Top 5 Focus Area on Alarm Management as The Fundamental Aspect of Industrial Operations

In modern industrial operating systems, early warning system is the most basic alarm. But unfortunately this is only limited to the use of alarm standard operating procedure without going through an extensive analysis on their alarm systems to identify strengths and weaknesses, forget the time and resource investment. So the result is expected of alarm systems is not maximized in improving performance. In the future these alarm systems must consider several items the following benefits:

1. Alarm Definition and Design

The alarm is designed to be easily understood and can give clear instructions to the operator so that it can be done immediately rescue action. If not then your alarm system in abnormal conditions and can make misunderstanding. For operators on duty, and the technical conduct alarm system design training necessary to an understanding of the criteria for alarm, alarm setpoints, alarms different countries and deadbands alarm so that the alarm function can be a first-level security layer.

2. Alarm Priority

The alarm system must be set according to the needs and optimized in such a way that the number of high-priority alarm is significantly less than the low priority alarm. This avoids the operator resistant or insensitive to the warning alarm that too often in a setting in position a high priority.
Setting priorities right alarm can increase the ability of the operator to take appropriate action at the appropriate time. Alarm a good design capable of producing better control over operations, and improve plant performance.

3. Alarm Messages

A message that is consistent, sharp, clear and concise is needed to facilitate the understanding of operators in the field. More easily understood in the alarm message will be more easily and quickly executed by the operator. For security reasons and to avoid misunderstanding, the alarm message content must be uniform in structure, based on the terms and abbreviations used by operators in the control room. Design alarm mesage need to pay attention to the above features.

4. Alarm Metrics

Some key performance indicators need to be included in the alarm system such as total alarm, alarm levels, alarm levels peak, alarm severity distribution and Pareto charts will facilitate the identification of the message conveyed. Alarm statistical data is very important to convey to the operators in the field because it allows greater visibility to the level of alarm.
To facilitate reading the alarm message, so this time there are a lot of alarm analysis software that can help you one of them is Wonderware AlarmAdviser.

5. Accountability

Alarm system design must also take into consideration who will be responsible for taking action when the alarm goes off or on. The responsibilities of primary and secondary task should be in the clear authority. If possible an SMS alert can be connected to smart phones officers who are responsible.

Conclusion

The design process control SCADA system alarm need the joint responsibility of the operation, controls, instrumentation or engineering, and all departments. The division of tasks and responsibilities should also be stated clearly in the early warning system to avoid any perception of the officer in charge in the field.

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