Alarm Management: Critical for Safety and Efficiency
In the era of pneumatic controls, alarms were few and costly. Today, alarms are essentially ‘free’ with an unintended consequence of overuse. This can hinder an operator’s ability to respond to abnormal conditions effectively. Operators often mute speakers to deal with constant interruptions, important alerts go unnoticed, and potential disasters become a looming threat.
With technology advancing and systems growing increasingly complex, effective alarm management is imperative for safety, efficiency, and maintaining order in the digital world.
Alarm Philosophy serves as the cornerstone of the ISA 18.2 Standard. It calls for the creation and upkeep of a guiding document that meticulously outlines the purpose, objectives, roles, responsibilities, and overall strategy concerning alarms. This document acts as the North Star, providing clarity and direction. The Alarm Philosophy establishes a system for prioritizing alarms and includes guidelines for commissioning alarms to ensure seamless integration into the existing system. It also covers training requirements for personnel handling alarms, ensuring proficiency and safety.