In modern processing plants, the issue of functional safety is steadily gaining importance. Alarm annunciators are an integral part of safety planning, especially in processing plants where alarm conditions can be numerous. The introduction of the IEC61508 standard introduced a broad but systemic framework to allow plant engineers to apply functional safety concepts on all modern control equipment. An alarm, or combination of several alarm conditions, requires the reaction of an operator to either investigate the cause of alarms or take the steps required by safety procedures to eliminate the condition.
Alarm annunciators today are seldom included as an integral part of true safety-related shutdown systems, as reliability of the human operator is generally considered insufficient to meet the high reliability requirements. However, with a high level of training and clear procedures in place, it can be accepted that the operator in conjunction with an alarm annunciator will meet (at best) the SIL1 safety loop requirements.
The Omniflex alternative
There is a different use for alarm annunciators in safety-related applications when one considers a purpose-made alarm device such as the two-channel Omni2 annunciator from Omniflex. This type of device is designed for performing a dedicated safety function automatically without operator intervention. There is no requirement for a human operator to undertake any action while the hazardous condition is present. When applied as, for example, a door warning sign in radiological surveillance systems, the device is used to prevent personnel from entering the hazardous area. In this case the main purpose is to provide a highly reliable safety warning.
Because of the obvious safety risk to personnel, it is logical to choose the higher SIL2 level, even if the device is not technically part of an electronic PES (programmable electronic system). There is also the additional benefit of providing automatic output for actuators for locking doors, for example, which then also complies with SIL2 parameters. Such a specialised annunciator function can logically be targeted at SIL2 levels of reliability as it is an entirely electronic system and does not rely on the actions of the human operator.
There is no doubt that with the growing emphasis of functional safety and risk reduction, the alarm annunciator is an important tool in achieving safety objectives. Omniflex is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art products in this field and to promote an understanding of functional-safety issues.
Unlocking ICCP remote monitoring Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Cathodic protection keeps buried and submerged pipelines safe from corrosion, but verifying it traditionally means costly, hazardous manual site visits. Omniflex explains how a retrofit module brings remote monitoring to ageing transformer rectifiers without replacing functional infrastructure.
Read more...Mine-wide water monitoring at Nkomati Nickel plant Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Omniflex is supplying a new wireless telemetry system for Nkomati Nickel plant, restoring mine-wide monitoring of water and pumping systems across six outstations as the operation prepares to resume following a R753 million restart investment.
Read more...Outdoor cellular routers for potentially explosive areas Phoenix Contact
IS & Ex
Phoenix Contact has extended its Cellulink outdoor cellular router range with new versions approved for Zone 2 potentially explosive areas, featuring end-to-end IECEx and ATEX certification of the complete router, antenna path and antenna system.
Read more...Omniflex delivers ICCP systems in London Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection systems for landmark London buildings, protecting reinforced concrete from corrosion and extending the service life of commercial, retail and heritage sites.
Read more...Modernising acid cooler protection without disrupting production Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex has supplied an advanced anodic protection control system to phosphate producer Foskor, replacing a legacy transformer rectifier system while maintaining uninterrupted production. The distributed PowerView CP solution provides remote monitoring and DCS integration.
Read more...Nine things your emergency control room must now have Oculus Operational Innovations
Editor's Choice IS & Ex
A new South African regulation, effective since March 2025 with no transition period, sets out nine mandatory requirements for underground mine emergency control rooms, and specifies who must be in charge at all times.
Read more...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.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version