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