Monitoring the Main Control Panels

DOE-STD-1042-93

4.3 Monitoring the Main Control Panels

Control area personnel monitor instrumentation and control panels to ensure that the

facility is operating safely. They should be alert and attentive to indications and alarms.

Control panel indications should be frequently scanned, with emphasis on trending, to

detect problem situations early. Prompt action should be taken to determine the cause

of abnormalities and correct the problem situation.

Facilities should develop procedures that dictate alarm response actions. Response to

alarms should be timely. Control area personnel should inform the lead control area

person of each alarm and take actions to identify and correct its cause(s). All

reasonable action should be taken to clear alarming conditions. The abnormal

conditions resulting from the alarm should be monitored more frequently until they

have returned to normal.

Instrumentation and control panel indications should be monitored with increased

frequency during evolutions that affect them. When the indications stabilize,

monitoring frequency can return to normal. The number of evolutions affecting

instrumentation and control panel indications performed concurrently should be limited

so that personnel can detect and respond to abnormal conditions appropriately. If

necessary, the lead control area person should stop one or more of the evolutions or

assign additional personnel to assist in monitoring. The lead control area person should

ensure that monitoring of non-affected indications continues during these situations.

If computer or automated monitoring and control systems are used, they should be

monitored for proper operation. In addition, manual response should backup these

systems. For example, if a variable exceeds an action setpoint and the action does not

occur, personnel should initiate manual action. It must be understood in these cases,

control area personnel still have the responsibility to monitor and control facility

operation.