ALARM PHILOSOPHY
BASED ON STANDARDS
Our alarm philosophy is prepared as a guide to the development, implementation and modification of the control systems alarms. Basically it is a prescription for implementing and handling alarms in the correct way. It is designed to optimize the definition and selection of alarms, their priority and their configuration. Such optimization will minimize the total number of alarms, alarm duplication, noise and confusion. This promotes the safety of the control system and its use in preventing unwanted situations from arising and, in minimizing the effects of unwanted situations once they have arisen.
The alarm management system is based on the requirements and recommendations detailed in the following standards and documents:
- ANSI/ISA-18.2 Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries (2009)
- PAS, The Alarm Management Handbook (2nd Edition, 2010)
- EEUMA 191, Alarm Systems. 2nd Edition, 2007
- YA-710 / 711, Norwegian Oljedirektoratet, Principles for Alarm System Design (2001)
- I-002 Norsok Standard, Safety and Automation System – SAS, (2001)
- I-005 Norsok Standard, System Control Diagram (2005)
A major purpose of the philosophy document is to act as a guide to people in project roles who are unfamiliar with alarm management and its proper implementation. It should not be too detailed or specific but neither should it be too condensed. It should be a practical document.