Failure Modes Effects Critical Analysis (FMECA)

A robust FMECA provides a defensible, data‑driven view of risk across life support, gas management, control and power systems. It enables you to:

• Prevent high‑consequence events by addressing critical single points of failure
• Prioritise maintenance and spares based on risk and criticality
• Strengthen compliance evidence for audits and client acceptance
• Reduce unplanned downtime through targeted design and procedural improvements
• Support safety cases, emergency response planning, and ALARP demonstrations

We tailor the analysis to your system architecture, operating profile, and regulatory requirements. Typical scope includes:

Surface-Supplied Systems

• Air/mixed gas panels, analysers, and distribution
• Umbilicals, winches, communications, and power supply
• LARS control and interlocks, deck interfaces, habitat support

Saturation Systems

• Saturation chambers, TUP, habitats, and environmental control
• Life support (scrubbers, heaters, oxygen dosing) and redundancy
• Gas storage, reclaim & purification, emergency supplies
• Integrated control rooms, alarms, PLC/SCADA, and power distribution

Cross-Cutting Functions

• Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic systems
• Instrumentation, sensors, DigiGauge/monitoring integrations
• Software, automation, and alarm management (including human factors)

We execute a clear, auditable process aligned to industry best practices:

1. System Definition & Decomposition
   Boundaries, interfaces, operating modes, and functional mapping.
2. Failure Mode Identification
   Component‑level failure modes (mechanical, electrical, software, human factors) with causes, detection methods, and leading indicators.
3. Effects & Consequences Analysis
   Local and system‑level effects on safety, mission, environment, and compliance.
4. Criticality Assessment
   Severity, occurrence, and detectability scoring; risk matrices; Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) or equivalent criticality indices.
5. Safeguards & Mitigation Review
   Existing barriers (design, procedural, alarms) and gap analysis.
6. Recommendations & Closure Planning
   Design changes, redundancy, maintenance tasks, test intervals, spares, procedural controls, training, and monitoring.
7. Verification & Validation
   Link findings to FAT/SAT, proof tests, drills, and PMS tasks for measurable risk reduction.

We provide comprehensive, practical outputs that slot straight into your management system:

• FMECA registers (components, modes, effects, criticality, controls)
• Risk matrices & heat maps for quick prioritisation
• Mitigation plans with accountable owners, due dates, and evidence requirements
• Maintenance & PMS integration: task lists, frequencies, calibration schedules
• Alarm & control system improvements: set‑points, inhibit rules, annunciation hierarchy
• Spares & obsolescence plans aligned to criticality and lead times
• Compliance evidence packs for audits and client acceptance (IMCA, IOGP, HSE, Classification as applicable)

FMECA is most effective when embedded in your Planned Maintenance System (PMS):

• Converts high‑risk failure modes into preventive tasks and inspections
• Sets test intervals for safety‑critical functions and emergency equipment
• Drives condition‑based maintenance and trend monitoring (MTBF/MTTR)
• Creates auditable links between risk controls, work orders, and certification

Enhance risk reduction and operational resilience with targeted upgrades:

• Redundancy additions for life support, power, and critical instrumentation
• Control system modernisation (PLC, alarm rationalisation, digital logging)
• Gas system safety improvements (analysis, interlocks, isolation strategies)
• Human factors reviews for procedures, interfaces, and training

• Diving domain expertise: Deep understanding of life support, gas systems, LARS, and automation in real-world operations
• Practical and auditable: Clear deliverables mapped to standards and client expectations
• Lifecycle support: From analysis to engineering upgrades, commissioning, and PMS implementation
• Global capability: Onshore and offshore delivery with rapid mobilisation

Protect your team and assets with a FMECA programme that delivers measurable risk reduction and audit‑ready evidence. 

Contact ORCA below to schedule a scoping workshop or request a FMECA proposal...