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Alarming Possibilities

ISA Alarm Sequencing


In A Nutshell
by Simon Paonessa

Alarms are a necessary part of the process control industry. Unintended faults in
automation equipment are inevitable and must be communicated to operators clearly
in order to avoid dangerous conditions.

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F2 M -1
First Out Operation Option Number(s)

Basic Sequence Number

Figure 1. ISA Sequence Example

The ideal industrial facility is one to general confusion about alarms simplicity is desired or where separation
in which all process variables remain meaning and a boy who cried wolf from the basic process control system
consistently within normal operating mentality about alarms in the facility. is required for safety reasons.3 The
parameters. Such facilities are few and use of an independent alarm system
far between, however, so it is necessary can put more emphasis on the alarm
that personnel are quickly and Types of Alarm Systems condition and potentially lead to a more
effectively notified of abnormal process active alarm response. Annunciators
conditions so that they may be dealt Alarms can be communicated can be programmed to manage large
with accordingly. In industrial facilities to operators via a variety of means. groups of process variable alarm points
where there are a multitude of process Some process control devices include and administer alarm notification in
variables at play, such as automated built in alarm lights or audible sounds. a manner that suits the needs of the
manufacturing plants, waste water These can allow limited alarming for operator.
treatment facilities, and the oil and small numbers of alarm points, but
natural gas industries, implementing a can quickly become overwhelming (or
successful alarm indication protocol can underwhelming) when a large number ISA Sequences
quickly become frustratingly complex. of variables are introduced. Software
solutions can display alarm conditions The ISA 18.1 standard, the standard
Because of the amount of alarms on an operators computer screen and that defines alarm sequencing, exists in
required to monitor all relevant allow for remote acknowledgment of the order to "establish uniform annunciator
process variables in modern industrial alarm state. These, however, have led terminology, sequence designations,
facilities, an important component to a decline in the recognition of and and sequence presentation to improve
of safety system response to alarm communications among those that
design is alarm conditions because, specify, distribute, manufacture, or use
rationalization and The ISA 18.1 standard, on computer annunciators."4 It's needed so that alarm
alarm management.1 the standard that defines screens, [alarms] are systems are designed to meet the specific
It may be the case alarm sequencing, exists not very visible and requirements of any number of industrial
that in order for an so that alarm systems are can go unnoticed.2 applications. It is therefore necessary to
operator to return designed to meet the specific first understand the designations defined
one process variable Annunciators by the ISA standard before being able
requirements of any number
to normal, another are discrete devices to determine what alarming sequence is
related variable might of industrial applications. that are specifically best for a specific process control system.
need to temporarily designed to make Each alarm sequence in the ISA 18.1
go into an abnormal state, triggering operators aware of abnormal operating standard is given a unique identifier which
the alarm and flashing hazard lights conditions in an industrial facility can be broken down into three parts:
for the system again. Variables that through the use of lights and sounds.
routinely go abnormal only briefly can 1. First Out Operation
The lights can be anything from internal
trigger alarms excessively and do more 2. Basic Sequence Number
LEDs to large external flashing hazard
to annoy operators than to alert them 3. Option Numbers (if any)
lights and the sound can be generated
of potentially troublesome process from a horn, buzzer, or bell. These Figure 1 shows an example of one such
conditions. An excess of alarms and separate hardware alarming units are sequence.
incorrect alarm sequencing can lead typically used in installations where

2
First Out Operation Basic Sequence Letter Option Numbers
The first part of the sequence is The second part of the sequence In order to provide as much
the first out operation. According to the is the basic sequence letter which flexibility as possible, the ISA 18.1
ISA 18.1 standard, it indicate[s] which determines the rudimentary alarm standard defines option numbers
one of a group of alarm points operated functionality. There are three of these: that can be affixed to the sequence
first.5 Essentially, this designates what A (automatic reset), M (manual reset), designation. There are fourteen such
will happen if another alarm in the alarm and R (ringback).6 option numbers defined as part of the
group triggers when the first alarm to standard that define everything from the
sound is still in its alarm state. There Automatic reset returns the use of alarm silence buttons, whether
are four first out operations. sequence to the normal or not to sound an audible alarm, and
A state automatically after the even alarm lamp test functionality.7
Having no first out operation acknowledge button is pushed and the
defined means that each process condition has returned to a Some examples of options
_
subsequent alarm will behave normal state. available are:
identically to the initial alarm. If the
annunciator is programmed to sound a Manual reset will only return the -1 (Silence Pushbutton): A
horn and flash lights at any given alarm sequence to the normal state separate pushbutton is added
M -1
point until the process variable returns to after pressing the acknowledge to allow silencing the alarm
a normal state, then that is exactly what button, returning the process condition audible device without affecting the
the annunciator will do regardless of if to normal, and pressing the reset button. visual display.
there is already an active alarm state.
Ringback behaves similarly -3 (First Out Reset Interlock):
The F1 first out operation is to manual reset except that An interlock is added to require
it also provides distinctive -3 operation of the acknowledge
the opposite, acknowledging R
F1 visual and audible indications pushbutton before first out alarms
new alarms and bypassing the
audible and visual alarm notifications when the process condition returns to can be reset by the first out reset
for these subsequent alarm conditions. a normal state. This mode requires an pushbutton.
The first out operation is reset when the annunciator that is equipped to provide
acknowledge button is pressed. these unique indication modes in order -5 (No Flashing): The visual
to work. display flashing feature is
-5
F2 is similar, except that it deleted. New alarms have
bypasses the audible and the same visual display indication as
F2 acknowledged alarms.
visual notifications without
acknowledging the new alarms.
-6 (No Audible): The audible
F3 first out operation flashes device is disabled.
-6
alarm indication lights in a The ISA-18.1 standard
F3 different pattern in order to may be found at the ISA
differentiate new alarms from the website (www.isa.org). -7 (Automatic Alarm Silence):
first out alarm. This type of first out A time delay device is added
-7 to silence the alarm audible
operation requires an additional first
out reset button on the annunciator. device after a set time without affecting
Pushing this button will reset the first the visual displays.
out indication whether or not the alarms
have been acknowledged.

Figure 2. Understanding an ISA Sequence

F2 M -1 F2 M -1 F2 M -1
The F2 designates that any The M defines this sequence as The -1 indicates that there is a
subsequent alarms in the alarm being a manual reset and will separate audible alarm silence
group will be automatically require pressing the reset button button which can be used to
silenced but not acknowledged. after pressing the acknowledge turn off the horn, buzzer, or bell
button and returning the process that is associated with the active
condition to a normal state. alarm.

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Example Sequence Usage Sequence A Sequence F2A
Acknowledge Pushbutton First-Out Indication w/Ack
The ISA 18.1 standard enables and Automatic Reset Pushbutton & Automatic Reset
manufacturers, installers, and operators Momentary Alarm Momentary Alarm
to communicate alarm planning in a Condition LED Horn Condition LED Horn
uniform manner. Understanding the Normal Off Off 1st Pt Next Pt
meaning behind the numbers and Alert Flash On Normal Off Off Off
letters that make up a sequence can Normal Flash On Alert Flash Steady On
allow one to think logically about what Normal Flash Steady On
sequence would be best utilized in a Acknowledge Off Off
given situation. The following scenarios Ack Off Off Off
illustrate when different sequences Maintained Alarm Maintained Alarm
might be utilized to meet the needs of
Condition LED Horn Condition LED Horn
the application.
Normal Off Off 1st Pt Next Pt
Alert Flash On Normal Off Off Off
Tank Level Monitoring Alert Flash Steady On

(sequence A) Acknowledge
Normal
Steady Off
Off Ack Steady Steady Off
Off
It is often necessary to measure Normal Off Off Off
the level of some liquid in a tank. In
situations such as this, a buoyancy level Figure 3. Common ISA Sequences A and F2A
switch can be wired to an annunciator.
In a tank that is five and a half feet tall,
this switch, which is open when the Pressurized Clean Room Summary
tank has less than five feet of liquid Monitoring (sequence F1R)
and closed when the liquid exceeds Alarms are a necessary part of the
this amount, can use an annunciator Clean rooms, such as computer process control industry. Unintended
with sequence A-1 to indicate a high rooms and hospital isolation rooms, as faults in automation equipment are
level alarm. When the level exceeds well as asbestos abatement projects inevitable and must be communicated
five feet and the level switch closes, (just to name a few instances) require to operators clearly in order to avoid the
the annunciator will sound its horn and differential pressure in order to keep potentially troublesome or hazardous
flash its light. The operator can press a zones of air separated from one results of neglected abnormal process
button to silence the audible alarm so another. The pressure levels of these conditions. Alarms can be managed
that the issue can be addressed without zones should be constantly monitored using basic alarming functions included
added distraction. Once the alarm is as pressure equilibrium would lead to in some process control devices,
acknowledged and the liquid in the tank cross-contamination of other zones. software based alarming applications,
returns to below five feet, opening the In the case of asbestos abatement, or dedicated hardware annunciators.
level switch, the alarm sequence returns this could lead to heavy fines levied The ISA 18.1 standard is a means
to its normal state and the annunciator by the EPA. Annunciators monitoring with which to uniformly define alarm
light turns off. differential pressure in cases such as sequencing logic for manufacturers,
this might use the sequence F1R-3. installers, and operators of process
This sequence would only show first control equipment. This standard allows
Steam Boiler Temperature out indication, limiting the alarming to for the simple communication, and
and Pressure (sequence F2A) the origin of pressure destabilization therefore the logical research, planning,
rather than sounding for surrounding and installation of alarm sequencing.
Monitoring the temperature and
areas into which air could be escaping, Understanding what the numbers and
pressure in a steam boiler being fired
so that operators know in which area letters of an ISA sequence mean,
by natural gas is essential to ensuring
to concentrate their containment and the available alarm management
the safety of nearby personnel and
efforts. It also incorporates a ringback, options defined under the ISA standard,
property. A pressure buildup could
announcing when the differential can help to alleviate the confusion and
easily lead to an explosion. Separate
pressure has returned to acceptable frustration of process control alarm
sensors are used to measure the
levels. Lastly, the -3 shows that this indication in industrial environments.
temperature and the pressure, so they
sequence incorporates a first out
would be represented by different
reset interlock, ensuring that the alarm
channels on an annunciator alarm
remains active for the original room only by Simon Paonessa - Technical Writer
group. These variables are, however,
until the acknowledge button is pressed. Precision Digital Corporation
interconnected, as the increase in
temperature will lead to an increase in
References
pressure and vice versa. In many cases, 4. ANSI/ISA-S18.1-1979
for troubleshooting purposes the most 1. Liptk, Bla G., Instrument Engineers' (R1992), Annunciator
important thing an operator wants to Handbook, Fourth Edition, Volume Two: Sequences and
Process Control and Optimization, CRC Specifications, ISA, pg. 7
know is whether the high temperature
Press, Sep 29, 2005, pg. 581 5. ISA-S18.1, pg. 22
or high pressure occurred first so 2. Ibid 6. ISA-S18.1, pg. 20
sequence F2A would be the best choice. 3. Ibid 7. ISA-S18.1, pg. 21

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