Management of process alarms

The safe and effective operation of process plant and power stations relies on automation: that is, the instrumentation and control systems, operator consoles and the human operators who oversee all phases of operation from start-up to shut-down.  At any time, warnings may sound, or show on display screens, status indicators may light up, or alarms can trip.  Effective management of alarms is critical to plant safety, as a number of high-profile incidents in recent decades has shown.

Achievements to date

For nearly 15 years, EEMUA has actively discussed alarm philosophies and management practices within its Technical Committees, and worked with the British Health & Safety Executive to improve understanding in this area.

EEMUA’s guide to the design, management and procurement of alarm systems - EEMUA Publication 191 - first published in 1999 and revised in 2007, has become recognised and followed the world over as a reference publication in this area.

Human-computer interfaces have also been the subject of discussion within EEMUA and with the HSE, and resulted in a good practice guide being published in 2002 (EEMUA Publication 201).

EEMUA’s current agenda on alarm systems

The Association, through its Instrumentation & Control Committee, is now revising both EEMUA Publication 191 and Publication 201.

Join us

To participate in EEMUA’s Instrumentation & Control Committee (INC) and/or the revision of 191/201, write to .