Zero-Energy State (ZES) refers to a condition where all energy sources to a system or equipment have been isolated, and stored energy has been dissipated. ZES is essential for ensuring the safety of personnel during maintenance or repair activities. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Zero-Energy State (ZES) Zero-Energy State (ZES) refers to a condition where all energy sources to a system or equipment have been isolated, and stored energy has been dissipated. ZES is essential for ensuring the safety of personnel during maintenance or repair activities. 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.

The use of control systems and information technologies, such as computer software, for handling processes and equipment used in various industries. aeSolutions' industrial automation services supply complete, fabricated, configured, and tested safety and control systems, including Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS), Systems Integration, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Burner Management Systems (BMS), High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS), and Fire and Gas Systems (FGS). The result is a totally integrated automation lifecycle, from project inception to operation. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Industrial Automation The use of control systems and information technologies, such as computer software, for handling processes and equipment used in various industries. aeSolutions' industrial automation services supply complete, fabricated, configured, and tested safety and control systems, including Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS), Systems Integration, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Burner Management Systems (BMS), High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS), and Fire and Gas Systems (FGS). The result is a totally integrated automation lifecycle, from project inception to operation. 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 Emergency Shutdown System (ESD) is a safety system designed to rapidly shut down processes or equipment in response to unsafe conditions, such as a gas leak or fire. ESD systems are crucial for preventing accidents, limiting damage, and protecting personnel. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Emergency Shutdown System (ESD) An Emergency Shutdown System (ESD) is a safety system designed to rapidly shut down processes or equipment in response to unsafe conditions, such as a gas leak or fire. ESD systems are crucial for preventing accidents, limiting damage, and protecting personnel. 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.

Software and hardware that allows human operators to monitor the state of a process under control, modify control settings to change the control objective, and manually override automatic control operations in the event of an emergency. The HMI also allows a control engineer or operator to configure set points or control algorithms and parameters in the controller. The HMI also displays process status information, historical information, reports, and other information to operators, administrators, managers, business partners, and other authorized users. Operators and engineers use HMIs to monitor and configure set points, control algorithms, send commands, and adjust and establish parameters in the controller. aeSolutions designs and configures human machine interfaces for control and safety systems. HMI varieties range from DCS vendors' hefty client-server systems to small touch screens engineered with special purpose panels. aeSolutions also develops alarm management philosophies which include HMI design guidance; a facility's various alarms and alert states are properly managed and prioritized to help operators maintain situational awareness. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Human Machine Interface (HMI) Software and hardware that allows human operators to monitor the state of a process under control, modify control settings to change the control objective, and manually override automatic control operations in the event of an emergency. The HMI also allows a control engineer or operator to configure set points or control algorithms and parameters in the controller. The HMI also displays process status information, historical information, reports, and other information to operators, administrators, managers, business partners, and other authorized users. Operators and engineers use HMIs to monitor and configure set points, control algorithms, send commands, and adjust and establish parameters in the controller. aeSolutions designs and configures human machine interfaces for control and safety systems. HMI varieties range from DCS vendors' hefty client-server systems to small touch screens engineered with special purpose panels. aeSolutions also develops alarm management philosophies which include HMI design guidance; a facility's various alarms and alert states are properly managed and prioritized to help operators maintain situational awareness. 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 management is a process to increase operator efficiency by decreasing workload, errors and uncertainty. It typically consists of designing an alarm philosophy, rationalizing alarms, implementing rationalization results, and monitoring and auditing alarm system performance and procedures. aeSolutions' integrated approach can supply expertise for all stages of the alarm management lifecycle specializing in: - Philosophy development - Gap assessment of current alarm philosophy - Alarm management and rationalization training - Facilitation of alarm rationalizations - Including our alarm rationalization tool, aeAlarm™​ - Alarm management program gap assessment Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Alarm Management Alarm management is a process to increase operator efficiency by decreasing workload, errors and uncertainty. It typically consists of designing an alarm philosophy, rationalizing alarms, implementing rationalization results, and monitoring and auditing alarm system performance and procedures. aeSolutions' integrated approach can supply expertise for all stages of the alarm management lifecycle specializing in: - Philosophy development - Gap assessment of current alarm philosophy - Alarm management and rationalization training - Facilitation of alarm rationalizations - Including our alarm rationalization tool, aeAlarm™ - Alarm management program gap assessment 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.

Testing and Turnover Site Acceptance Testing and Startup Testing and Turnover After the control system and I/O have been installed and commissioned, aeSolutions works with the client to deliver Site Acceptance Testing in accordance with aeSolutions' generated SAT plan. SAT is similar to the FAT but includes testing of actual field devices and foreign device interfaces. Site Acceptance Testing proves that the supplied system, including the control logic and operator stations, is interfaced to the field I/O correctly and performs in accordance with the project specifications. aeSolutions offers startup support after the client has accepted the system. • Approved SAT test plan • SAT test results and punch list disposition • Startup assistance support Automation Services Previous Next

Safety Instrumented System is a system of hardware and software controls engineered to perform "specific control functions" in order to prevent or mitigate hazardous events by taking a process to a safe state when predetermined conditions are violated. What and how the system should perform may be determined via HAZOPS (Hazard and operability studies) or LOPA (layers of protection analysis). aeSolutions' engineering specialists will design, configure, test, and install documented Safety Instrumented Systems that verifiably meet the client's Safety Requirements Specifications. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Safety Instrumented System (SIS) Safety Instrumented System is a system of hardware and software controls engineered to perform "specific control functions" in order to prevent or mitigate hazardous events by taking a process to a safe state when predetermined conditions are violated. What and how the system should perform may be determined via HAZOPS (Hazard and operability studies) or LOPA (layers of protection analysis). aeSolutions' engineering specialists will design, configure, test, and install documented Safety Instrumented Systems that verifiably meet the client's Safety Requirements Specifications. 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.

Any device, system, or action that either interrupts the chain of events following an initiating event or that mitigates the consequences. Not all safeguards meet the requirements of an IPL. Safeguards are considered during Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) conducted by aeSolutions' trained facilitators. PHAs help companies identify hazard scenarios that could lead to a release of highly hazardous chemicals that can cause negative impact on people, the environment, and property. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Safeguard Any device, system, or action that either interrupts the chain of events following an initiating event or that mitigates the consequences. Not all safeguards meet the requirements of an IPL. Safeguards are considered during Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) conducted by aeSolutions' trained facilitators. PHAs help companies identify hazard scenarios that could lead to a release of highly hazardous chemicals that can cause negative impact on people, the environment, and property. 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.

Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a structured approach to determining the most effective maintenance strategies for a system or equipment. RCM focuses on maintaining system functionality and preventing failures based on reliability data and analysis. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a structured approach to determining the most effective maintenance strategies for a system or equipment. RCM focuses on maintaining system functionality and preventing failures based on reliability data and analysis. 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.

Mitigation measures are actions or strategies implemented to reduce the severity, frequency, or likelihood of risks and hazards. These measures are essential in managing safety, environmental, and operational risks in various industries. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures are actions or strategies implemented to reduce the severity, frequency, or likelihood of risks and hazards. These measures are essential in managing safety, environmental, and operational risks in various industries. 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 condition during which the alarm rate is greater than the operator can effectively manage. An alarm flood is normally defined to begin when the alarm rate exceeds ten (10) alarms in a ten-minute period and ends when it returns as a reduced alarm rate. 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 Flood A condition during which the alarm rate is greater than the operator can effectively manage. An alarm flood is normally defined to begin when the alarm rate exceeds ten (10) alarms in a ten-minute period and ends when it returns as a reduced alarm rate. 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.

Periodic test performed to detect dangerous hidden failures in a system so that, if necessary, a repair can restore the system to an ""as good as new condition"", or as close as practical to this condition. The goal of a proof test of a SIF is to reveal previously undiagnosed dangerous hardware failures (those failures that would prevent the SIF from reacting to a hazard). Proof test coverage (the fraction of these failures a given proof can reveal) and the interval at which proof tests are conducted are important inputs into determining if a SIF meets its required SIL. Developing a proof test philosophy can provide for consistency in proof test procedures and how they are conducted. aeSolutions' experts have the field experience to discuss the testing requirements, site practices and available technologies to determine and document a comprehensive testing philosophy. We also have a library of proven proof test procedures to choose from when assembling a testing package, and we have the expertise to work with clients to implement effective testing, failure classification, and feedback mechanisms to validate reliability data claimed in Risk Analysis and SIL Verification. Acronyms & Terms Glossary <- More Definitions Proof Test Periodic test performed to detect dangerous hidden failures in a system so that, if necessary, a repair can restore the system to an ""as good as new condition"", or as close as practical to this condition. The goal of a proof test of a SIF is to reveal previously undiagnosed dangerous hardware failures (those failures that would prevent the SIF from reacting to a hazard). Proof test coverage (the fraction of these failures a given proof can reveal) and the interval at which proof tests are conducted are important inputs into determining if a SIF meets its required SIL. Developing a proof test philosophy can provide for consistency in proof test procedures and how they are conducted. aeSolutions' experts have the field experience to discuss the testing requirements, site practices and available technologies to determine and document a comprehensive testing philosophy. We also have a library of proven proof test procedures to choose from when assembling a testing package, and we have the expertise to work with clients to implement effective testing, failure classification, and feedback mechanisms to validate reliability data claimed in Risk Analysis and SIL Verification. 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.