CRM and Alarm Management Plans Reviewed Prior to Audit

PROJECT

SCADA Alarm Management and Control Room Management Audit

Background

An interstate distribution company called on ENTRUST Solutions Group to perform a Control Room Management (CRM) audit, revise CRM plans and procedures, rationalize their SCADA alarms, and develop an Alarm Management Plan with related procedures.

Challenges

To meet the Pipeline Safety: Control Room Management/Human Factors rule, the client wanted an independent review prior to PHMSA and State Commission audits. In addition, they wanted assistance revising and developing CRM and Alarm Management Plans, coupled with alarm rationalization, to comply with the Control Room Management requirements in 49 CFR 192.

Solutions

To support the client’s continued Control Room Management development, ENTRUST Solutions Group completed the following project tasks:

Audit

Performed a review of CRM policies and procedures
Performed personnel interviews to understand practices
Reviewed all CRM related documentation to confirm compliance with written procedures and jurisdictional requirements
Provided an analysis of specific aspects needed to meet the federal rule, guidance, and industry best practices

Alarm Management

Developed an overview and plan
Defined safety related alarms, points, and rationalization process
Defined normal, abnormal, and emergency operations and controller response
Performed alarm reviews
Developed alarm performance metrics
Prepared an alarm philosophy document

Alarm Rationalization

Identified bad actor/nuisance alarms
Identified alarms most critical to safety and operations
Defined attributes of each alarm
Documented consequences and response time
Documented operator action
Prioritized alarms

Upon completion of these projects, the client was able to identify areas needing revision for compliance; define controller roles/responsibilities; define system operation and maintenance guidelines; and develop a concise set of relevant, actionable, and unique alarms.

The client requested assistance revising and developing CRM and Alarm Management Plans, coupled with alarm rationalization, to comply with the Control Room Management requirements in 49 CFR 192.

Project