BURN-RATE-ALERTS

Multi-window SRE SLO alerts.

Definition

Google standard: 14.4x burn (1h + 5min), 6x burn (6h + 30min), 1x burn (3d + 6h). If burn rate exceeds thresholds on 2 windows, alert. Enables fast detection while limiting false positives. Implemented in Prometheus via for: clauses.

Origin

Formalised in Google SRE Workbook (chapter 5) published 2018.

Example in context

An EDI service declares 6 Prometheus burn-rate alerts on SLO latency p99 < 500ms.

Related terms

• Error budget — monitored.