Decision making under uncertainty in the alarm systems response

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an advanced decision-making support for the appropriate responding to critical alarms in the hazardous industrial facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is suggested by considering three alternatives and four criteria using triangular fuzzy numbers to handle the associated uncertainty. A logarithmic fuzzy preference programming (LFPP)-based nonlinear priority method is employed to analyze the suggested model.

Findings

A quantitative decision-making support is not only a necessity in responding to critical alarms but also easy to implement even in a relatively short reaction time. Confirmation may not be the appropriate option to deal with a critical alarm, even with the availability of the needed resources.

Practical implications

A situation related to a flammable gas alarm in a gas plant is treated using the developed model showing its practical efficiency and practicality.

Originality/value

The proposed model provides a rational, simple and holistic fuzzy multi criteria tool with a refined number of criteria and alternatives using an LFPP method to handle process alarms.

Citation

Si Mohammed, A., Smail, R. and Chebila, M. (2020), "Decision making under uncertainty in the alarm systems response", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 37 No. 8, pp. 1151-1161. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-03-2019-0078