An alarm handling and viewing system includes an alarm display interface that enables the different alarms generated by the same control module, safety system module, device, etc., to be handled and viewed in a manner that is different than each other and/or that is different than the display parameters specified for the module or device that generates the alarms. The system thus enables the selection of various different alarms of a single control module, device, etc., to result in different plant displays, different faceplate displays, and/or different alarm handling parameters to be used to provide further information to the user regarding the selected alarm. This feature, in turn, enables the alarm handling and viewing system to immediately switch to a predetermined plant display, faceplate display, or detail display best suited to the individual alarm being viewed, to thereby enable a control operator to more quickly identify the source or cause of an alarm and/or to determine a cause of action to take in responding to the alarm.