Valve interlocks improve process safety, but challenges may arise through the poor use and lack of operational knowledge of interlocks. Time lost searching for missing keys or taking the wrong one into the field can cause considerable delays. Additionally, with plants becoming more technologically driven, adding a key management system to control mechanical interlocks allows the organization to benefit from valuable data driven insights coming directly from the site.
To support operator efficiency and improve plant performance, Sofis has developed the new Smart key management model. As the most intelligent interlock key management system available on the market, the new Smart model integrates information from across the plant. This will in turn, transform the way valve operations are performed – increasing productivity, providing safer operations, and resulting in significant cost savings.
The Smart model is designed to be a standalone system combining all the functionality of the Store and Sense models. In addition, Smart also allows other features and components, such as HMI (Human Machine Interface) and built-in software, automated key release with multi-level user access, key logging and reporting, supported operator guidance with conditional key release, and local access to documents such as P&IDs and schematics.