Common Mode Failure is a Failure causing coincident failures in multiple systems on two or more separate channels in a redundancy system, leading to system failure. This state may result from one or more failure events. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Common Mode Failure Common Mode Failure is a Failure causing coincident failures in multiple systems on two or more separate channels in a redundancy system, leading to system failure. This state may result from one or more failure events. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

Optimizing Fuel Air Operation Combustion Control Systems - Automation Application Optimizing Fuel Air Operation aeSolutions' family of products includes industrial Combustion Control Systems in several packages. The pre-engineered packages are configurable to meet the client's operational requirements. The CCS is readily configured to implement a variety of fuel-saving optimization techniques, including fully metered / cross-limited fuel air control with oxygen trim, and interfacing to a wide variety of field sensors, analyzers, and valves. The CCS is often supplied as an integrated Combustion Management System package, which includes an aeSolutions BMS for safe startup, shutdown, and interlocking. • Graphical HMI common to CCS and BMS • Alarming, tuning, and diagnostic displays • Communications to BMS and DCS • Multiple fuel optimization • Cross-limiting, Oxygen trim • Boilers, heaters, dryers, thermal oxidizers • Combustion Management Engineering Automation Services Previous Next

The cause of failure is the specific reason or condition that leads to the malfunction or breakdown of a system, component, or process. Identifying the cause of failure is essential for implementing corrective actions and improving reliability. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Cause of Failure The cause of failure is the specific reason or condition that leads to the malfunction or breakdown of a system, component, or process. Identifying the cause of failure is essential for implementing corrective actions and improving reliability. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

A substance possessing toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive properties. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Highly Hazardous Chemical (HHC) A substance possessing toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive properties. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

Area classification is the process of determining and designating specific zones within a facility where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts may be present, potentially leading to hazardous conditions. These classified areas help guide safety measures and equipment installation, ensuring compliance with safety standards and reducing the risk of explosions or fires. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Area Classification Area classification is the process of determining and designating specific zones within a facility where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts may be present, potentially leading to hazardous conditions. These classified areas help guide safety measures and equipment installation, ensuring compliance with safety standards and reducing the risk of explosions or fires. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

An audible and/or visible means of indicating to the operator an equipment malfunction, process deviation, or abnormal condition requiring a response. aeSolutions can supply expertise at all stages of alarm management including consulting, training, and facilitating rationalization teams, followed by full design and implementation services. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Alarm An audible and/or visible means of indicating to the operator an equipment malfunction, process deviation, or abnormal condition requiring a response. aeSolutions can supply expertise at all stages of alarm management including consulting, training, and facilitating rationalization teams, followed by full design and implementation services. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

NFPA 87 is the standard from the National Fire Protection Association that provides safety guidance for fluid heaters and related equipment to minimized fire and explosion hazards that can endanger the equipment, building, or personnel. A piece of equipment is considered to be a fluid heater if it includes any of the following features: fluid is flowing under pressure, fluid is indirectly heated, and/or a release of energy from combustion of a fuel or an electrical source occurs within the unit. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions NFPA 87 NFPA 87 is the standard from the National Fire Protection Association that provides safety guidance for fluid heaters and related equipment to minimized fire and explosion hazards that can endanger the equipment, building, or personnel. A piece of equipment is considered to be a fluid heater if it includes any of the following features: fluid is flowing under pressure, fluid is indirectly heated, and/or a release of energy from combustion of a fuel or an electrical source occurs within the unit. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

Our system design services include developing wiring plans, functional test plans, factory acceptance and site acceptance test plans (FAT/SAT Plans).  During the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) we confirm that all aspects of the control system are in full compliance with the final design documentation. Gas detection compliance  toxic gas detection and toxic gas monitoring Fire and Toxic & Combustible Gas - Detailed Engineering aeSolutions utilizes first-hand industry experience to design clients' Fire and Gas Systems to the latest FM Approved standards. Our system design services include developing wiring plans, functional test plans, factory acceptance and site acceptance test plans and facilitation(FAT/SAT Plans). During the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) we confirm that all aspects of the control system are in full compliance with the final design documentation. Written Narrative Riser Diagram Floor Plan Layout Sequence of Operation Field Design Deliverables Manufacturer’s Published Instructions Battery Calculations Voltage Drop Calculations Detector Final Placement End Device Selection I/O Assignment Panel Design Architecture Block Diagram Cable Schedule / Cable Block Diagrams Detailed Design Deliverables Installation Details for End Devices Engineering and Design calculations Completion Test Forms HMI screen requirements Installation Support Fire & Gas Products NRTL Approved Fire Panels NRTL Approved Power Supplies NRTL Approved Proprietary Supervisor Stations Ensure toxic gas detection Ongoing Maintenance Training - to Operate, Maintain, and More Fire & Gas Lifecycle Services Contact Us

The Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) (clause 10 of ISA/IEC 61511) takes the results of the hazard and risk assessments and defines the requirements of the Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) that have to be performed by the Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS). aeSolutions is qualified with Certified Functional Safety Experts to quantify process hazard risks and develop the Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) for a process. The SRS is an input to the SIS design process but not all of the required information is available when design starts. Our SIS Specialists have configuration, instrumentation, and operations experience, allowing them specify feasible solutions to complex SIF implementation problems. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) The Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) (clause 10 of ISA/IEC 61511) takes the results of the hazard and risk assessments and defines the requirements of the Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) that have to be performed by the Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS). aeSolutions is qualified with Certified Functional Safety Experts to quantify process hazard risks and develop the Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) for a process. The SRS is an input to the SIS design process but not all of the required information is available when design starts. Our SIS Specialists have configuration, instrumentation, and operations experience, allowing them specify feasible solutions to complex SIF implementation problems. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

Alarm System Rationalization and Safe Operating Limit for Energy Production A current client was adding a new energy production unit with an innovative process to an existing site and wanted to ensure the new design incorporated the site’s existing alarm management practices that were previously set up by the aeSolutions alarm management team. Challenge Established facilities have the benefit of historical operating trends and data during a rationalization session to recognize whether setpoints are effective and which alarms might give troubles. Without any data to fall back on for the process with newfound sciences, however, the alarm program and rationalization process based alarm setpoints; on cause and effects, the site’s PHA, and research-based engineering design for this new innovative technology. Setting up an alarm system for the new energy production unit with no real operating experience required relying on good engineering practices and experience. The alarm rationalization sessions required very proficient engineers, instrumentation personnel, and senior-level operators to ensure a knowledge base strong enough to appropriately identify alarms and the actions to be taken. A heavily experienced and technical team was necessary to understand the process hazards and responses to those hazards. The project timeliness also presented challenges to meet all the schedule deadlines of the multiple vendors involved. There was a higher sense of urgency for the new energy production unit with reduced timeline flexibility as the alarm system needed to be completed prior to startup. Solution aeSolutions organized and facilitated team meetings to capture process knowledge and hazard identification with adherence to industry guidelines and standards. An engagement meeting was performed where previously developed templates were applied and new templates specific to the energy production unit were developed prior to the alarm rationalization activities. During the alarm rationalization meetings, a checklist of specific questions was analyzed and documented for each unique alarm. The questions generated team discussion on alarm basis (e.g., setpoint, response time, etc.), characteristics (class, attributes, etc.), and whether alarms met the definition of the alarm specified in the alarm philosophy. Effective alarm points were established to mitigate identified hazards and inefficiencies for increased safety, environmental, and operability of the site. Results The new energy production unit had a completed master alarm database able to be imported into the site’s alarm management software. The master alarm database included all ISA 18.2 required information as well as the site-specific alarm response requirements for the process. The alarm data deliverables had the ability to be converted and uploaded into the client’s existing alarm management software to provide consistency from previous rationalization activities. Although the new energy production unit had an unfamiliar cutting-edge process, basic alarm management principles were effectively applied to effectively guide the team to a successful product. Learn more about how aeSolutions could help you with a similar alarm project. Industry: Green Energy Geography: Southwest Unit Operation: Alarm Rationalization, Alarm Management Previous Story Next Story

The graphic model of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a type of failure analysis in which an undesirable condition of a system is explored. By use of Boolean logic, a Fault Tree Diagram shows the logical interrelation of events that, taken apart or together, may lead to a system or device failure. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Fault Tree Diagram The graphic model of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a type of failure analysis in which an undesirable condition of a system is explored. By use of Boolean logic, a Fault Tree Diagram shows the logical interrelation of events that, taken apart or together, may lead to a system or device failure. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.

Failure related in a deterministic way to a certain cause, which can only be eliminated by a modification of the design or of the manufacturing process, operational procedures, documentation, or other relevant factors. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Systematic Failure Failure related in a deterministic way to a certain cause, which can only be eliminated by a modification of the design or of the manufacturing process, operational procedures, documentation, or other relevant factors. Our Services Whitepaper: Achieving 84-92% Urgent Alarm Reduction Through Comprehensive Lifecycle Implementation: A Dual-Unit Midstream Case Study Awarded Best Paper Award at the 2025 TEES Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center-TAMU (MKO) Safety & Risk Conference Abstract November 2025 — Greg Pajak, aeSolutions Senior Specialist, ICA — A midstream facility implemented a systematic alarm rationalization program across two critical units, achieving unprecedented reductions in urgent alarm loads. Unit A reduced urgent alarms from 45% to 7% (84% reduction), while Unit B decreased from 62% to 5% (92% reduction). This paper Scoping Your Industrial Project: Best Practices for Success Scoping your industrial project is more than a kickoff step—it’s the foundation for budget, schedule, and long-term success. From aligning stakeholders to pressure-testing assumptions, a dynamic scoping strategy helps prevent costly missteps, manage risks, and keep your project on track from concept to completion. Control System Migrations | Part 7 | Best Practices for Installation, Testing, & Commissioning The cutover phase is the defining moment of a control system migration, where planning meets execution. From thorough backups and pre-shutdown prep to mechanical completion and commissioning, every step must be precise. Skipping even small details can lead to costly setbacks, while disciplined execution ensures a smooth, successful transition.