scope:

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General applicability

This document specifies general principles and processes for the management of alarm systems based on controls system and human-machine interfaces (HMI) for facilities in the process industries. It covers all alarms to be presented to the operator through the control system, which includes alarms from basic process control systems, annunciators, packaged systems, and safety instrumented systems.

The practices in this document are applicable to continuous, batch, and discrete processes. There can be differences in implementation to meet the specific needs based on process type.

The primary function within the alarm system is to notify operators of abnormal process conditions or equipment malfunctions and support the response. The alarm systems can include both the basic process control system (BPCS) and the safety instrumented system (SIS), each of which uses measurements of process conditions and logic to generate alarms. Figure 1 illustrates the concepts of alarm and response dataflow through the alarm system. The alarm system also includes a mechanism for communicating the alarm information to the operator via an HMI, usually a computer screen or an annunciator. Additional functions of the alarm system are an alarm and event log, an alarm historian, and the generation of performance metrics for the alarm system. There are external systems that can use the data from the alarm system.

Exclusions and inclusions

Operators

The functions of the operator receiving and responding to alarms are included in the scope of this document. Management of operators is excluded from the scope of this document.

Process sensors and final control elements

The alarms implemented in sensors and final control elements are included in the scope of this document. The design and management of process sensors and final control elements are excluded from the scope of this document.

Annunciators

The integration of annunciators into an alarm system is included in the scope of this document. The specification and design of annunciators is excluded from the scope of this document.

Human machine interface

The appearance of alarms in the HMI and functions of alarm related displays are included in the scope of this document. The design and maintenance of the HMI are excluded from this document.

NOTE ANSI/ISA-101.01-2015 provides information on HMI design and maintenance.

Safety instrumented systems

The alarms implemented in a safety instrumented system are included in the scope of this document. The design and management of safety instrumented systems are excluded from this document.

NOTE IEC 61511-1 provides information on safety instrumented systems.

Fire and gas detection and protective systems

The alarms from fire and gas detection and protective systems presented to the operator through the control system are included in the scope of this document. The design and management of fire and gas detection and protective systems is excluded from the scope of this document.

Security systems

The alarms from security systems presented to the operator through the control system are included in the scope of this document. The design and management of security systems is excluded from the scope of this document.

Packaged systems

The alarms from packaged systems presented to the operator through the control system are included in the scope of this document. The design and management of packaged systems is excluded from the scope of this document.

Event data

The indication and processing of analog, discrete, and event data other than alarm indications are excluded from the scope of this document. The analysis techniques using both alarm and event data are excluded from the scope of this document.

Alarm identification methods

Required methods of alarm identification are not specified in this document. Examples of alarm identification methods are listed.

Management of change

A specific management of change (MOC) procedure is not included in this document. Some requirements and recommendations for an MOC procedure are included.

Purchase specification

This document is not intended to be used as an alarm system purchase specification.