diff --git a/src/server_common/schema/blocks.xsd b/src/server_common/schema/blocks.xsd
index fea0e51..6b8f7d0 100644
--- a/src/server_common/schema/blocks.xsd
+++ b/src/server_common/schema/blocks.xsd
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
         <xs:element ref="blk:log_deadband" minOccurs="0"/>
         <xs:element ref="blk:set_block" minOccurs="0"/>
         <xs:element ref="blk:set_block_val" minOccurs="0"/>
+        <xs:element ref="blk:alarm_enabled" minOccurs="0"/>
+		<xs:element ref="blk:alarm_latched" minOccurs="0"/>
+        <xs:element ref="blk:alarm_delay" minOccurs="0"/>
+        <xs:element ref="blk:alarm_guidance" minOccurs="0"/>
+
       </xs:sequence>
     </xs:complexType>
   </xs:element>
@@ -42,4 +47,8 @@
   <xs:element name="log_deadband" type="xs:double"/>
   <xs:element name="set_block" type="xs:string"/>
   <xs:element name="set_block_val" type="xs:string"/>
+  <xs:element name="alarm_enabled" type="xs:string"/>
+  <xs:element name="alarm_latched" type="xs:string"/>
+  <xs:element name="alarm_delay" type="xs:double"/>
+  <xs:element name="alarm_guidance" type="xs:string"/>
 </xs:schema>
diff --git a/src/server_common/utilities.py b/src/server_common/utilities.py
index d31d3ab..98d72e8 100644
--- a/src/server_common/utilities.py
+++ b/src/server_common/utilities.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 from server_common.common_exceptions import MaxAttemptsExceededException
 from server_common.loggers.logger import Logger
 
+# ruff: noqa: ANN001, ANN201, ANN002, ANN003, ANN202, E721
 # Default to base class - does not actually log anything
 LOGGER = Logger()
 _LOGGER_LOCK = threading.RLock()  # To prevent message interleaving between different threads.
@@ -72,8 +73,8 @@ def print_and_log(message, severity=SEVERITY.INFO, src="BLOCKSVR"):
 
     Args:
         message (string|exception): The message to log
-        severity (string, optional): Gives the severity of the message. Expected serverities are MAJOR, MINOR and INFO.
-                                    Default severity is INFO.
+        severity (string, optional): Gives the severity of the message. Expected serverities are
+                                    MAJOR, MINOR and INFO. Default severity is INFO.
         src (string, optional): Gives the source of the message. Default source is BLOCKSVR.
     """
     with _LOGGER_LOCK:
@@ -115,7 +116,8 @@ def dehex_and_decompress(value):
 
 
 def dehex_and_decompress_waveform(value):
-    """Decompresses the inputted waveform, assuming it is a array of integers representing characters (null terminated).
+    """Decompresses the inputted waveform, assuming it is a array of integers
+    representing characters (null terminated).
 
     Args:
         value (list[int]): The string to be decompressed
@@ -181,11 +183,11 @@ def value_list_to_xml(value_list, grp, group_tag, item_tag):
     """Converts a list of values to corresponding xml.
 
     Args:
-        value_list (dist[str, dict[object, object]]): The dictionary of names and their values, values are in turn a
-            dictonary of names and value {name: {parameter : value, parameter : value}}
+        value_list (dist[str, dict[object, object]]): The dictionary of names and their values,
+        values are in turn a dictonary of names and value {name:{parameter:value,parameter:value}}
         grp (ElementTree.SubElement): The SubElement object to append the list on to
-        group_tag (string): The tag that corresponds to the group for the items given in the list e.g. macros
-        item_tag (string): The tag that corresponds to each item in the list e.g. macro
+        group_tag (string): The tag that corresponds to the group for the items given in the list
+        e.g. macros item_tag (string): The tag that corresponds to each item in the list e.g. macro
     """
     xml_list = ElementTree.SubElement(grp, group_tag)
     if len(value_list) > 0:
@@ -218,7 +220,7 @@ def create_pv_name(name, current_pvs, default_pv, limit=6, allow_colon=False):
         current_pvs (list): List of already allocated pvs
         default_pv (string): Basis for the PV if name is unreasonable, must be a valid PV name
         limit (integer): Character limit for the PV
-        allow_colon (bool): If True, pv name is allowed to contain colons; if False, remove the colons
+        allow_colon (bool): If True,pv name is allowed to contain colons;if False,remove the colons
 
     Returns:
         string : A valid PV
@@ -344,7 +346,8 @@ def remove_from_end(string, text_to_remove):
 
 def lowercase_and_make_unique(in_list):
     """
-    Takes a collection of strings, and returns it with all strings lowercased and with duplicates removed.
+    Takes a collection of strings, and returns it with all strings lowercased and with duplicates
+    removed.
 
     Args:
         in_list (List[str]): the collection of strings to operate on
@@ -371,3 +374,15 @@ def parse_date_time_arg_exit_on_fail(date_arg, error_code=1):
     except (ValueError, TypeError) as ex:
         print(f"Can not interpret date '{date_arg}' error: {ex}")
         exit(error_code)
+
+
+def dehex_and_decompress_waveform_value(value):
+    """Decompresses the inputted waveform, assuming it is available as string.
+
+    Args:
+        value (str): The string to be decompressed
+
+    Returns:
+        str : A decompressed and unhexed version of the input string
+    """
+    return zlib.decompress(binascii.unhexlify(value))