Skip to main content
PFD

PFD

9.9
The chance that a safety system will fail when needed
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : probabilidad de fallo a la demanda
  • In safety audits, a low PFD indicates a high level of reliability in the systems designed to prevent accidents.

Examples

  • The PFD, or probability of failure on demand, is a key metric in assessing the reliability of safety systems.

  • Unless they are specifically designed out, any PFD calculation that does not make allowance for these concerns is likely to be unrealistic.

    Blog text (32)
  • In order to calculate the probability of failure on demand (PFD), it is necessary to identify estimates of equipment failure rates.

    Blog text (32)
  • To ensure system safety, engineers must calculate the PFD to understand the probability of failure during critical functions.

How Likely

high-risk
54 4.4
PFD
  • Specialized
9.9
fail-safe
  • Specialized
3 5.6

Surface Forms

PFD singular
PFDs plural

Etymology

PFD stands for Probability of Failure on Demand, where Probability means 'chance', Failure means 'not work', and on Demand means 'when needed'. So a PFD measures the chance that a safety system will not work when it is needed.