Platform Alarming Through Multiple Agencies

The offshore oil and gas industry strives to make every process safe for operators and employees. Unfortunately, it is not inconceivable that dangerous life-threatening conditions present themselves. Should an undesirable condition occur, it is ultimately the operator's responsibility to ensure that personnels are notified, and steps are taken to convey this alert for appropriate action. While some incidents require little intervention, others may escalate to a call for evacuation of the facility. From process upsets to fire and gas detection alarm events to facility abandonment, it is essential that employees are notified in a clear, timely, and effective manor. The most prominent method in use today of facility-wide notification is an alarm broadcast over the public-address system in conjunction with associated visual and audible alarm devices. When a public-address system is tasked to perform this additional function, requirements for design, application, and installation then become regulatory and compliance issues.