Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Verification and validation

SIL validation

Also known as: SIS safety validation

German: SIL-Validierung

In functional safety under IEC 61511, SIL validation (SIS safety validation) is the activity of demonstrating, by inspection and testing of the installed and commissioned system, that the safety instrumented system and its functions meet the safety requirements specification.

  • Verification
  • Functional safety

In one sentence

SIL validation shows by inspection and testing that the installed safety instrumented system meets its safety requirements specification.

Example

Before startup, the team forces each process condition at the field sensors, confirms that the correct valves close within the specified time and signs off each SIF in the validation report.

How it applies

  • Commissioning: Validation takes place after installation and commissioning and before the hazards are present. It covers the complete functions from sensor to final element, including diagnostics, bypasses, resets and manual shutdown.
  • Planning: A Validation plan defines the tests, acceptance criteria, responsible persons and required documentation in advance.
  • Deviations: Failed tests lead to corrections and repeated tests. The validation report records the result of each function and any open items.
  • Documentation: Validation records are key Safety evidence. The documentation team should make sure each test result traces back to an SRS requirement and that the installed software version and configuration are recorded.

SIL validation vs. SIL verification

SIL verification checks that the outputs of each lifecycle phase meet its inputs, for example that the calculated failure measure meets the required SIL. SIL validation checks the finished, installed system against the SRS. Passing a calculation does not replace validation, and a successful test does not prove the failure probability.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: IEC 61511-1:2016, Functional safety — Safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector — Part 1: Framework, definitions, system, hardware and application programming requirements

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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