Alarms / Overview
Introduction
One of NoveStar's most important features is its ability to detect and announce alarm conditions. New data values stored in the database are checked against alarm criteria assigned to each data point included in an alarm group. Non-status points are typically checked for upper and lower limits, and rise and fall rates of change. Each line of a status sensor data report is tested for a status state or a change in state. NovaStar can also monitor a data reporting time limit, so that if new data is not stored in the database within the limit, the point meets an alarm condition.
Alarms are configured in NovaStar using alarm groups to allow inputs from similar sensors to be evaluated for alarm conditions. For example, an alarm group could be defined that includes maximum rate-of-change criteria for stage sensors throughout a monitored area. In NovaStar, the criteria that qualify data for alarm activation are called alarm triggers. An alarm group can include more than one alarm trigger. Additionally, when an alarm condition is triggered, NovaStar can be configured to take any number of associated alarm actions intended to alert appropriate personnel to the alarm condition.
This one-to-many relationship is depicted in the following image.
Alarm Relationship (see full-size image)
Notification of an alarm condition can occur by phone, email, text, etc.
Alarm Configuration
TriLynx recommends configuring alarms by working in the reverse order of the Alarm Relationship image above.
Step 1: Create alarm contacts
Step 2: Create alarm actions.
Step 3: Create alarm triggers.
Step 4: Create alarm groups.
Step 4a: Assign points to alarm group
Step 4b: Assign triggers to alarm group
Alarm Activation
When an alarm trigger is met on a point, all the groups associated with that point and trigger are notified. The action assigned to that event are taken, alerting contacts of the condition.
Alarm Activation (see full-size image)
Alarm Deactivation
Alarms in NovaStar have associated alarm states, not all of which are mutually exclusive. At the most basic level, NovaStar alarms are either active or off. When a data report meets an alarm group's criteria, the alarm is activated. The alarm remains active until it is BOTH acknowledged and reset, at which time the alarm state returns to off.
Alarm Reset
The reset is an automatic operation, independent of acknowledgement, and occurs when data report values meet the criteria that have been established for reset during alarm configuration. Therefore, a precipitation alarm remains active for as long as the precipitation values are above the alarm criteria for precipitation and the NovaStar alarm database table correctly accounts for the duration of the alarm condition associated with database values.
Alarm Reset (see full-size image)
Alarm Acknowledgement
Acknowledging the alarm suspends NovaStar's alarm actions related to the alarm condition. Note that the alarm remains active until it is reset. This prevents NovaStar's alarm actions from becoming a nuisance after appropriate personnel are aware of an alarm condition. The below image depicts the independent function of the acknowledgement and reset processes for alarm deactivation.
Deactivate Alarm (see full-size image)
Alarm Disable Options
It is possible to disable alarms to prevent new active alarms from initiating alarm actions that could become a nuisance during an emergency, for example, as widespread precipitation triggers alarms at one station after another. When alarms are disabled, NovaStar's data checking for alarm criteria continues and new alarms are logged in the database without starting new alarm actions. Data will still be logged in the database and available for review and response planning, but once an active alarm condition has been acknowledged, it is potentially unhelpful for NovaStar to continue alarm actions related to new active alarms.
Clicking on Alarms/Alarm List or using the alarm quick button (labeled "No Active Alarms" or "Active Alarms") displays the Alarm List. The alarm status is shown at the top of the page. In the image below, alarms have been disabled and the date upon which alarms will be activated. Clicking on Manage System Alarms -> System Configuration button displays the System Configuration List with alarms_enable already selected. The alternative is to click System/Configuration List and select alarms_enable.
Deactivate Alarm (see full-size image)
On the System/Configuration List with alarms_enable selected, set Enabled to false and select the date upon which alarms should resume in the Options. Click Save.
Deactivate Alarm in Configurations (see full-size image)
For more information, see the Alarm List page.
The Alarm menu provides sub-menus for data related to alarms, including: