PTQ Q3 2025 Issue

Phase D: Detailed design Phase E: Operational feedback

Design process

Objectives

Phase A: Clarication Phase B: Analysis and denition Phase C: Concept design

Machine hard and soft

Human

Operation and management

Figure 3 Gaps and differences in console operator body size

Feedback process iteration

Environment

overall workstation design) may have been purchased and assumed to appropriately accommodate operators between 5ft and 6ft 3in in height (see Figure 3 ). One of the observed gaps is the recommendation for the adoption of a lifecycle model for management of the con- trol room. How often does an operating facility evaluate the effectiveness of the console operator and control room environment? Additional guidance on control room design can be found in the latest revision of the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association EEMUA 201 guidelines. This tends to be a more practical guide that can be used to sup- plement the ISO 11064 approach. This guideline also pro- vides some information on HMI design, as does part 5 of the ISO standard. Although not often referenced, API RP-1113 is also available, providing a list of considerations for pipeline control room design that can be a useful checklist. More specifically related to the design of the HMI are the ANSI/ISA-101.01 and IEC 63303 standards. The more recent IEC standard was developed based on the ISA stand- ard. However, there are some very significant differences, perhaps most importantly the substantial increase in the mandatory requirements of the standard (79 vs the origi- nal 8). For those in the pipeline industry, there is also API RP-1165, which has been significantly updated to make it more in line with accepted best practices. Again, a problem with the standards is that they pro- vide very few examples of display design. However, the ISA standard has a growing set of technical reports that supplement the standard. In particular, ISA TR101.02 ‘HMI Usability and Performance’ provides some good examples, as does the API recommended practice. A big gap, in the author’s opinion, is a good set of examples for true level 1 displays. Perhaps the most important requirements of the standards are the system standards and the adoption of a lifecycle approach to HMI system management. Figure 4 is from the ISA standard. Alarm management is well served by standards, most importantly the ANSI/ISA-18.02 and equivalent IEC 62682 standards. As with the HMI standard, the ISA alarm manage- ment standard is supported by a set of excellent technical reports that aid implementation of the standard. The stand- ards also provide guidance on the adoption of a lifecycle model as a framework for managing the alarm management

Figure 2 Ergonomic approach to system designs

benchmark your facility to uncover gaps in compliance and performance. For example, the HMI-related operator perfor- mance standards are American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Society of Automation ISA-101.01 and International Electrotechnical Commission IEC-63303. Industry standards and guidelines One of the issues everyone faces when they start looking at operator performance initiatives, projects, or programmes is ‘what does good look like?’. Although not necessarily the complete picture, there are standards and guidelines that can help. No set of standards covers everything, but a good place to start is the international control room standard International Organization for Standardization ISO 11064. This eight-part standard covers the entire lifecycle of control room design from cradle to full maturity. This is not a ‘control room for dummies’ standard, but its strength is a well-de- fined process, as illustrated in Figure 2 . Following the process and recommendations in parts of the standard will go a long way to ensuring that important aspects of the design are not forgotten. What the standard does not do is give examples of best practices. Unfortunately, refiners will find many consulting companies and vendors citing this standard with little understanding of the principles behind it. How many times have pictures been displayed on social media depicting state-of-the-art control rooms? People comment that they are ‘amazing’ or ‘look great’. However, frequently they feature lots of large screen displays with bad ergonomics and information that is just a set of fancy objects and key performance indicators (KPIs), which oper- ations could not care less about. The ISO 11064 standard references the ergonomic standard ISO 924, which provides more detailed guidance specifically about the physical ergo - nomics of the workstation. Some of the more important issues discussed in this doc- ument include lighting, noise control, traffic management, and operator comfort. Consider the differences in console operator body size. However, one type of chair (part of the

PTQ Q3 2025