Automation

Alarm System Improvement.

On every production platform, plant, or facility, we want to avoid incidents, accidents, and interruptions. However, should anything occur, we want the least amount of time to pass before we resume production.

 

How to reach your goals for optimal production with alarm system improvement:

Init has studied incidents and major accidents on offshore and onshore production facilities in great detail. We have a thorough understanding of the costs associated with poor alarm management, namely:

  • Major accidents and losses
  • Operator burnout
  • Loss of production, typically around 3-5%

 

In short: Alarm systems need to be specified and maintained to ensure safe operation.

Alarm Management, alarms system imporvement, alarm rationalisation

What is an Alarm System Improvement project?

What to look for

Some common symptoms of an alarm system that needs to be improved are:

  • Minor process disturbances that produce a large amount of alarms
  • Routine operations that produce a large number of alarms with no action required
  • Alarm texts that are not understandable and offers little-to-no help
  • A large number of high priority alarms occur
  • Major process disturbances that produce alarm flooding

How do we approach the project?

Obviously, Alarm System Improvement projects can be time consuming and complicated, and require great attention to detail, while keeping up with the overall scope and progress of the project. Eldor has developed a documented practical alarm system improvement process, to keep track of everything for the project.

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  • Study and report of current alarm systems performance
  • Establish performance targets based on best practices
  • Establish philosophies and specifications

Applicable standards & software.

Init has been running alarm improvement projects for over a decade and have managed hundreds of workshops. We have experienced that good alarm management can be of vital importance to constantly improve alarm system performance. Our processes are in line with the most relevant standards such as EEMUA 191, ISA 18.2, IEC 62682 and YA711.

 

You can download our whitepaper on alarm performance standards here.

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Project cost.

The time-consumption for each configured alarm is in most cases between 10 to 15 minutes per alarm in a typical alarm system with 10.000 alarms. From this, if we can assume that if you have an alarm system with 10.000 alarms, you will need to budget between 1.700 to 2.500 hours for the full Alarm rationalization project.

Due to these projects highly customized nature, every project should be estimated based on an initial study.

The most important cost variables for Alarm System Improvement projects are:

  • Client effort (vs. external resources)
  • Complexity/size of the plant

In general, an initial study will require a site visit with access to interviewing operators, to issue a study report. Indicative cost for an initial study may typically start from NOK 25.000.

Alarm project cost, alarm management, alarm systems integration
How can you get started?
  • Step one is a system study, as the project scope and targets should be based on the initial condition
  • It is not feasible to run an Alarm System Improvement project without dedicated commitment from the plant or site operator
  • Additional involvement from the client side is optional, based on availability of personnel and schedules

Unfortunately, some alarm improvement projects fail. To take part in our experience, we recommend discussing the common pitfalls and success factors with us.

 

Contact us for more information.