Signal Processing
When a signal comes in, stages™ first looks at the Site Device Configuration for an Event Code applied to the point generating the signal. It goes down the list until it finds an event code to apply. If no event code is applied, it will result in the generic “unknown” event code linked to the signal status. Signal Code Default Event Codes should be applied to all signals codes with the higher levels of signal processing used for exceptions. Signal codes are assigned event codes in (Utilities > SignalFormats). Open the signal format to view/edit the event codes.
Action Plan Rule
The chart to the right lists the Action Plan Rule Hierarchy in order from top to bottom. stages™ will start at the top of the list and check for Action Plan rules that match the event. The Action Plans entered in the highest ordered AP Rule will display automatically on the Alarm Dispatch window as the 'Effective Action Plan'. Lower level matches can be seen and switched to with the Action Plan Override function.
Action Plan Rules are entered in multiple locations. In this chart, the Action Plan Rules are arranged by color for where they are entered. In general, the lower level AP Rules should be linked to generic action plans with more specific action plans overriding them higher up the hierarchy.
Site
A Site Specific Action Plan Variation can include a comment similar to "Points: 1,2" which will force a trip on point 1 and 2 to always generate the variation of the Site AP. Site Action Plans are accessed from the Site window opened from Alarm Dispatch or Site Data Entry.
Action Plans can be assigned to points in the Device Configuration windows for Site, Site Group and Device Type. Like signal processing above, the priority is given to Site configuration, then Site Group with both Device Type and Site Type, Site Group with only Device Type, Site Group with only Site Type, Site Group without Device Type and Site Type, and then Device Type. For Sites with multiple Site Groups, the Site Groups will follow the Site Group Type Rule Order to determine the Effective Action Plan. The Device Configuration on the Site Level displays the Effective Action Plan on each point. This will not take into account the Site Specific Action Plan Variation with Point(s) or the Temporary Agency - Service Type AP Rules.
Action Plans can be assigned to a Device, so that all signals for that device will generate an action plan.
Action Plans can be assigned to a Site based on Service Type. These will be overridden by the Device and Device Configuration. Entering no Service Type will apply for all Service Types.
Sites can be assigned to Agencies, Site Groups, a Dispatch Type and a Site Type. These will effect how they are assigned Action Plans.
Agency
Action Plans assigned to Agencies have to include either a Service Type or Dispatch Type or both. Service Types are higher priority than dispatch types.
An Agency AP Rule with a Service Type can include an effective and expire date to make the Rule higher priority. This is used for situations in which the agency has a temporary situation changing their dispatch procedures.
Site Group
Action Plans assigned to Site Groups are either based on Event Code or Service Type. Site Group AP Rules can include Site Types or default to all Site Types.
Device Configuration can be entered on the Site Group level.
The configuration can be set up with a device type and a site type, a device type without site type, site type without device type, and no device type or site type. Like signal processing above, the priority is given to Site configuration, then Site Group with both Device Type and Site Type, Site Group with only Device Type, Site Group with only Site Type, Site Group without Device Type and Site Type, and then Device Type.
For Sites with multiple Site Groups, the Site Groups will follow the Site Group Type Rule Order to determine the Effective Action Plan. The Device Configuration on the Site Level displays the Effective Action Plan on each point. This will not take into account the Site Specific Action Plan Variation with Point(s) or the Temporary Agency - Service Type AP Rules.
Dispatch Type
Action Plan Rules assigned to Dispatch Types with no Site Type will override Service Type (no Dispatch Type and no Service Type). Dispatch Types with a Site Type will be overridden by Service Type (no Dispatch Type and no Service Type).
Event Code
Action Plan Rules assigned to Event Code can include both Dispatch Type and Site Type, only Dispatch Type, only Site Type, or neither. Dispatch Type and Site Type both default to All types when blank.
Event Codes can be assigned to a Service Type. The Service Type can be assigned Action Plan Rules as well to link an action plan to many event codes.
Service Type
Action Plan Rules assigned to Service Type can include both Dispatch Type and Site Type, only Dispatch Type, only Site Type, or neither. Dispatch Type and Site Type both default to All types when blank. Service Types with neither will be overridden by Dispatch Type (no Site Type).
Site Group Type
When a Site has multiple Site Groups and more than one site group has an Action Plan Rule on the matching level of the hierarchy, the Site Group Type Rule Order field is used to determine the relative order of the Site Groups. The Site Group with the lower order number will take precedence.