The introduction of the DCS has made it possible to create alarms more easily and at a lower cost. Although software alarms are convenient, the ease with which they can be created removed the incentive to limit alarms. As a result, operators today are faced with more alarms than they can effectively monitor. Alarm Management seeks to identify unnecessary alarms, alarms set at the wrong value, and where improvements can be made to the current procedures for dealing with alarms.
Matrikon provides Alarm Management Assessments, Continuous Improvement Programs and full Alarm Management Programs.
What is Alarm Management, and why do I need it?
Alarm Management comprises a collection of techniques, tools, standards, and procedures that improve the operations of process plants by improving the effectiveness of alarm systems.
Nuisance alarms
When alarms are functioning well, they perform three important tasks:
- Alerting the operator that a change has occurred.
- Informing the operator of the nature of the change.
- Guiding the operator to take the correct action.
Without a disciplined Alarm Management program, the process alarms in a plant become less and less functional over time. The number of nuisance alarms increases to a point where the alarms distract the operator from the plant, rather than doing what they are designed to.