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Back to Basics: Managing Alarms

Editor in chief Walt Boyes talks about effective alarm management processes. Over the past 50 years many process industry disasters could have been avoided if only the proper alarm systems had been in place. The switch of alarm management systems from panel walls to display screens and DCSs resulted in system operators' loss of visual pattern recognition. This switch caused the newer generations of alarm operators to develop tunnel vision. Meanwhile lack of careful alarm rationalization causes them to be inundated with too many alarms, making it impossible to respond to the important ones. Watch this 5-minute video and learn how to design an alarm system that contributes to your plant's "inherently safe" lifestyle.