Alarm and Emergency Response

The informahon systems must detect when the kanban-driven consumption of an item is such that the consolidation center will run out of it before the next planned shipment arrives. This is an alarm situation, calling on consolidation center management to intervene in the supply chain to expedite delivery. Actual shortages are emergencies requiring more drastic action, such as air shipments of parts. 

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In general, the safety of a process relies on multiple layers of protection. The first layer of protection is the process design features. Subsequent layers include control systems, interlocks, safety shutdown systems, protective systems, alarms, and emergency response plans. Inherent safety is a part of all layers of protection however, it is especially directed toward process design features. The best approach to prevent accidents is to add process design features to prevent hazardous situations. An inherently safer plant is more tolerant of operator errors and abnormal conditions. 

Personnel involved in operations and emergency response should be trained in the role of the various safety systems (e.g. F G detection, emergency shutdown, HVAC). The practices for responding to F G alarms should ensure that personnel do not enter known hazardous conditions. 

In addition, each hallway and each room should have an emergency ( panic ) button that will set off an alarm and by-pass the computer-controlled access system on each door. This system allows anyone to enter a laboratory when an emergency occurs that requires immediate assistance, or to leave the laboratory. Because pressing the button triggers a series of events and emergency responses and subverts security, it should only be used for a true emergency. 

In the event of a more serious fire, evacuate the laboratory and activate the nearest fire alarm. Upon their arrival, tell the fire department and emergency response team what hazardous substances are in the laboratory. 

All in-plant and out-of-plant systems are carefully evaluated to ensure plant and emergency response personnel are notified in a timely manner. If fire disables the alarm system, backup systems should be available and employees should know to utilize them. An effective fire plan incorporates as many of the emergency systems into the daily plant operations as possible in order to ensure they are in operational order and personnel are aware of how to use them. 

The typical MAC is of the open contact Break glass type, suitable for Division 1 locations. MACs should be covered with a guard to prevent inadvertent alarm activation. Alternatively, the MAC can be actuated by a pulling action in order to prevent spurious trips caused by someone pushing the button by mistake. The emergency response system should teU the operators and emergency response team which MAC was activated. 

Fire Protection and Emergency Response Equipment Alarms, water tanks, sprinklers, standpipes, hydrants, hoses, self-contained breathing apparatus, automatic valves, horns, phones, radios. 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE 1910.120(b)(4)(iii)(h), SAEETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM 1910.120(e)(7), TRAINING, EMERGENCY RESPONSE 1910.120(1), EMERGENCY RESPONSE 1910.165, EMPLOYEE ALARM SYSTEMS... 

The most important hardware items appeared to be the detectors themselves. The gas detection system gave frequent spurious alarms, and on both platforms the ultraviolet (UV) fire detectors were also prone to spurious activation from distant hot work for example, and had a limited ability to detect real fires. The tmreliability of these systems had a general effect on response time and would, overall, lengthen the time to respond. The second aspect which was related to hardware was fimction and performance testing of the emergency blowdown systems. It is critical that the workers believe the systems will work when required, and this can only be achieved by occasional use or at least fimction testing. 

Overall effectiveness of protective systems and emergency controls. Protective systems, such as alarms, shutdown systems, and emergency controls, are often the keys to incident prevention and timely operator response. Protective systems that are properly designed, tested, and well maintained can reduce the frequency of event occurrence. Conversely, systems that are not tested and maintained may result in a high frequency of event occurrence. 

The exhaust duct of each ventilated containment cabinet must be fitted with an adjustable low flow sensor. Audible and visible alarms must be located near the cabinet, and the silence switch should energize an indicator at the status board. These are local alarms which should not automatically trigger a call for emergency response personnel. 

Stand alone fire or gas detection and alarm panels are normally provided in the main control facility for the installation. Recent trends also incorporate the transmittal of fire and gas alarms through the DCS into the main process alarm real time control panel. When alarm panels are located within a protected building, they should be located for easy access for emergency response personnel and proximity to manual electrical power shut off facilities. 

Warning Device Summary Use warning devices such as radiation alarms, fire alarms, intercom systems, and emergency lighting to warn of potential hazards and identify appropriate emergency response procedures. 

Emergency response personnel assigned to respond to a scene with this equipment should receive training that includes the operational characteristics of the equipment, the operational quantities to be measured, and the risks associated with exposures that correspond to the preset levels of the alarms. 

Failure to promptly report a fire could result in greater damage and, more importantly, could delay warning affected personnel. The alarm and surveillance element of fire prevention triggers emergency response and has a major impact on the control of property losses, safety of personnel, and community impact. Some key components of alarm and surveillance are ... 

At 1 14 p.m., the operator received a radio transmission from the PCC (Process Control Center) informing him that a "low" gas alarm had been received. Immediately, the operator was informed of two more gas alarms. Upon reaching the E l module, the operator noted the sound of gas escaping somewhere inside the production module. At approximately 1 22 p.m. he climbed the stairs to the E l control room and opened the door to check the fire and gas alarm panel which indicated a high gas atmosphere in the production modules. The operator then requested the Emergency Response Team be put on standby and went to inform three contract workers, in the area of the danger. 

Examining possible risk reduction measures to (a) reduce potential consequences, (b) reduce probability of occurrence, (c) improve the initial detection, diagnosis, alert, and alarm systems, (d) improve emergency response, (e) eliminate the hazard... 

On-site population includes not only employees (with specific training for the emergency response team), but also contractors and visitors. Every person who enters a facility should be trained in how to respond to an emergency. In most cases, this involves a simple orientation process to familiarize everyone with the basic hazards that exist at the facility, general emergency recognition, and the facility s responses to alarms. Personnel who work closely with the process and may be instrumental in its control will certainly receive more training as their roles necessitate. 

There are two aspects to emergency communications the actual equipment used to communicate information about the incident and the types of communications or information-sharing required. The RCRA has specific requirements for the types of emergency communication equipment (alarm systems, phone or radio communications) that must be present. Under the EPCRA, facilities must provide information about their operations and substances used or stored on site when the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) or State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) requests it. If the facility uses or stores extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) in reportable quantities, it must appoint a representative to the LEPC. Several laws require that a copy of the ERP be made available to employees and... 

Procedural or operating procedures, for example, operator response to alarms, emergency response procedures, safety rules and standard procedures, training. An example is a confined space entry procedure. 

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