The Scope of Alarm Management
Chris Wilson - Marketing Manager, TiPS Incorporated
Many alarm management efforts focus only on alarm settings. In fact,
poor alarm system performance is not always caused by poor alarm
system design. Alarms can be influenced by maintenance, engineering,
operations - even the organization's business model or corporate
policy. Understanding the scope of alarm problems will make you
realize that the benefits of alarm management go far beyond the
alarm system.
The motivation for alarm system change begins in the control room.
Alarms are a major part of the information provided to operators
about plant condition. If the operator's environment is crippled
by useless or distracting alarms, they will not be capable of meeting
performance objectives.
When operators begin to complain about or suggest improvement of
the alarm system, the redesign effort should consider all possible
influences on the alarm system, as well as the alarm system itself.
This broadens the scope of alarm management to include much more
than just the alarm system.
There are four major categories that influence alarm system design:
- Operations
- Control Assets and Design
- Corporate Objectives
- Environment
Operations
Weaknesses in an operator's ability to understand plant condition
or anticipate a disturbance based on trends will often prompt a
request for a change in the alarm system.
Control Assets and Design
Instruments and equipment in need of maintenance or out of service
can cause a good alarm system to perform poorly.
Corporate Objectives
Business managers often view alarms as a simple, low or zero cost
way to raise the visibility of issues that are important from a
corporate standpoint. Following a high-profile incident or near
miss, alarms may be added as a safeguard against repeat occurrences.
Environment
Changes in the plant environment can create changes in the operating
environment, including alarm activity. Something as simple as a
change in ambient temperature or feedstock can wreak havok on an
alarm system unequipped to handle those environmental variances.
The quality of control room information directly affects an operator's
ability to maintain stable operations and achieve performance objectives.
Alarms are a critical part of that information. Getting started
in alarm management requires little more than a basic understanding
of the concept and a refusal to accept status quo.
Depending on
your particular sphere of influence and the visibility of the problem,
you may be able to begin the process of improving alarms on your
own. Almost all alarm management efforts begin by assesing alarm data to establish a
familiarity with the scope of the current situation. Training by a subject matter expert may also be helpful
for properly laying the groundwork necessary to a
successful alarm management process.
Products
