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.
To purchase a copy of the third edition of Start-Up: A Technician’s Guide, click here.
More about Start-Up: A Technician’s Guide
This new edition of the best-selling, best-practice handbook by 30+ year industry veteran Diane Barkin focuses on helping control systems technicians (CSTs) understand their roles in starting up new plants and systems. It prepares them for the high-pressure demands and fast-emerging challenges by familiarizing them with the entire process from initial planning meetings through final testing and documentation, as well as the interactions between disciplines involved, safety considerations, and regulatory requirements.
These discussions, as well as detailed outlines of CST essential job functions, make this book an excellent resource for start-up preparation and a learning tool for CSTs who are seeking an ISA CCST certification.
This new edition of Start-Up: A Technician’s Guide addresses:
- The essential processes, phases, and documents required to effectively plan for, implement, and manage a successful plant start-up
- CST essential job functions such as calibration, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, loop-check, and other project duties
- Real-life examples designed to help CSTs meet the high-pressure demands and fast-emerging challenges within the industry
- New technologies and processes
- Updated references, such as ISA books and standards, as well as standards from other industries
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