LORA: an alarm handling software package

Illustrates how the LORA (Logical Reduction of Alarms) software package implements the technique of alarm handling. Since alarm handling requires the recognition of plant state it is possible to generate status alarms which can provide some limited fault diagnosis of the plant. LORA's speed makes it possible to provide a continuous real-time picture of the plant to the operator. In addition, the entry of plant information follows a logical format which is easy to learn for the experienced technician; therefore entry of the database for the plant is efficient and does not use the time of valuable staff unnecessarily. Its entry should also be controlled by appropriate quality and change control procedures. The possible benefits of using LORA are: rationalisation of existing alarm and annunciator systems; improved plant productivity; reduced process downtime; reduced operator stress; and lower control room manning.