Design of Usable Alarm Systems.

Paper in proceeding, 2007

Alarm systems are essential aids for safe and efficient operation of many industrial settings. However, to design usable alarm systems, consideration needs to be taken to the human operator. This paper summarises important design guidelines to consider when developing alarm systems. The results show that the most important guidelines to adhere to are: (1) consistency within the alarm system, and between the alarm system and the overall control system, (2) the need to use an alarm definition and an alarm philosophy, and (3) is to start the human factors work early in the design process for success.