ISA Publishes Third Edition of Start-Up: A Technician’s Guide
February 25, 2020
The International Society of Automation (ISA) today announces the third edition release of Start-Up: A Technician’s Guide, a best-practice handbook to help control system technicians meet the high-pressure demands and fast-emerging challenges of getting new plants and new plant systems up and running.
The release has been updated to reflect the latest industry technologies, terminology, and references, and highlight the essential processes, phases, and documents required to effectively plan for, implement, and manage a successful plant start-up.
The book serves as a practical guide for those seeking to become an ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST), an objective, consensus-based validation of technician competency in all essential job-task domains of automation and control. These domains include all essential job functions, such as calibration, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, loop-check, and all project duties—from start-up and planning to documentation and management.
The author—Diane R. Barkin—brings more than three decades of expertise and experience in automation project engineering and management; design, specification, order, programming, and training; and assistance with construction and start-up. She serves as President and Senior Project Consultant of Harris Automation Services, Inc. in Houston, Texas.
“Plant start-ups can be very frustrating and the book is intended to help alleviate that frustration,” Barkin points out. “These situations are often fast-paced, stressful, and noisy—with sometimes difficult personalities and personal attitudes to grapple with. Control system technicians must be willing and able to learn in these settings and be organized and patient—all while being cognizant of vital safety procedures and efficiency objectives.”
Barkin emphasizes that while the book is particularly valuable to technicians preparing for ISA CCST certification, it will be useful to any control system technician seeking to gain state-of-the-art knowledge and improve their on-the-job skills and capabilities.
