This manual is intended to be a comprehensive treatment of automation techniques and practices. The start of the art has changed dramatically since the last revision of this manual. Sensor and communications technology have seen the greatest developments and changes, and for this reason alone a revision is required. We anticipate major revisions to the chapters dealing with these technologies. This revision is intended to be a standard reference work for its anticipated useful life. It will be the " go to" guide for a wide range of staff; operators and technicians will use this manual to help them understand how a technology operates and how it can benefit them in use at their facilities. It will help management determine the most cost-effective means of monitoring and controlling their facilities. Finally, it will also function as an instructional manual complimenting the disparate local operator certification training materials used to attain operator credentials.

We anticipate this manual will be required reading and will find its way to every operator' s bookshelf.