Implementing alarm management per the ANSI/ISA-18.2 standard


Task 1: Optimizing system design

Figure 3: This alarm summary window is an effective tool for displaying alarms to operators in a manner allowing quick and comprehensive response. Courtesy: YokogawaThis task encompasses lifecycle model stages A through E: philosophy, identification, rationalization, detailed design, and implementation. When properly executed, this task supports the design of an alarm system that prevents alarm flooding and other undesirable alarm system occurrences. It also provides operators with the information they need to take proper action when alarms occur.

An important activity within this task is to specify the causes of current nuisance alarms and to eliminate these alarms, or at least greatly reduce their frequency. This is an essential step toward reducing alarm flooding. In many cases, alarms can be reclassified as events to be recorded by the automation system for later review, instead of as items requiring immediate operator attention.

Once the total number of alarms has been reduced as much as possible, the next step is to prioritize the remaining alarms. Prioritization can be quite complex, as it requires plant personnel to identify possible abnormal operating conditions, list the alarms that might occur for each condition, and then prioritize these alarms. After alarms are reduced and prioritized, then recommended operator actions for each alarm can be created.

Performing these and other steps as listed in the lifecycle model stages A through E will result in the creation of an effective alarm system.

Task 2: Advanced support to operators

This task encompasses lifecycle model stages F and G: operation and maintenance. An effective tool in implementing this task is the creation of alarm summary windows in the automation system (see Figure 3). Modern automation systems will include the functionality required to create these windows in the process and its alarms.

Figure 4: This advanced alarm summary window uses a flow chart to display what sequence of actions should be performed by the operator in response to a particular alarm. Courtesy: YokogawaAn alarm summary window typically displays the list of currently active alarms. With most automation systems, the alarm summary window will provide sort, filter, shelving, and other functions to help improve display of information to the operators. These functions can be used to prevent higher priority alarms from being overlooked by operators.

Each alarm will require some type of response from the operator. Advanced alarm summary windows display what sequence of actions should be performed by the operator in response to particular alarms (see Figure 4). An effective method for displaying these actions is a flow chart, which can be used to guide the operator through the response sequence.

A flow chart can be a very effective tool because it can contain if/then instructions, guiding operators to take different actions depending on how the process responds to operator actions and other conditions.

Task 3: Performance evaluation

This task is analogous to lifecycle model stage H, monitoring and assessment. The purpose of this task is to evaluate the performance of the existing alarm system. In ISA18.2, key performance indicators (KPIs) are suggested as a useful tool to perform the activities in this stage.

An example KPI would be the number of alarms within a fixed time of the operation. As shown in Figure 5, ISA 18.2 lists the very likely to be acceptable and maximum manageable number of alarms for various time periods.

Figure 5: This chart lists recommended alarm frequencies for an alarm system in accordance with ISA 18.2. Courtesy: Yokogawa

The alarm system will provide a host of data that can be used to evaluate performance including, but not limited to, alarm frequency, operator response time, and specific operation actions. This data can be used to improve the alarm system, and to provide more effective operator training.

It is often useful to evaluate alarm system data from several viewpoints. For instance, the number of alarms in each area and the number of hourly alarms are both important data points, and can be evaluated separately or together. By using these kinds of data, the conditions in which operator errors frequently occur can be specified, and these results can be used to improve operator response.

Modern automation systems provide tools for creating reports, and these reports can be particularly useful for evaluating alarm system performance (see Figure 6). Modern automation systems can be configured to collect a host of data concerning alarm system performance. This data can be presented to plant personnel in a variety of formats from simple KPIs to charts and graphs. Using this information, alarm system performance can be evaluated and improved.

Task 4: Continuous improvement

This task encompasses lifecycle model stages I and J, management of change and audit. Continuous alarm system improvement is supported by performing uniform management of the enormous amount of alarm-related data typically contained in an alarm master database. 

Figure 6: These types of reports can be very effective tools for evaluating alarm system performance. Courtesy: Yokogawa

For example, alarm system design parameters can be compared with actual alarm system performance figures stored in the database. When significant discrepancies exist between design parameters and actual data, then corrective action can be recommended. Recommended corrective actions can then be reviewed and implemented as required using a comprehensive change management procedure.

Alarm management entry points

For most alarm systems, there are three typical entry or starting points for creating an alarm management system. Referring to the ISA 18.2 lifecycle model, these points are: a) philosophy, h) monitoring and assessment, or j) audit. 

For new process plants, philosophy is the preferred point of entry. For existing plants, either monitoring and assessment or audit is preferred. For the four tasks listed above, task 1 is the preferred point of entry for new process plants, and task 4 is the preferred point of entry for existing plants.

For existing plants, the performance of the existing alarm system is evaluated using recent plant operating data. Actions are then taken based on the evaluation. This course of action allows effective existing practices and procedures to remain in place, while pinpointing areas that require improvement.

For new plants, it is recommended that the lifecycle model be followed in its entirety, starting with task 1. This will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to implement an effective alarm management system.

Proper alarm management is indispensable for achieving safe and secure process plant operation. The approach to alarm management standardized by ISA18.2 was introduced and explained in this article, and then summarized into four general tasks. Following this approach will result in an optimal alarm management system that prevents minor alarms and upsets from escalating into serious incidents.

Marcus Tennant is principal systems architect for Yokogawa.

Key concepts:

  • A plant with poorly designed alarms can create confused operator responses resulting in many types of hazardous situations. 
  • Available standards offer a systematic approach to analysis and design of alarm management programs.
  • With proper design, an alarm system can deliver useful plant performance data and guide improvements. 


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