Throughout 2021, our team has been hard at work on a new software update to the ALMgr module in our POEMS™ Control Room Management software suite (CRM Suite). We focused on enhancing the module to support the latest pipeline Alarm Management needs of operators. ALMgr is specifically designed for operators to conform to the requirements …
ALMgr: Announcing New Features to Support Pipeline Alarm Management Read More »
There are many software tools available for pipeline operators to support Alarm Management for their pipeline operation. However, not all tools are built for purpose for the human element of Pipeline Alarm Management. Many tools on the market are reporting platforms that were designed for the process industries and are focused on capturing what was …
Alarm Management: Optimize the Human Element Through Tools Read More »
Pipeline controllers are no longer an afterthought in today’s world of pipeline safety management. In fact, controllers play a critical role in helping develop and implement the safety component of pipeline operations. In a previous era, pipeline controllers were thought of as “executors” responsible for simply executing the tasks presented to them in the control …
How a Pipeline Controller Can Support an Alarm Management Program Read More »
There are numerous SCADA platforms and numerous alarm management tools available in the market, but how do you know which platform is right for your operation? I have encountered many small-to-medium-sized pipeline operators who overspend on a SCADA platform that is designed for larger operators with large control centers and highly complex operations. And, I …
SCADA and Alarm Management: Are You Aligned with RP 1167? Read More »
Several years ago, the hot topic in the control room was alarm floods. Operators were striving for compliance with the new CRM Rule, which led to some “over-correction” by setting up alarming for every activity in a pipeline. Now, alarming has matured. It’s time to achieve a higher level of control room effectiveness, compliance, and …
The Alarm Management Challenge Facing Pipeline Operators Read More »
Control room managers often wrestle with the alarm management question — how many alarms are too many? And if your internal standard requires that a controller generate a log for every alarm they encounter, even false alarms, that number of alarms can be high. So, should your controllers generate a log when just acknowledging alarms? …
Alarm Management: Should Your Controllers Generate a Log When Acknowledging Alarms? Read More »
A well-managed alarm management program mitigates the inherent risks of pipeline operations. There are risks associated with simple concepts such as too many alarms, too few alarms, or improperly designed alarms. Other risks stem from more complex issues such as outdated alarm rationalization, the inability to identify “bad actors” in alarm activity, and controllers ill-equipped …
ALMgr: A Reliable Solution to Manage Operating Risks through Alarm Management Read More »
Alarm management is required by the PHMSA CRM Rule, which means that implementing and maintaining an alarm management program can quickly become a headache for pipeline operators. The common issue that operators face is deciding on the right path to achieve effective alarm rationalization. If you take a wrong turn or select the wrong tools, …
Alarm Rationalization: How to Reduce Your Costs to Stay Within Budget Read More »
Pipeline operators face a unique challenge of ensuring that controllers and other essential staff members are prepared to identify, respond to, and resolve abnormal operating conditions. By definition, an “abnormal” operating condition (AOC) occurs when an operation operates outside of the defined normal operating conditions. Abnormal operating conditions can happen at any time and may …
Enhance Your Response to Abnormal Operating Conditions: Review, Train & Improve Read More »
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Implement | Part 4 Implementing an Effective Alarm Management Program The CRM rule specifically addresses requirements for alarm management referencing API RP 1167, Pipeline SCADA Alarm Management. The objective of the alarm management process is to provide for a greater operating domain for the controller. With an effective alarm management program, the controller retains permission to …
