Reference definitions from standards:
ISO/IEC 60601-1-8:
ALARM CONDITION - state of the ALARM SYSTEM when it has determined that a potential or actual HAZARD HAZARDOUS SITUATION exists for which OPERATOR awareness or response is required3.2 * ALARM CONDITION DELAY time from the occurrence of a triggering event either in the PATIENT, for PHYSIOLOGICAL ALARM CONDITIONS, or in the equipment, for TECHNICAL ALARM CONDITIONS, to when the ALARM SYSTEM determines that an ALARM CONDITION exists
ALARM LIMIT threshold used by an ALARM SYSTEM to determine an ALARM CONDITION
ALARM OFF state of indefinite duration in which an ALARM SYSTEM or part of an ALARM SYSTEM does not generate ALARM SIGNALS
ALARM PAUSED state of limited duration in which the ALARM SYSTEM or part of the ALARM SYSTEM does not generate ALARM SIGNALS
ALARM PRESET set of stored configuration parameters, including selection of algorithms and initial values for use by algorithms, which affect or modify the performance of the ALARM SYSTEM
ALARM RESET OPERATOR action that causes the cessation of an ALARM SIGNAL for which no associated ALARM CONDITION currently exists
ALARM SIGNAL type of signal generated by the ALARM SYSTEM to indicate the presence (or occurrence) of an ALARM CONDITION
ALARM SIGNAL GENERATION DELAY time from the onset of an ALARM CONDITION to the generation of its ALARM SIGNAL(S)
HIGH PRIORITY indicating that immediate OPERATOR response is required NOTE The priority is assigned through RISK ANALYSIS.
INTELLIGENT ALARM SYSTEM ALARM SYSTEM that makes logical decisions based on monitored information without OPERATOR intervention EXAMPLE 1 An ALARM SYSTEM that changes priority based on the rate of change of a monitored variable. EXAMPLE 2 An ALARM SYSTEM that suppresses an ALARM CONDITION when a related ALARM CONDITION of higher priority has recently generated an ALARM SIGNAL.
.LATCHING ALARM SIGNAL ALARM SIGNAL that continues to be generated after its triggering event no longer exists until stopped by deliberate OPERATOR action
LOW PRIORITY indicating that OPERATOR awareness is required NOTE The priority is assigned through RISK ANALYSIS.
MEDIUM PRIORITY indicating that prompt OPERATOR response is required NOTE The priority is assigned through RISK ANALYSIS.
NON-LATCHING ALARM SIGNAL ALARM SIGNAL that automatically stops being generated when its associated triggering event no longer exists