Alarm Management
Services Overview
| Task | Description | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | Periodic review of alarm management procedures (e.g. MOC) to verify integrity of Alarm System | Compare Control system configuration (actual) vs. SILAlarm MADB (expected) – identifies unauthorized changes to alarm system configuration so that they can be reset (enforcement) Audit of Process / Procedural Documentation and Comparison to Alarm Philosophy - to verify that the documented practices and procedures are being followed |
| Alarm System Performance Monitoring & Assessment (Ongoing) | Measure alarm system performance on a regular basis (e.g., monthly), compare against KPIs, and Identify problem alarms to be addressed (via rationalization) | Measure and Analyze Alarm System Performance Create and review reports (annunciated alarm rate, alarm flood analysis, alarms out-of-service, annunciated alarm priority distribution, stale / standing alarms, frequently occurring alarms / bad actors, chattering alarm list, redundant alarms, etc.) |
| Implementation | Configuration of Alarm Rationalization results (alarm settings and design) in the control system. Creation of alarm response procedures from results of rationalization. | Update / Modify Control System Alarm System Configuration
|
| Advanced Alarm System Design | Configure alarm system to modify alarm behavior dynamically based on the state of the process or equipment | Define advanced alarming / alarm suppression schemes in SILAlarm for implementation in the control system. These include (state-based suppression, alarm flood suppression, dynamic alarming, conditional alarming) |
| Alarm Rationalization | Process for verifying alarms are necessary and meaningful, establishing their design (priority, limit, deadband) and documenting their basis (cause, consequence, corrective action) in a Master Alarm Database (MADB) | SILAlarm rationalization tool SILAlarm Product Training (2 days, hands on) Rationalization Ready Service – prepare customer’s master alarm database so that it is ready for rationalization Rationalization Facilitation Workshop - kicko / lead the alarm rationalization process, document the results in SILAlarm, and train client personnel to be able to lead the process Lead Alarm Rationalization ongoing or until completion |
| Alarm Philosophy Development | Documents the objectives, guidelines and work processes for alarm management at a site. Includes definition of what should be alarmed, how to prioritize alarms, use of shelving, personnel roles & responsibilities, alarm system KPIs, etc.. (Prerequisite for Alarm Rationalization) | Alarm Philosophy Development (APD)
Alarm Philosophy Gap Analysis – Review existing document against ISA-18.2’s requirements, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for closure. |
| Alarm System Performance Benchmarking (Initial) | Establish initial baseline for ongoing comparison as part of a comprehensive alarm management program. Identify the most pressing alarm management problems and the biggest opportunities for improvement. | Alarm System Performance Benchmark (tailored to customer’s budget)
|