTA), the top-level event represents:

Answer: The undesired system-level event that the analysis seeks to prevent

In FTA, the top event is the undesired outcome (e.g., system failure) that engineers analyze by tracing down to root causes.

Which of the following is a key difference between safety and reliability?

Answer: Safety focuses on preventing hazardous outcomes; reliability focuses on consistent performance over time

Safety is concerned with preventing hazards that could cause harm, while reliability is concerned with the system's ability to perform consistently over time.

What is a 'hazard' in systems engineering safety terminology?

Answer: A condition or state that could lead to an undesired event causing harm

A hazard is a condition or state that, if left uncontrolled, could lead to an accident or undesired event causing harm to people, property, or the environment.