The contract involves the supply for Quantitative Risk Analysis calculations in The Netherlands. The software is a dedicated Dutch version of the Safeti risk analysis program, called Safeti-NL, for a minimum period of five years.

The contract was awarded to DNV Software by The Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) in conjunction with National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

A new Dutch law, known as the BEVI legislation, has been introduced which prescribes the maximum allowable individual risk (risk at a specific location). Therefore unique results for QRA studies for installations in the Netherlands are desirable. However, a previous Dutch study, known as the BRAM study, revealed that different QRA software packages often give very different results. In conjunction with this, an EU tender was issued by the Dutch government. Major QRA software providers (including those within and outside the Netherlands) took part in this tender.

Adopted selection criteria included ease of use, quality of the user interface and consequence/risk models, program stability and calculation speed. Following an extensive evaluation process the Dutch version Safeti-NL of Safeti from DNV Software was selected. A consequence study on the effects of using Safeti-NL for Dutch QRA studies is currently ongoing and this may result in the prescription of Safeti-NL by the Dutch Government.

The first Safeti-NL training held at RIVM included participants from major Dutch consultancy companies. Trainers were Henk Witlox and Paul Uijt Den Haag.

Safeti-NL was released to the Dutch government in February, simultaneously with the release of version 6.5 of the more extensive full Safeti program. Safeti calculates the individual risk (risk at specific location) and societal risk (risk to overall population) of accidental releases of toxic or flammable chemicals to the atmosphere. This calculation includes consequence modelling (discharge and atmospheric dispersion, toxic effects, flammable effects) and subsequent risk modelling.

Compared with the previous version of Safeti, considerable improvements have been applied to the underlying consequence and risk modelling as well as the graphical user interface. A significant number of modifications and restrictions have been applied to the Dutch version Safeti-NL in order to fully comply with the New Dutch Purple Book including risk methodology as prescribed by the BEVI law and other requirements from RIVM and VROM.

Safeti-NL must be used exclusively for risk calculations for Dutch installations, as required by the Dutch government in connection with the new BEVI law. It cannot be used for QRA calculations not required by the Dutch government or not relating to Dutch installations; for example, analysis of transport risk is excluded. For these other types of analyses the full Safeti package may be applied.

The five-year contract lasts until early 2011 and involves licensing Safeti-NL to the Dutch users including associated training and maintenance of the program. RIVM coordinates the distribution of Safeti-NL in the Netherlands and provides first-line support, while DNV Software provides second-line support. Annual Safeti-NL user meetings will be organised.

More information at: RIVM