Alarm Status

DOE-STD-1039-93

actions to mitigate the consequences to the facility should be documented. When normal

operations are again permitted, the tracking document or file can be used to evaluate the

event.

4.5 Alarm Status

Reliable, up-to-date information on the status of important processes and systems is

essential to the safe and reliable operation of any facility. Much of this information is

transmitted to the operator by control panel or local panel meters, gauges, alarms, etc.

Checking the status of indicating devices and alarms should be part of each operator's

routine inspection tours (rounds). Performance of operator rounds and response to alarm

actuation are discussed in greater detail in DOE Order 5480.19, Chapter II, "Shift Routines

and Operating Practices."

Alarm systems provide a valuable backup to the operator's monitoring and control of system

status. But, just like the systems they monitor, alarms require periodic maintenance and are

subject to breakdown. It is therefore important that operators know the status of alarms

in their areas of responsibility. Facilities should include within their program for control of

equipment and system status, measures to ensure that personnel are aware of the status of

alarms. The following specific areas should be addressed:

Alarms that are totally disabled should be identified to operators through the tagout

program, if applicable, or through the use of deficiency stickers, color coding of alarm

windows, or other positive means of identification.

Instructions for operating

personnel should be provided to ensure that equipment parameters are more closely

monitored by operators during the period when alarm indication is not available.

Alarms with individual inputs disabled should be identified to operators and

documentation should be available reflecting the changed alarm characteristics.

Additional monitoring of equipment parameters is needed for those items that are not

capable of actuating the alarm. For example, a particular alarm is designed to receive