BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE PAMPHLET 91-215 SECRETARY ...

A2.B.5. THE INTERFACE ANALYSIS
A2.B.5.1. FORMAL NAME. The interface analysis
A2.B.5.2. ALTERNATIVE NAMES. None
A2.B.5.3. PURPOSE. The interface analysis is intended to uncover the potentially hazardous linkages or
interfaces between otherwise unrelated activities. For example, we plan to build a new facility at a base.
What hazards may be created for other operations on the base during construction and after the facility is
opened? The interface analysis is designed to reveal these potential hazards by focusing on energy
exchanges. A hazard necessarily involves the transfer of energy from one point to another. By looking at
these potential energy transfers between two different activities we can often detect important hazards that
are difficult to detect in any other way.
A2.B.5.4. APPLICATION. Generally speaking an interface analysis should be conducted any time a new
activity is being introduced and there is any chance at all that unfavorable interaction could occur. A good
cue to the need for an interface analysis is the use of either the change analysis (indicating the injection of
something new) or the map analysis (with the possibility of interactions).
A2.B.5.5. METHOD. The interface analysis is normally based on an outline such as the one illustrated at
Figure A2.24. Interfaces take the form of energy exchanges, so the outline provides a list of potential
energy types and guides consideration of the potential interactions. A determination is made whether a
particular type of energy is present and then whether there is potential for that form of energy to adversely
impact on other activities. As in virtually all aspects of hazard ID, the creation of a good operations
analysis assures that interactions in all phases of the lifecycle are considered.
Figure A2.24. The Interface Analysis Worksheet.
Energy Element
Kinetic (objects in motion)
Electromagnetic (microwave, radio, laser)
Radiation (radioactive, x-ray)
Chemical
Other
Personnel Element: Personnel moving from one area to another
Equipment Element: Machines and material moving from one area to another
Supply/materiel Element:
Intentional movement from one area to another
Accidental movement from one area to another
Product Element: Movement of product from one area to another
Information Element: Flow of information from one area to another or interference (i.e. jamming)
Bio-material Element
Infectious materials (virus, bacteria, etc.)
Wildlife
Odors
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