ISA-77 Standards for Fossil Fuel Power Plants
Advancing Safety, Efficiency and Reliability in Power Generation
The ISA-77 series of standards and technical reports provides essential guidance for the automation, control and safe operation of fossil fuel power plants. These documents define functional requirements and outline best practices to help power plants optimize performance, enhance safety and maintain compliance with environmental and industry regulations.
Whether managing steam turbine controls, combustion systems or NOx emissions, ISA-77 standards offer a consistent framework to improve operational integrity, reduce risk and promote industry-wide consistency. Covering a wide range of systems—from simulators and feedwater control to HMI design and sequence control—this series supports engineers, operators and designers in building and maintaining reliable and efficient power generation facilities.
ISA-77 Series of Standards
ANSI/ISA-77.14.01-2019, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Steam Turbine Controls
This standard provides guidance for the design, implementation and maintenance of control systems for steam turbines used in fossil fuel power plants. It outlines functional requirements, control strategies and best practices to maintain safe, reliable and efficient turbine operation. This standard addresses both mechanical and electrical aspects of turbine control, including startup, shutdown, load control, protection systems and interface with plant-wide control systems. It serves as a valuable resource for engineers, designers and operators involved in turbine control systems, promoting consistency and performance optimization across the industry.
ANSI/ISA-77.20.01-2012, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Simulators: Functional Requirements
This standard establishes the minimum functional requirements for simulators used in the training, testing and validation of control systems and operational procedures in fossil fuel power plants. The standard outlines the necessary features, performance criteria and fidelity levels for various types of simulators, from full-scope operator training simulators to partial or specific-function simulators. It also addresses model accuracy, user interface requirements and integration with plant control systems. By providing a consistent framework, the standard helps promote the effective support of operator competency, safety and system performance in real-world power plant operations.
ANSI/ISA-77.41.01-2015, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Boiler Combustion Controls
This standard provides guidance on the design, implementation and maintenance of combustion control systems in fossil fuel-fired boilers. The standard covers control strategies for fuel and air management, burner management integration and emissions control to support safe, stable and efficient boiler operation. It addresses various combustion control configurations and technologies, aiming to improve system reliability, performance and environmental compliance. This standard serves as a reference for engineers and operators involved in boiler control system design and operation, helping to align practices across the industry.
ANSI/ISA-77.42.01-2019, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Feedwater Control System
This standard outlines the functional requirements and recommended practices for the design and operation of feedwater control systems in fossil fuel power plants. This standard focuses on maintaining proper water levels in boilers to support safe, efficient and stable plant operations. It covers control strategies, system configurations, instrumentation and integration with plant-wide control systems. By providing guidance on both automatic and manual control methods, the standard supports consistent performance and helps reduce risks associated with improper feedwater management.
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ANSI/ISA-77.43.01-2014, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Unit/Plant Demand Development
This standard defines the functional requirements and best practices for developing and managing unit and plant demand signals in fossil fuel power plants. The standard focuses on how demand signals are generated, coordinated and distributed to various control systems to achieve desired load levels, maintain stability and optimize performance. It addresses both automatic and operator-influenced demand development, promoting effective load response and coordination among plant systems. This guidance contributes to reliable power generation and efficient integration of plant operations within broader energy system demands.
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ANSI/ISA-77.44.01-2007, (R2013), Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Steam Temperature Controls
This standard provides guidance on the design and implementation of control systems that regulate steam temperature in fossil fuel power plants. The standard addresses key control strategies, system configurations and instrumentation required to maintain steam temperatures within desired ranges under varying load conditions. It emphasizes the importance of steam temperature control for plant efficiency, equipment protection and overall system stability. By offering a structured approach, the standard supports consistent performance and helps operators manage thermal conditions critical to a safe and efficient plant operation.
Add PDF to CartANSI/ISA-77.70.02-2014, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Instrument Piping Installation
This standard provides guidance and best practices for the installation of instrument piping and tubing systems in fossil fuel power plants. The standard focuses on proper design, layout, support and material selection to promote accurate measurement, reliable performance and safe operation of instrumentation systems. It addresses common installation challenges, such as vibration, temperature effects and accessibility for maintenance. Standardizing installation practices contributes to improved system integrity, reduced errors and enhanced overall efficiency in plant instrumentation.
ANSI/ISA-77.82.01-2019, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Control Systems
This standard provides functional requirements and recommended practices for the design, implementation and operation of SCR control systems used in fossil fuel power plants to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. This standard outlines control strategies for managing reagent injection, temperature and flow to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the SCR process. It also addresses system integration, monitoring and safety considerations to support regulatory compliance and environmental performance. This guidance helps improve emission control reliability while maintaining overall plant efficiency.
ISA-77.13.01-1999 (R2008), Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Steam Turbine Bypass System
This standard outlines the design requirements and operational guidelines for steam turbine bypass systems in fossil fuel power plants, specifically addressing drum and once-through steam generators and combined cycle plants with a minimum steam capacity of 200,000 lb/hr. It establishes essential specifications for hardware configurations, control logic, instrumentation and safety measures to maintain effective pressure, temperature and flow control of steam around turbines during various operational scenarios such as cold starts, warm starts, load rejections and shutdowns. This document emphasizes the importance of maintaining high steam quality, implementing fail-safe mechanisms and achieving compliance with relevant standards while promoting participation from industry stakeholders in the development of these practices.
Technical Reports
ANSI/ISA-TR77.30.01-2015, Power Plant Control System Dynamic Performance Test Methods and Procedures
This technical report outlines test procedures, data collection requirements, performance metrics and data analysis methods for assessing the dynamic performance of control systems in power plants, specifically for boiler and turbine control systems with a capacity of 25 MW or greater. This document aims to establish consistent evaluation criteria necessary for compliance with contractual specifications and dynamic performance requirements. It covers various aspects of plant operations, including constant load operation, load ramping, grid regulation and responses to disturbances. Additionally, it offers guidance on developing test plans and highlights the significance of accurate data collection and analysis for effective monitoring and improvement of control system performance.
ANSI/ISA-TR77.70.01-2010 (R2015), Tracking and Reporting of Instrument and Control Data
This technical report outlines methodologies for tracking and reporting instrument and control data in power plants. It emphasizes the importance of having a centralized database application to manage non-operational instrumentation and control system data, which enhances safety, efficiency and accessibility for plant personnel. This report details various components such as an instrument index, distributed control system (DCS) and circuit raceway applications, all designed to streamline access to critical information, improve troubleshooting processes and facilitate maintenance activities. Additionally, it highlights the need for periodic reviews and updates to maintain the relevance and accuracy of the standards presented.
ISA-TR77.00.01-2019, Fossil Fuel Power Plant—Definitions and Basic Control Concepts
This technical report aims to establish uniform terminology and explain basic control concepts relevant to the fossil fuel power industry. It serves as guidance for professionals involved in various activities such as sales, engineering and maintenance. This report includes definitions of key terms, abbreviations and design considerations for control systems while emphasizing the importance of redundancy and safety in instrumentation and control processes.
ISA-TR77.22.01-2023, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Plant Sequence Control
This technical report provides comprehensive technical guidance for the development, implementation and management of sequence control systems in fossil fuel power plants. This report outlines best practices for automating startup, shutdown, load changes and protection sequences to maintain reliable and efficient operation of complex thermal power generation systems. It emphasizes the importance of standardized design approaches to improve system integrity, reduce human error and enhance operational safety. This document also addresses modern control system integration, such as the use of distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), while considering legacy equipment compatibility. Additionally, the technical report discusses diagnostic strategies, failure handling and maintenance planning, offering a framework to support consistent performance and compliance with industry standards.
Add PDF to CartISA-TR77.42.02-2014, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Compensated Differential Pressure Based Drum Level Measurement
This technical report provides detailed guidance on the use of compensated differential pressure (DP) techniques for accurately measuring drum level in fossil fuel power plants. This report explains the principles behind DP-based measurement systems, accounting for variables such as pressure, temperature and density changes that affect accuracy. It outlines best practices for installation, calibration and maintenance of instrumentation to support reliable performance under varying operational conditions. This report also addresses challenges like dynamic process changes, condensation effects and elevation differences between sensing points. By offering a structured approach to drum level measurement, the report supports improved boiler efficiency, operational safety and system reliability.
ISA-TR77.60.04-2013, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Human-Machine Interface – Electronic Screen Displays
This technical report provides guidance on the design and implementation of effective electronic screen displays used in human-machine interfaces (HMIs) within fossil fuel power plants. This report emphasizes the importance of clear, intuitive and consistent visual displays to support operator awareness, decision-making and response time during normal and abnormal operating conditions. It covers principles for layout, color usage, navigation, alarm representation and data presentation, all aimed at enhancing usability and reducing operator error. This document incorporates human factors engineering and ergonomic principles to enhance the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of control room operations.
Add PDF to CartRecommended Practices
ISA-RP77.60.02-2014, Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Human-Machine Interface: Hard Panel Alarms
This recommended practice offers recommended practices for the design, placement and management of hard panel alarm systems in fossil fuel power plants. This document focuses on optimizing alarm effectiveness to support operator awareness and timely response during various plant conditions. It addresses alarm prioritization, grouping, labeling and layout to reduce the risk of information overload and make critical alarms clearly distinguishable. This report also emphasizes the integration of hard panel alarms with other control room systems to maintain consistency and enhance situational awareness. Through these recommendations, this document aims to promote safer and more efficient plant operations.
ISA-RP77.60.05-2001 (R2012), Fossil Fuel Power Plant Human-Machine Interface: Task Analysis
This recommended practice provides recommended practices for conducting task analysis to support the design of effective human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in fossil fuel power plants. This report outlines methods for identifying and evaluating operator tasks, including routine operations, maintenance activities and emergency responses. By analyzing these tasks, designers can develop interfaces that align with operator needs, reduce cognitive workload and enhance performance. This document emphasizes the importance of understanding the context in which tasks are performed, including environmental and organizational factors, to create more intuitive and reliable HMI systems. This approach ultimately supports improved operator efficiency, safety and decision-making in control room environments.
Why These Standards Matter
Safety and Risk Reduction
- Mitigate hazards such as equipment failure and explosions.
- Improve emergency response through robust alarm and protection systems.
Performance and Efficiency
- Optimize combustion, feedwater and steam systems for better fuel usage.
- Validate dynamic control system performance under changing loads.
Regulatory Compliance
- Support emissions reduction with SCR systems and reliable measurement.
- Meet industry safety and operational requirements with HMI and alarm standards.
Reliability and Maintenance
- Enhance system longevity and maintenance efficiency through standardized instrumentation practices.
- Enable hands-on operator training with realistic, standardized simulators.
Industry Consistency
- Promote global alignment in power plant design and operation.
- Improve interoperability, upgrade flexibility and system integration.
Power Plant Excellence with ISA-77
Following the ISA-77 standards, technical reports and recommended practices allow fossil fuel power plants to operate more cleanly, safely and efficiently—while staying ahead of regulatory demands. These standards provide a clear blueprint for achieving operational excellence across the lifecycle of power generation systems.
ISA77 Committee
The ISA77 committee develops the standards, technical reports, and recommended practices that shape the automation systems of fossil fuel power plants. Focusing on safety, efficiency and reliability, the committee brings together professionals dedicated to advancing the future of power generation.
Want to get involved? Join a community of experts helping shape the future of energy systems. Explore the current members of the ISA77 Committee and discover how you can be a part of this impactful initiative.
Have questions? Reach out to the ISA Standards Team at standards@isa.org