Meeting functional safety standards in industrial environments is an essential part of maintaining safe, compliant and productive operations. These standards help ensure that automated systems and control equipment are designed and operated in a way that prevents harm to workers, assets and the environment.
For many Australian industries, understanding how to meet functional safety requirements such as ISO 13849 and IEC 61511 is a key part of delivering safe and reliable performance. In this blog, we explain what these standards involve, the challenges that can arise, and how our engineering team at Triple i works with clients to meet them through expert design, certification, and support.
What Functional Safety Means in Industrial Settings
Functional safety refers to the part of overall safety that depends on systems responding correctly to inputs, especially during abnormal or fault conditions. In industrial environments, this includes safety controllers, emergency shutdown systems, interlocks and monitoring devices.
Standards such as IEC 61511 (used in the process industries) and ISO 13849 (applied to machinery and automation systems) set out clear expectations for how these systems should be designed, tested and maintained.
At Triple i, our engineers are trained to assess and implement safety systems that align with these international standards while considering the practical realities of your facility’s operations.
Why Functional Safety Matters to Operations and Compliance
A well-designed functional safety system helps reduce the likelihood of incidents, supports compliance with regulations, and improves operational performance by avoiding unexpected shutdowns or unsafe conditions.
For plant managers and engineers, this means fewer manual interventions, clearer fault detection, and better integration between safety systems and control platforms. For senior decision-makers, it supports business continuity and helps meet environmental and health and safety responsibilities.
To explore how we support functional safety in regulated areas, see our Hazardous Areas Solution Spotlight.
How Triple i Supports Compliance With Functional Safety Standards
Our team delivers tailored solutions that help organisations meet functional safety requirements across a wide range of industries. Our work covers all stages of the safety lifecycle, from initial assessment to design, installation and ongoing validation.
Safety Assessments and Audits
We begin by reviewing your existing systems and identifying any gaps in performance or documentation. This includes defining the required Safety Integrity Level (SIL), identifying hazards, and reviewing the logic and architecture of existing protection systems.
System Design and Control Integration
Our engineers then design or update your control systems to meet the required standards. This includes safety PLC programming, alarm handling, interlocks and redundancy. All work is carried out in line with international guidelines, using proven hardware and software platforms.
Learn more about our engineering services to see how we deliver safe and practical automation systems.
Compliance in Hazardous Areas
Many of our projects involve hazardous area installations, where safety standards overlap with environmental and explosion protection requirements. Our team is certified in IEC 60079 and AS/NZS 60079, allowing us to design and install systems that comply with electrical safety rules for explosive zones.
To learn more about our services in this space, visit our Hazardous Areas page.
Our Certifications and Technical Capability
Triple i holds certifications that demonstrate our commitment to safety, quality and performance. These include:
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
- ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety
- IEC 60079 – Explosive Atmospheres Compliance
- AS/NZS 60079 – Electrical Equipment for Hazardous Areas
These accreditations support our ability to deliver consistent results while working to the latest standards. You can read more about how we approach quality, compliance and sustainability at Our Commitment.
Common Challenges in Meeting Functional Safety Standards
Limited or Outdated Documentation
Many facilities operate with ageing equipment or legacy systems that were not designed with modern safety standards in mind. Our team reviews and maps existing systems, allowing for safe upgrades and accurate validation.
Defining the Right Safety Integrity Level
Selecting the correct level of safety for each part of a process is not always straightforward. Our engineers work through the SIL determination process with you, taking into account both technical requirements and operational needs.
Balancing Safety with Usability
Functional safety systems should not interfere with day-to-day operations. Our solutions are designed to be easy for operators to use while still delivering the required protection. We focus on user-friendly HMI interfaces, clear fault messages, and proper training for site teams.
Start Building a Safer and More Compliant Operation
Functional safety is an essential part of industrial performance, risk reduction and compliance. Whether you are upgrading a legacy system, introducing new automation, or reviewing plant-wide safety requirements, our team can help.
Get in touch with Triple i to discuss your next functional safety project. We will guide you through every step, providing tailored engineering and control solutions that meet both your operational goals and safety responsibilities.