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Digitalisation: ISA-18.2 and the future of Alarm Management
JAMES FOX
OCTOBER 2024
Introduction
Alarm management is a cornerstone of safe and efficient industrial operations. The ISA-18.2 standard, developed by the International Society of Automation, gives us a structured approach to managing alarms in the process industry. As the digital age continues to evolve, we’re exploring how digitalisation can assist or even revolutionise alarm management, with multiple stakeholders contributing to these efforts. In this blog, I’ll explore the fundamentals of ISA-18.2 and examine how the ongoing exploration of digitalisation is being shaped by active contributions from industry experts.
Woman at control centre using ProcessVue alarm management software
The Basics of ISA-18.2
ISA-18.2, officially titled “Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries,” was introduced in 2009 and has since become the industry benchmark for alarm management. The standard outlines a comprehensive lifecycle for alarm systems, focusing on key principles such as:

  • 1 - 1. Alarm Rationalisation

    Streamlining alarm systems by analysing and categorising alarms to minimise unnecessary alerts.

  • 2 - Alarm Prioritisation

    Prioritising alarms based on their criticality to ensure that operators can focus on the most significant issues.

  • 3 - Alarm Suppression

    Temporarily suppressing alarms under specific conditions to prevent alarm floods and operator overload.

  • 4 - Operator Response

    Establishing clear, actionable responses for each alarm to enable timely and effective intervention.

These principles have been instrumental in guiding the industry towards safer and more efficient operations. However, as technology advances, the exploration of digitalisation within the ISA-18.2 framework is gathering momentum, with key industry members actively contributing to this evolution.
Digitalisation in Alarm Management: A New Frontier
Digitalisation, the integration of digital technologies into existing processes, promises to enhance alarm management by enabling greater automation, data-driven insights, and operational efficiency. Within the context of ISA-18.2, digitalisation is still in its exploratory phase, but several promising use cases are emerging, driven by leading alarm management specialists like ProcessVue and other industry experts:

  • 1 - Enhanced Alarm Rationalisation

    Digital tools embodying master alarm databases can automate aspects of the alarm rationalisation process. With the ability to embed key portions of your alarm philosophy documentation they help to enforce standardised and consistent approaches to alarm management.

  • 2 - Advanced Data Analytics

    By applying big data and machine learning, digitalised alarm management systems can detect patterns and trends that may not be visible to human operators. This capability could lead to more accurate alarm predictions and early detection of potential issues.

  • 3 - Improved Operator Responses

    Master alarm databases being integrated with HMI’s providing operators with important information about alarms directly in the HMI, such as the authorised responses to alarms and the consequences of missing them.

  • 4 - Insight and reviews of operator actions

    Digitalised alarm management systems providing collaborative environments to facilitate the recording and reviews of operator actions, helping to identify additional operator training opportunities.

  • 5 - Dynamic Alarm Management

    Traditional alarm systems are often static, with predefined thresholds. Digitalisation introduces dynamic alarm management, where settings can be adjusted in real-time based on current operating conditions, reducing nuisance alarms and improving efficiency.

Alarm Management control panel
Active Contributions to Standards and Validation

As digitalisation efforts progress, multiple members of the process industry, including ProcessVue, are actively contributing to the development and refinement of alarm management standards and technical reports. Our involvement ensures that the exploration of digitalisation is grounded in practical, real-world applications. By validating emerging use cases and sharing insights from our operational experiences, we help shape the direction of standards like ISA-18.2.

Our contributions are not just theoretical; they are based on rigorous testing and validation of digital technologies in real-world environments. This collaborative approach helps ensure that digitalised alarm management solutions are effective, reliable, and aligned with industry needs. It also provides a feedback loop that allows us to refine our practices continuously, incorporating the latest innovations while adhering to the core principles of ISA-18.2.

Challenges and Considerations
While digitalisation offers significant potential, it also presents challenges that must be addressed:

  • Data Security

    As digitalisation increases data collection and analysis, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is critical to protect sensitive information.

  • Interoperability

    Integrating digital tools with existing systems can be complex. Ensuring that new solutions are compatible with legacy systems is essential for a smooth transition.

  • Standardised Data

    Alarm data must be standardised to allow consistent analysis of data across multiple systems and sites

  • Human Factors

    Digitalisation should complement, not replace, human decision-making. Training operators to effectively use new digital tools is crucial for success.

The Future of Alarm Management

As digitalisation continues to evolve, the ISA-18.2 standard is expected to incorporate new technologies, guided by the contributions of industry experts. This collaborative effort will ensure that digitalised alarm management solutions are safe, effective, and aligned with industry best practices.

Organisations looking to stay ahead should begin exploring digitalisation opportunities within their alarm management systems, engage with industry forums, and contribute to the ongoing development of standards. Our active participation in these efforts ensures that we are not only adapting to change but also helping to drive it.

Conclusion

The digitalisation of alarm management represents a significant opportunity for the process industry. By integrating advanced analytics, dynamic management, and remote monitoring, digitalisation can enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability. However, this journey is just beginning, and it requires careful consideration of challenges and implications.

Our active contributions to the development of alarm management standards like ISA-18.2 ensure that these new technologies are validated and refined in real-world settings. By staying engaged with these efforts, organisations can leverage the full potential of digitalised alarm management and contribute to shaping the future of the industry.

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