An alarm is classified as an event to which an operator must react, respond and acknowledge (not simply acknowledge and ignore) and no plant should have more than six such alarm occurrences an hour. [EEMUA 191 guidelines]
If you have more than that you have got it wrong!
Alarm objective
The objective of an alarm system is to minimise or prevent physical and economic loss through operator intervention.
Note safety takes precedence over economics.
Abstract
The aim of an alarm system is to prevent, or at the very least minimise, physical and economic loss to plant or people through operator intervention in response to a plant condition that has occurred thus making the necessary corrective action optimising production.
Alarm management has new meaning in major process plant disasters of recent years, such as Buntsfield, Chernobyl, BP Texas City, Bhopal and 3 Mile Island to name but a few.
Collaborative work by large process companies, vendors and industry organisations like the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers and Users Association (EEMUA) and the Instrumentation Society of America (ISA); accepting the need for an alarm management strategy; and applying new technology and standards to the process, companies can achieve multiple benefits. These include better productivity, quality improvement, a more motivated and responsible staff, improved profitability and efficiency while minimising the potential liability of management.
Upgrading alarm systems for critical industries Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Omniflex’s OMNI16R alarm annunciator platform provides a direct replacement for legacy CSA systems such as MPAS 90 and SA9100, enabling operators in oil and gas, nuclear and power generation to modernise alarm infrastructure without sacrificing the clarity required for safe operations.
Read more...Rethinking corrosion protection in process plants Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Remote monitoring is changing how cathodic and anodic protection systems are managed in process plants, giving operators continuous visibility of corrosion protection performance and enabling more proactive maintenance decisions.
Read more...Rethinking corrosion protection in process plants Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex explains how integrating remote monitoring and cloud-based platforms into cathodic and anodic protection systems is helping process plant operators stay ahead of corrosion and make smarter maintenance decisions.
Read more...Preserving a French heritage landmark Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex supplied a remotely monitored impressed current cathodic protection system for the Perret Tower in Grenoble, a protected French heritage site, combining 24/7 corrosion protection with integrated surge protection against lightning strikes.
Read more...Lessons in long-distance telemetry Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Key engineering lessons from decades of deploying wireless telemetry systems in demanding industrial applications, covering network management, power constraints, physical challenges and the value of open, simplified architectures.
Read more...Long-distance signal delivery is critical to rail safety Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A remote monitoring specialist explains why fibre optic technology is increasingly replacing copper cabling in safety-critical railway signalling systems.
Read more...Omniflex upgrades faulty alarms at cereal manufacturing facility Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Legacy alarm specialist, Omniflex has delivered a direct retrofit solution for ageing MPAS 90 alarm systems at Kellanova’s Wrexham facility, replacing obsolete units with its SIL-1 rated Omni16R rack-based alarm logic, and Omni-X LED Displays.
Read more...No power, no coverage, no problem Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Remote monitoring expert, Omniflex has delivered a remote monitoring and control solution for an impressed current cathodic protection control system, aiding local authorities in Queensland, Australia in the essential maintenance of roadside culverts.
Read more...Smart ICCP monitoring for safer tank storage Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Cathodic protection is critical for combatting corrosion in oil and gas infrastructure. Omniflex explores how to manage CP systems in hazardous and hard-to-reach areas.
Read more...Monitoring relays keep operations running Omron Electronics
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
OMRON’s K8 series relays are designed to prevent breakdowns, protect critical assets and support smarter maintenance strategies on the plant.
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