Alarm Philosophy Development for PHMSA Compliance
Lunch and Learn
Now that PHMSA has published the final rule: Pipeline Safety: Control Room Management/Human Factors, each operator using a SCADA system must have a written alarm management plan. TiPS is hosting two informative lunch and learn sessions to discuss details on Alarm Management Plan Development, as well as an overview of software and services as they relate to PHMSA provisions.
Skirvin Hotel
Oklahoma City, OK
August 25, 2010
11am-1pm
The Mayo Hotel
Tulsa, OK
August 26, 2010
11am-1pm
If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please contact us at: sales@tipsweb.com.
Alarm Management Compliance: Written Plan
Now that the final rule is effective, pipeline operators must start
developing alarm management plans. According to section: CFR Part
192/192.631 (e):
(e) Each operator using a SCADA system must have a written alarm
management plan to provide for effective controller response to
alarms. An operator’s plan must include provisions to:
(1) Review SCADA safety-related alarm operations using a process
that ensures alarms are accurate and support safe pipeline operations;
(2) Identify at least once each calendar month points affecting safety
that have been taken off scan in the SCADA host, have had alarms
inhibited, generated false alarms, or that have had forced or manual
values for periods of time exceeding that required for associated
maintenance or operating activities;
(3) Verify the correct safety-related alarm set-point values and alarm
descriptions at least once each calendar year, but at intervals not to
exceed 15 months;
(4) Review the alarm management plan required by this paragraph
at least once each calendar year, but at intervals not exceeding 15
months, to determine the effectiveness of the plan;
(5) Monitor the content and volume of general activity being directed
to and required of each controller at least once each calendar year,
but at intervals not to exceed 15 months, that will assure controllers
have suffi cient time to analyze and react to incoming alarms; and
(6) Address defi ciencies identifi ed through the implementation.
According to Best Practice Guides, including the AGA’s Alarm
Management for Control Room Operations in the Natural Gas
Industry and the soon to be released API Recommended Practice
1167 Pipeline Alarm Management, an alarm philosophy is a very
important step in building and maintaining an optimum alarm system
and a foundation for a comprehensive plan.
