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Alarms: prevention is better than cure
If a process variable goes outside of its normal operating limits, it should be alarmed so an operator can deal with it! Right?
Well, perhaps not in all cases. If alarm management isn't carefully implemented, plant upset conditions can trigger an alarm cascade resulting in operator overload and possible safety issues. In the article "Alarms:prevention is better than cure" in The Chemical Engineer (tce) David Hatch discusses optimal alarm design based on the new Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA) standard 191 alarm system guidelines. He recommends a structured approach to alarm design with an aim of minimizing operator alarm load while maintaining personnel safety and process security. (241KB PDF)
