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..dcb98dd 100644
--- a/src/server_common/utilities.py
+++ b/src/server_common/utilities.py
@@ -371,3 +371,14 @@ 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))