⚙️ HAZOP · What-IF · FMEA · SIL · IEC 61882 · IEC 61511 · Process Safety · Risk Reduction

HAZOP & Process Safety Studies

Systematic, node-by-node process hazard identification — improving plant safety, reducing insurance costs and demonstrating compliance with international standards.

Biogroup is a trusted provider with extensive experience in HAZOP studies and other systematic process safety analyses. We offer independent facilitation of HAZOP, What-IF and FMEA studies — applying guide-word methodology systematically to every process node, with the objective of identifying hazards and operability issues before they result in accidents or costly downtime.

Our experts provide a fully objective HAZOP — ensuring well-structured, facilitated meetings, encouraging creative solutions and delivering complete, actionable documentation that satisfies IEC 61882, IEC 61511, CCPS guidelines and Argentine Res. 306/2014.

Independent facilitation
Objective · systematic
IEC 61882 · 61511
International standards
HAZOP · What-IF · FMEA
Full method suite
+35 years
Process safety expertise
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Improve operational safety
Identify potential failure scenarios systematically before they materialise — reducing the probability of accidents that cause injuries, fatalities, property damage and production interruption. HAZOP findings directly inform engineering and procedural safety improvements.
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Minimise costs
Differentiate systematically between necessary and merely useful safety measures — creating a predictable cost basis, optimising resource allocation and avoiding unnecessary investment. HAZOP in the design phase costs a fraction of post-construction remedial action.
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Regulatory compliance
HAZOP is required or strongly recommended by IEC 61882, IEC 61511, Res. 306/2014 (Santa Fe), CCPS guidelines and international lender requirements (IFC EHS). Documented HAZOP studies improve insurance conditions and demonstrate due diligence.
What is a HAZOP study — the methodology explained
HAZOP — Hazard and Operability Study
A multidisciplinary team, guide words, systematic node-by-node deviation analysis — the most rigorous hazard identification method available for process plant.

In a HAZOP study, a multidisciplinary team of experts uses a systematic, guide-word-based approach to identify potential hazards arising from deviations from the design intent of processes associated with the operation and modification of the plant or installation. The HAZOP team evaluates the causes and consequences of each deviation, the existing safeguards, and the preventive measures for implementing corrective actions.

🎯 What HAZOP asks
What can go wrong? — systematic identification of all plausible deviations from design intent at each process node.
🔍 How HAZOP identifies it
Guide-word combinations applied to each design parameter — generating a complete matrix of plausible deviations that structured brainstorming would miss.
✅ What HAZOP produces
Action-oriented deviation tables: cause → consequence → existing safeguards → recommendations → assigned responsibility — the basis for engineering and procedural improvements.
Applicable to all process plant types: continuous processes, batch operations, piped systems, storage and handling facilities, control systems — both planned (greenfield design) and existing (retrofit, modification, periodic revalidation). Maximum effectiveness is achieved when performed during conceptual design, when recommendations can influence the overall design.
HAZOP guide words — the systematic deviation engine
Guide words ensure no deviation is overlooked — the key to HAZOP's completeness
Guide words are combined with process parameters to generate a complete matrix of deviations. A HAZOP study is only as complete as its guide-word application — an experienced facilitator applies each guide word to every parameter at every node, without shortcuts.
NO / NOT
Complete negation
The design intention is completely absent — no flow, no reaction, no transfer where it is intended.
e.g. NO FLOW → blocked valve, pump failure, pipe fracture
MORE
Quantitative increase
A quantitative increase in a parameter above design intent.
e.g. MORE FLOW → overfill, pressure surge · MORE TEMPERATURE → runaway
LESS
Quantitative decrease
A quantitative decrease in a parameter below design intent.
e.g. LESS FLOW → insufficient cooling · LESS LEVEL → pump cavitation
AS WELL AS
Qualitative addition
An additional component or activity occurs in addition to the design intent.
e.g. AS WELL AS → contamination, additional phase (liquid in gas line)
PART OF
Qualitative substitution
Only part of the design intention is achieved.
e.g. PART OF → partial reaction, incomplete separation
REVERSE
Logical opposite
The logical opposite of the design intention occurs.
e.g. REVERSE FLOW → backflow, siphoning · REVERSE REACTION
OTHER THAN
Complete substitution
A completely different activity from the design intention.
e.g. OTHER THAN → wrong material, incorrect operation sequence
EARLY / LATE
Timing deviation
Something occurs earlier or later than intended in time.
e.g. EARLY VALVE OPENING → high pressure exposure · LATE IGNITION
WHERE ELSE
Location deviation
Applicable to location — applies to spatial deviations from design.
e.g. WHERE ELSE → leakage path, alternative route for flow
Process parameters to which guide words are systematically applied
FlowPressureTemperatureLevelCompositionPhaseViscosityReaction rateTime/SequenceAgitationUtility services (cooling water, steam, power)Startup / shutdownMaintenanceInstrumentation / control
When to conduct a HAZOP — and related hazard identification methods
📅 When to conduct HAZOP
Conceptual design (FEED) — highest value; recommendations can influence overall design and layout before any capital has been committed.

Detailed design (HAZOP on P&IDs) — standard practice; applied to piping and instrumentation diagrams before construction begins.

Pre-startup (PSSR) — final verification before commissioning that all HAZOP recommendations have been implemented.

Existing plant revalidation — periodic reHAZOP for plants that have not been studied for 5+ years, or following significant process modifications.

Post-incident — root cause analysis using HAZOP-derived knowledge base.
🔧 Complementary methods
What-IF Analysis — structured brainstorming technique. More flexible than HAZOP; applicable to complex multi-purpose facilities. Often used in combination with HAZOP for comprehensive coverage.

FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) — IEC 60812; equipment-level failure mode analysis with Risk Priority Number (RPN). Required for SIL verification and safety instrumented system (SIS) design.

LOPA (Layer of Protection Analysis) — quantitative assessment of independent protection layers (IPLs) to determine whether existing safeguards achieve the required risk reduction target.

SIL verification — IEC 61511; determination of the Safety Integrity Level required for safety instrumented functions.
What Biogroup's HAZOP service includes
An independent, objective service — from scope definition to final action register
Experienced facilitator · modern data processing techniques · complete documentation · actionable recommendations
Study preparation
✓ Identification of study scope, objectives and boundaries
✓ Collection and review of P&IDs, PFDs, line lists, data sheets
✓ Node definition and list preparation
✓ Team composition — recommendation of specialist experts
✓ Meeting scheduling and preparation of HAZOP worksheets
Study execution
✓ Independent facilitation by experienced HAZOP leader
✓ Guide-word application to all parameters at each node
✓ Cause, consequence, safeguard and recommendation recording
✓ Risk ranking of identified scenarios (consequence × frequency matrix)
✓ Live documentation using modern HAZOP data processing software
Documentation and deliverables
✓ Complete HAZOP worksheets — deviation tables per node
✓ Action register with assigned owners and target completion dates
✓ Risk ranking matrix for all identified scenarios
✓ Executive summary with prioritised safety recommendations
✓ Compatibility with IEC 61882 formal report requirements
Follow-up support
✓ Recommendation close-out verification (if required)
✓ LOPA (Layer of Protection Analysis) for high-priority scenarios
✓ SIL determination for safety instrumented functions
✓ Integration with full Risk Analysis study (Res. 306/2014)
✓ Revalidation study after process modifications
Industries we serve
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Petroleum refining
Distillation · cracking · hydrotreating
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Chemical manufacturing
Reactive systems · hazardous chemicals
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Agro-industrial
Grain · oilseed · solvent extraction
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Fertilisers
NH₃ · HNO₃ · urea · dangerous reactions
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Industrial gases
Pressurised storage · liquefied gas
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Pharmaceutical
GMP · reactive synthesis · solvents
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Electrochemical
Battery · electrolysis · acid handling
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Hazardous materials logistics
Loading · unloading · storage · transfer
Standards and regulatory references
Applicable standards and regulatory references
IEC 61882:2016
HAZOP application guide
International standard covering the full HAZOP study procedure — guide words, recording format, team composition and report requirements
IEC 61511
Safety Instrumented Systems
Functional safety for safety instrumented systems in the process industry. HAZOP is a key input for hazard and risk assessment (Part 1, Clause 8)
IEC 60812
FMEA procedure
Standard for failure mode and effects analysis — complementary to HAZOP for equipment-level failure mode identification and SIL verification
CCPS Guidelines
Center for Chemical Process Safety
Chemical Process Safety guidelines — Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures (AIChE/CCPS) — the industry reference for PHAs
Res. 306/2014
Santa Fe Environment Agency
Argentine provincial regulation requiring Risk Analysis Studies incorporating HAZOP/What-IF methodology for hazardous industrial facilities
API RP 14C / 14J
Oil & gas process safety
API recommended practices for process safety analysis in upstream oil and gas operations — complementary to IEC 61882
Related services
HAZOP · What-IF · FMEA · SIL · IEC 61882 · IEC 61511 · Res. 306/2014
Need a HAZOP or process safety study?
Contact us to discuss the scope and objectives of your study. Biogroup provides independent, experienced facilitation that satisfies IEC 61882, IEC 61511, CCPS guidelines and Argentine regulatory requirements.
Request a HAZOP study →
📞 +54 341 425-6431 ✉ biogroup@biogroup.com.ar 📍 3 de febrero 920 · Rosario, Argentina Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00