TiPS Incorporated - LogMate® - Alarm Management Software;

Alarm KB

The Alarm KB is a central database of alarm configurations, limits, priorities, change management and audit features.

Alarm KB Key Features

Provides a process knowledge database pertaining to alarm configuration settings, alarm removal/addition rationale
Calculates alarm limits (set points) for process variables using a patent pending processing algorithm
Calculates recommended alarm priorities based on severity matrix
Analyzes the priority distribution of configured alarms, for comparison to design targets or benchmarks
Enforces design stability and best practices by comparing active settings to the master control system configuration
Improves the efficiency and speed of alarm design with integrated copy and paste functionality
Automated import of alarm configuration data to master alarm database
Links configuration data to operator documentation for immediate electronic recall, assisting in upset resolution

How Does the Alarm KB Work?

The basic settings in the Alarm KB can be automatically imported or manually added. The Alarm KB contains a list of “Tags” or “Points”, and each “Tag” is associated with a list of alarms. The fields are customizable to provide the exact information operators need to see. Each alarm entry is associated with a number of attributes, including:

Type of Alarm
Alarm Limit (Set Point)
Alarm Priority
Level of Impact
Cause Consequence and Corrective Action
Control Room Response Time

These attributes can be customized to adapt to individual methodology and requirements.

Functions as a Rationalization Tool

The Alarm KB includes a number of features that align with widely-accepted alarm rationalization best practices including:

Assess current alarm performance
Develop and document alarm philosophy
Review and calculate alarm limits (set points)
Determine and set alarm priorities

Two of the newest Alarm KB utilities make rationalization easier than traditional methods. These utilities are built into the latest version of LogMate TiPSView™ Version 3.52. Click here to apply for the latest update to take advantage of these calculation utilities:

Calculate Alarm Limits (Set Points)

The new alarm limit calculation utility provides a rational approach to calculate the appropriate alarm limits to allow sufficient time to respond to a process upset. Based on research and methodology from Dr. Doug Rothenberg, the utility calculates alarm limits based on:

Rate Of Change (ROC) of the instrument's process variable
Time To Manage (TTM) the alarm including a defined safety margin
Process variable "Trouble" threshold values based on rationalization

Calculate Alarm Priorities

The alarm prioritization tool calculates recommended alarm priorities based on a severity matrix of safety, financial and environmental impacts. The easy to use utility is completely customizable based on user requirements and input variables.

Flexible Design

The LogMate Alarm KB contains a "snapshot" of control system settings which can be enhanced with additional information such as possible causes for an alarm and recommended corrective actions. The design of the Alarm KB is completely flexible, producing a comprehensive electronic resource for operations documentation.

Real-Time Advisory Tool Makes Rationalization Easy

The Alarm KB allows operators to rationalize their alarms and modify their real-time summary screen with corrective action instructions or other important alarm information. LogMate’s real-time netView screen provides the exact instructions operators need to see for their process. When alarms happen, operators can see exactly what caused it, what corrective action they need to take, how much time they have for action, and the consequence if no action is taken. The Alarm KB enables operators to have related safety information available in real-time, like safety procedures or diagrams available from a alarm screen.

With the Alarm KB (rationalization tool) operators can turn vague alarm events into “guidance information”. When an alarm activates in real-time, operators can see “cause”, “corrective action” or other important information.

To learn more about Alarm Rationalization using the Alarm KB, complete the following form:

Design, manage, and monitor your master alarm configuration
Automatically indentify configuration changes in a DCS
Document and rationalize alarm settings
Create an online operating procedure and document center

As a container for a "master" alarm configuration, the Alarm KB is equipped with automated rationalization tools such as a prioritization calculator and an integrated Management of Change workflow.

Operators can rely on the Alarm KB for immediate access to procedural advice. Engineers can utilize the Alarm KB to ensure consistent alarm design and change management.

The Alarm KB can be accessed through a browser, or linked into the main operator HMI.

Read more about the LogMate Alarm KB alarm design and rationalization tools

Read more about the LogMate Alarm KB Management of Change workflow

Read more about using the LogMate Alarm KB as an operator procedure library

PRODUCTS

LogMate® Alarm Management Software