International Society of Automation News Release
Contact: Bernard H. Penney
(919) 990-9291
bpenney@isa.org
ISA Approves Widely Anticipated Standard on Alarm Systems
Research Triangle Park, NC (22 June 2009) – A major new standard on the development, installation, and management of alarm systems in the process industries has reached a significant milestone. ISA-18.2, "Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries," has been approved by the ISA Standards & Practices Board and, following final approval by the American National Standards Institute, is expected to be published in July.
Alarm system management requires several activities and work processes connected by the alarm system lifecycle. The new standard defines the terminology and models for a common language to describe the alarm system. It also describes the activities required to achieve the desired performance of the alarm system and to maintain that performance.
"Improving the performance of alarm systems is essential to achieving operational excellence in manufacturing," stated Nicholas Sands of DuPont, co-chair of the ISA18 committee. "The activities covered in this standard will help solve the common problems with alarm systems, which will in turn reduce the frequency of safety incidents and plant upsets and lead to improved business performance."
With nearly 100 experts from across the globe, the ISA18 committee, Instrument Signals and Alarms, develops standards and related documents for alarm systems including the definition, design, installation, operation, maintenance, modification, and work processes to effectively maintain an alarm system over time. The committee is beginning work on a series of technical reports to provide further definition and examples of the lifecycle work processes.
"The ISA-18.2 standard is the product of a dedicated and experienced group of volunteers that worked through the consensus standards process," stated Donald Dunn of Aramco Services Company the US affiliate of Saudi Aramco, co-chair of ISA18. "The committee was motivated by the common experience of incidents when the alarm system failed to prevent an event."
For more information on the full scope of ISA18 committee activity, visit ISA18.org or call +1-919-549-8411.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in North America. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
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