Safety Architecture
Section 06: System Safety & Functional Safety
Definition
The set of design features, architectural decisions, and implementation strategies that collectively provide the system's ability to meet safety objectives. A safety architecture encompasses redundancy schemes, independence provisions, fault detection and monitoring mechanisms, reconfiguration strategies, crew alerting, reversionary modes, and the overall allocation of safety requirements to hardware, software, and operational procedures. The safety architecture is defined during the system development process (per ARP4754B) and is evaluated through the safety assessment process (per ARP4761A).
Where This Shows Up
The safety architecture is not a single document but a design concept that pervades the system design. It is expressed through architecture diagrams, safety requirement documents, and interface definitions. The adequacy of the safety architecture is demonstrated through the PSSA and SSA. A well-designed safety architecture provides defense in depth: multiple independent barriers between a single failure and a catastrophic outcome.
Primary Sources
Describes how safety architecture is developed and validated within the aircraft development process.
Related Terms
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