Control Room Management Compliance Calendar (49 CFR 192.631 & 195.446)
PHMSA's control room management regulations (49 CFR 192.631 for gas and 195.446 for hazardous liquids) require pipeline operators to implement comprehensive programs covering controller workload, alarm management, fatigue mitigation, SCADA verification, shift handover procedures, abnormal operating condition response, and controller training. Each element carries specific review, documentation, and update requirements on annual, monthly, and event-driven cycles.
Our DOT Pipeline Safety Software includes dedicated Control Room Management tools and a Compliance Calendar that ensure every CRM requirement is scheduled, documented, and audit-ready. Track workload studies, alarm performance metrics, controller logs, shift handover records, and fatigue plan reviews all from a single platform.
Key Control Room Compliance Deadlines
Controller Workload Study
Conduct or update controller workload assessment per 192.631(a)/195.446(a) and API RP 1168. Evaluate console staffing levels, task loading, and ensure controllers can monitor and respond to all pipeline segments safely. Document findings and corrective actions.
Alarm Rationalization Review
Review and verify alarm set points, alarm descriptions, and alarm priority assignments at least annually per 192.631(c)/195.446(c). Rationalize alarms to ensure each alarm requires a defined controller response and is not nuisance or standing.
Alarm Performance Analysis
Analyze alarm metrics monthly per API RP 1167 best practices. Track alarm rates per controller per hour, identify top repeating alarms, monitor standing alarms, document alarm flood events, and trend alarm performance over time.
Fatigue Mitigation Plan Review
Review and update the controller fatigue mitigation plan per 192.631(d)/195.446(d). Evaluate shift schedules, maximum hours of service, rest period requirements, circadian factors, overtime patterns, and fatigue education effectiveness.
Controller Training & Qualification
Verify controller training and qualification per 192.631(h)/195.446(h). Ensure controllers are trained on CRM plan content, operating procedures, abnormal operating conditions, alarm response, emergency procedures, and SCADA system operation. Document training completion.
Shift Handover Documentation
Document shift handover communications per 192.631(a)/195.446(a). Record pipeline status, active alarms, ongoing operations, abnormal conditions, open work permits, pending maintenance activities, and any critical information for incoming controllers.
SCADA Point-to-Point Verification
Conduct SCADA point-to-point verifications per 192.631(b)/195.446(b). Verify that field instrument signals are correctly received, displayed, and recorded by the SCADA system. Maintain verification schedules for new installations, modifications, and periodic revalidation.
Abnormal Operating Condition Review
Document and review each abnormal operating condition (AOC) per 192.631(e)/195.446(e). Analyze controller response, identify contributing factors, implement corrective actions, and share lessons learned through the operating experience review process.
Operating Experience Review
Review operating experience data per 192.631(f)/195.446(f) including incidents, near-misses, abnormal conditions, and lessons learned from the operator and industry. Distribute findings to controllers and update procedures as needed.
CRM Plan Review & Update
Review the overall control room management plan annually per 192.631/195.446. Verify the plan reflects current operations, organizational changes, lessons learned, and industry best practices. Document revisions and communicate changes to controllers.
Operating Procedure Review
Review and update control room operating procedures per 192.631(g)/195.446(g). Ensure procedures are current, accessible to controllers, and cover normal operations, abnormal conditions, and emergency response.
Compliance Validation
Conduct compliance validation per 192.631(i)/195.446(i). Verify that control room operations conform to the written CRM plan and that all required records are being maintained. Document findings and corrective actions.
CRM Regulatory Elements
Roles & Responsibilities
Define controller duties, ensure adequate staffing, conduct workload assessments, prevent task overload
Adequate Information
SCADA point-to-point verification, display accuracy, field device signal integrity
Alarm Management
Rationalization, performance metrics, standing/nuisance alarm reduction, flood response per API RP 1167
Fatigue Mitigation
Hours of service limits, shift scheduling, rest periods, circadian factors, fatigue education
Change Management
Assess control room impacts of pipeline and SCADA changes, update displays, alarms, and procedures
Operating Experience
Collect, review, and distribute lessons learned from incidents, near-misses, and AOCs
Training
Controller qualification, CRM plan training, emergency response drills, abnormal condition recognition
Compliance Validation
Annual self-assessment, corrective action tracking, deviation documentation and resolution
Software Features for Control Room Compliance
Workload Study Tracking
Schedule and document annual controller workload assessments with automated reminders and historical trend analysis.
Alarm Management Dashboard
Track alarm rationalization status, monitor monthly alarm performance metrics, and flag alarm rates exceeding industry benchmarks.
Fatigue Plan Management
Track controller hours, shift schedules, overtime patterns, and fatigue plan review dates with compliance monitoring.
Shift Handover Logging
Structured digital shift handover forms capturing pipeline status, active alarms, open operations, and critical information for audit-ready records.
AOC Tracking & Analysis
Document abnormal operating conditions, controller responses, corrective actions, and operating experience distribution.
Controller Training Records
Track controller training completion, qualification dates, requalification intervals, and CRM plan training requirements.
Document Control
Manage CRM plan revisions, operating procedures, and compliance records with version-controlled document management.
Mobile App
Access controller logs, shift records, and AOC reports from any device with our mobile app.
