SAPHIRE

1987 Version 1 of the code called IRRAS (now known as SAPHIRE) introduced an innovative way to draw, edit, and analyze graphical fault trees.

Enhancements are made to the event tree "linking rules" and to the use of dual language capability inside the SAPHIRE database.

The evolution of software and related analysis methods has led to the current generation of the SAPHIRE tool.

The current SAPHIRE software code-base started in the mid-1980s as part of the NRC's general risk activities.

IRRAS was the first IBM compatible PC-based risk analysis tool developed at the Idaho National Laboratory, thereby allowing users to work in a graphical interface rather than with mainframe punch cards.

While limited to the analysis of only fault trees of medium size, version 1 of IRRAS was the initial step in the progress that today has led to the SAPHIRE software, software that is capable of running on multiple processors simultaneously and is able to handle extremely large analyses.

Historically, NASA relied on worst-case Failure mode and effects analysis for safety assessment.