Requalification 1-4 section Flashcards
1
Q
What is Alarm Management Philosophy?
A
Is an effective tool in helping the Controller take the proper action at the proper time.
2
Q
Alarm Management Philosophy is achieved if:
A
- Alarms are properly selected and implemented
- Alarms are relevant
- Alarms are configured consistently
- Alarm presentation rates can be effectively handled by Controllers
- Alarm descriptions and importance allow for rapid response
3
Q
Alarm Management Expectations:
A
- To follow procedures
- Effective Alarm management does not substitute for constant monitoring of operations
- Alarm management is a tool to enhance Controllers ability to make decisions based on training, experience and skill
4
Q
Alarm Definition:
A
An Alarm is an audible and visible means of indicating:
- Emergency/abnormal condition
- Change in status
- Analog process deviation
- Equipment malfunction
5
Q
To be classified as an Alarm it must:
A
require a response from the Controller
6
Q
5 Alarm Categories are:
A
- Safety Related
- Operational Status
- Operational Parameter
- Product Quality
- Diagnostic
7
Q
Definition of Safety Related Alarm
A
Indicates a possible emergency/ abnormal condition that may have significant impact
8
Q
Definition of Operational Status Alarm
A
Indicates a change in status of a device
9
Q
Operational Parameter Alarm
A
Indicates operational conditions are outside of desired parameters
10
Q
Product Quality Alarm
A
Parameters associated with monitoring quality are outside acceptable range (API/OID)
11
Q
Diagnostic Alarm
A
Condition where process control or equipment is not functioning (Fails/Lock-outs)
12
Q
Alarm priority is determined when
A
During the D&R process
Documentation & Rationalization
13
Q
What is the D&R Process?
A
- a consistent, logical methodology which alarms are determined, prioritized and documented
- documented (P&CD, SCADA, CAD)
14
Q
D&R is used to:
A
- Determine Alarm configuration (new system)
- Configure correct Alarms (existing system)
- Ensure consistency
- Minimize duplicates
- Ensure meaningful Alarm priorities and set points
- Provide detailed alarm information
- Assist in creation of the Master Alarm Database
15
Q
D&R steps:
A
- Determined
- Priority
- Documentation
- Setpoints
16
Q
Three matrices are used to determine priority of each Alarm:
A
- Severity/ Consequence Matrix
- Response Matrix
- Priority Determination Matrix
17
Q
Times required to respond in order to prevent or mitigate an undesired consequence caused by an abnormal condition:
A
Immediate = Less than 1 minute Rapid = Less than 3 minutes Prompt = Less than 30 minutes
18
Q
What is the percentage of Alarm spread?
A
P1 = 5% P2 = 15% P3 = 80%
19
Q
Setpoints
A
Notification is made to the controller in sufficient time to allow for adequate response
20
Q
Controller Alarm Response
A
recognize conditions that are likely to cause abnormal or emergency conditions, predict the consequence and act appropriately to mitigate the condition
21
Q
Alarm Priorities
A
P1 = Red lettering with audible ALARM- circle P2 = Yellow lettering with HIGH TONE BEEP- diamond P3 = Orange lettering with LOW TONE BEEP- trapazoid
22
Q
5 places to find Alarms
A
- Station Format
- Command Bar
- Active Alarm Summary
- Unacknowledged Alarm Summary
- Event Summary
23
Q
What is Alarm Flood?
A
a phrase used to describe a condition during which the rate of Alarm generation exceeds what a Controller can effectively manage ( greater than 10 Alarms in 10 minutes)
24
Q
What is a Stale Alarm?
A
an Alarm that remains in effect for more than 24 hours
25
What is a Nuisance Alarm?
Alarms that temporarily provide no value and can become a distraction
26
3 types of Nuisance Alarms?
1. Chattering Alarm- occurs repeatedly
2. Conditional Alarm- is expected during testing or transient conditions
3. Fleeting Alarm- activates and clears quickly
27
What is Alarm Suppression (Shelving)
the act of temporarily abating an Alarm in an effort to minimize impact for the ability to evaluate and respond to an event or condition
28
What are the 6 types of Alarm suppression?
1. Test Mode
2. Inhibit
3. Volume Balance Zeroing
4. Deactivate
5. ATMOS Deactivate
6. Off Scan
29
Example of a State Based Alarm
Idle Tank Deviation
30
Example of Controller-Adjusted Alarm
Countdowns or Analog pre- alarms
31
What is an Override?
defined in Process Safety as an interruption of a protective function that prevents from operating as designed
32
Alarm System Reports generated to assist with performance evaluation:
- Top 10 list (24 hours and 7 days)
- Deactivated Points
- Suppressed Alarms (non-timer based)
- Alarm setpoint discrepancies
33
What is MOC?
Management of Change
34
What does the MOC process do?
The MOC process evaluates, authorizes and communicates to all personnel changes to normal operations
35
What are Safety Related Alarms?
Are indicators of possible emergency/abnormal conditions that may have significant impact or consequence. Alarms that indicate a possible release, fire, vapor detection, overfill, overpressure, or personal safety condition
36
ZTOL?
Zero Tolerance alarm that requires immediate shutdown and isolation.
37
What is MOP?
the maximum pressure at which a liquid pipeline may be normally operated
38
Potential causes for possible pressure to exceed MOP?
- Unit or Station shutdown by a safety device
- Unit start or stops
- Valve status changes
39
Three Safety- Related Alarm categories?
1. Discrete
2. Analog
3. Generated
40
Examples of a Safety Related Discrete
- Tank EHH
- Sump EHH
- Fire Detected
- Man-down
41
Examples of a Safety Related Analog
- Tank LOLO
- Line Pressure HIHI
- Discharge Pressure HIHI
- Suction Pressure HIHI
42
Examples of a Safety Related Generated Alarm
- VBAL LOLO
- ROC Alarm
- ATMOS imbalance alarm
43
Tank Level Management
Managing tank levels between the operational high and operational low settings to prevent Tank Overfill or Creating a Vapor Space
44
What are the two Tank level devices?
1. Analog Gauge
| 2. EHH (Independent liquid level switch)
45
What is the current time setting between the HI and EHH?
7.5 MINUTES
46
What is the time interval between the EHH and MFH?
5 MINUTES
47
What is the time between the HI and MFH?
12.5 MINUTES
48
What is the Idle Tank Deviation application?
It aids the Controller to detect fluid loss or gain in a tank over time.
49
CPM?
A software based monitoring tool that generates alarms to indicate a possible commodity release
50
What are the 3 CPM tools?
1. Volume Balance
2. ROC
3. ATMOS
51
CPM limitations?
1. Flow
2. Equipment
3. Transient conditions (inhibited or de-sensitized)
52
Type of release caught by VBAL?
small leak over time
53
What is the calculation for VBAL?
Delivery-Receipt= OVER/SHORT
54
How often is VBAL calculated?
every 60 seconds
55
Explain Test Mode
- Lowers alarm priority during field testing, calibration or short term maintenance
- lasts 2 hours
- is not an override because it has a return to normal function
- shows in white box with a TM
56
Explain Downgrades
- Lowers priority during known hydraulic/ transient conditions
- VBAL lasts 2 hours
- ROC lasts 60 minutes
- is not an override
- Requires Supervisor notification within 10 minutes
57
Explain VBAL ZEROING
- Removes LO or LOLO setting
- IS considered an override
- ONLY Supervisors can perform
- Requires CPM Outage report and must be documented and discussed at turnover
58
Explain Deactivation
- Required to minimize alarms caused by malfunctioning device or long term maintenance
- Is Safety Related and requires a Supervisor to perform
59
Explain Off-Scan
- Facility down with extensive maintenance
- Data does not update
- Is considered an Override
- non-update condition
60
What is MOP?
The maximum pressure at which a liquid pipeline can be operated
61
Where is the MOP found?
- P&CD
| - PL-1115 or facilities List
62
% at which MOP can not be exceeded
10%
63
Possible causes to reach or exceed MOP?
- Pump Starts/Stops
- Valve changes
- Gravity Changes
- Safety Devices
64
What are the Tank level management devices?
- Analog tank gauge (Varec/Radar)
| - EHH (independent liquid level switch)
65
What is Idle Tank Deviation?
- Evaluates unexpected level/volume deviation in tanks not active
- Evaluated expected movement in active tanks
- Produces a P3 Alarm when detected
66
Tank throughputs/ Countdowns
- A review that is performed hourly (meter throughput, tank volume, tank trends)
- Investigate discrepancies, possibly notify field personnel
- Countdowns to track daily volumes, calculate fill/ empty times and permit violations
67
What is CPM
Computational Pipeline Monitoring
68
VBAL
One hour Over/Short
69
What is Over Short
Deliveries- Receipts= Over Short
70
How often is VBAL calculated?
every 60 seconds
71
Designed to catch what type of leak?
Catches a small release over time
72
What is MBAL?
Modified Volume Balance
- Enhancement to VBAL of DLF
- Uses pressure and temperature data
- Generates P1 and P2 Alarms
73
What is DTA?
Dynamic Threshold Adjustment
| - VBAL becomes less sensitive during transient conditions (pump starts/stops, valve changes)
74
When does Questionable VBAL occur?
During Non-update conditions
75
What is ROC?
Rate of Change
76
What is the signature of a release?
Upstream Flow INCREASE
Upstream Pressure DECREASE
Downstream Flow DECREASE
Downstream Pressure DECREASE (optional)
77
What type of release is ROC designed to catch?
A Large Release Quickly
78
How often is ROC Calculated?
Every Scan (15 seconds)
79
Type of Alarm generated by ROC?
Generates a P1 Alarm
80
Shift Turnover Documentation includes?
- Safety Concerns
- Emergency/ Abnormal Conditions
- NOC's
- Maintenance
If accepted LATE, it is documented under Safety Concerns "Other"
81
What are the CAT Tasks;
Weekly
Quarterly
Yearly
Weekly: Phone Tests
Quarterly: LFI Reviews
Yearly: Operations Procedure Manual
Fatigue Modules
