 |
 |
 |
|
|
Swinton Technology is recognized as the leading metering computer system upgrade Specialist.
Swinton Technology offers a unique Metering Computer System Upgrade Project Front End Engineering Design (FEED) service as a consequence of our extensive metering computer system expertise - including a wide variety of architectures and technologies and our ability to design and develop innovative products that facilitate such upgrades.
The proposed solutions identified by Swinton Technology often differ from those considered by our customers, competitors and supposed expert Engineering Companies. Swinton Technology upgrade philosophy is usually based upon performing as much Engineering work as possible prior to visiting site in order to minimize the Engineering work to be performed on site, and hence significantly reducing cost, risk and shutdown time. Swinton Technology's approaches frequently enable systems to be upgraded without the need for an associated plant shutdown - often when others had considered that a plant shutdown was inevitable.
Swinton Technology's FEED services typically include a site visit to assess the associated system, in particular the following:
- Assess the condition of the panel(s) and establish whether they should be retained - either to house the new equipment or to be utilized as marshalling racks with connections to a new panel.
- Assess the additional space available for equipment, if applicable.
- Establish the required system functionality - not necessarily just a repeat of the existing system - additional features may be of benefit and existing functionality may no longer be required
- Obsolescence review of panel equipment - including power supply units, barriers, isolators, relays etc.
- Establish the panel sundry items that will be required in order to complete the system upgrade - including panel face plates etc.
- Establish the third party communications interfaces to the system - including protocols and associated data content
- Establish the potential approaches to be adopted during the system changeover
All of the above issues would be addressed within a comprehensive FEED Report.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Following high profile incidents at Texaco Milford Haven (1994) and The Channel Tunnel (1996) there has been significant interest in the subject of Alarm Management, in particular by HSE. The inadequacy of the Alarm Management Systems on both of these systems contributed significantly to these incidents.
An Alarm Management guideline was raised by the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA 191) in 1999 and is now considered to be the definitive Alarm Management reference document. Although legislation does not call for adherence with EEMUA 191, it can be considered to be a requirement based upon the ALARP principle of adopting best practices.
Many systems are operating in a manner that requires them to be compliant with IEC 61508, however it is either not possible or practical to make them compliant, and in addition there are significant costs associated with operating in accordance with IEC 61508. By adopting appropriate Alarm Management mechanisms the requirement for systems to be compliant to IEC 61508 can be avoided.
With 15 years experience in Control Systems Integration, and having provided Alarm Management consultancy services since 2001, Swinton Technology personnel have a wealth of experience and are able to provide practical and cost effective consultancy services. Swinton Technology recognises the need for site personnel to play an active role in any Alarm Management improvement programme as they are the ones that have the detailed knowledge and understanding of their plant.
Swinton Technology offer consultancy services to:
- Audit current system Alarm Management performance
- Identify required Alarm Management improvements
- Introduce automated Alarm Management system performance monitoring tools
- Provide Alarm Management training
- Develop an appropriate system / site Alarm Management philosophy
- Develop an Alarm Management improvement plan / programme
- Develop an alarm database containing all data associated with each alarm
- Develop an Alarm Management website for the system / site
- Assist and / or manage alarm rationalisation, re-categorisation and general improvement reviews
- Assist in the implementation of the Alarm Management improvement programme
- Development auditing procedures that enable continuous improvement
- Project manage Alarm Management projects
An Alarm Management data sheet is available in the download area of our website.
|
|
|
|
