The Importance And Role Of Management
Of Change In Alarm Rationalisation
For the process industries, it is essential
On any process plant, one inappropriately
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that
to manage change when making
modified alarm could be responsible
management of change is applicable to
modifications to alarms and alarm systems.
for an incident that attracts regulatory
the whole alarm management lifecycle,
Management of Change (MoC) should
attention, or results in a significant loss
throughout the life of your system; and
therefore be a fundamental process within
of production or generating capacity. A
don’t forget, when developing an alarm
the alarm management lifecycle, says Ian
robust MoC process must not only allow
philosophy in compliance with the
Brown, Alarm Rationalisation & Services
you to manage and track any changes you
alarm management standards, a section
Manager at M.A.C. Solutions.
may make, but should also incorporate
detailing management of change is
checks and balances to ensure the
required content.
It is widely recognised throughout the
process industries that making changes
to assets can be prone to error. Indeed,
some plant accidents and incidents
changes are appropriate and safe, and
must include appropriate levels of review
and authorisation within its structure.
For more information on alarm
management products and services,
please visit www.processvue.com or
have been attributed to poorly executed
Management of change is a fundamental
telephone MAC Solutions on
or unapproved changes. Making any
process within the alarm management
01527 529774 or
change, no matter how large or small, is
lifecycle as defined in the relevant
email [email protected]
an inherently risky business, unless the
standards and guidance (see Fig1: “Alarm
associated risks are comprehensively
Management Lifecycle”). In reality, it not
evaluated and documented within a
only covers the processes from alarm
structured, well defined MoC process.
identification through to implementation,
It is essential to manage change when
making modifications to your alarms and
alarm systems. Alarms within your alarm
system are one level of mitigation against
the potential for any safety, environmental,
financial or product quality incidents on
your plant.
but is also valid and necessary in the
operation and maintenance phases when
alarm modifications may be required due
to process or plant changes, and indeed
is relevant when considering an alarm
philosophy that may need to be updated
as systems are modified, upgraded or
replaced.