diff --git a/reactor-plc/startup.lua b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
index 869be2f..5692899 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/startup.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ os.loadAPI("scada-common/comms.lua")
 os.loadAPI("config.lua")
 os.loadAPI("plc.lua")
 
-local R_PLC_VERSION = "alpha-v0.1.5"
+local R_PLC_VERSION = "alpha-v0.1.6"
 
 local print = util.print
 local println = util.println
@@ -271,7 +271,12 @@ while true do
         iss.trip_timeout()
         println_ts("server timeout, reactor disabled")
         log._warning("server timeout, reactor disabled")
-    elseif event == "terminate" then
+    end
+
+    -- check for termination request
+    if event == "terminate" or ppm.should_terminate() then
+        log._warning("terminate requested, exiting...")
+
         -- safe exit
         if plc_state.init_ok then
             plc_state.scram = true
@@ -282,9 +287,11 @@ while true do
                 println_ts("exiting, reactor failed to disable")
             end
         end
-        -- send an alarm: plc_comms.send_alarm(ALARMS.PLC_SHUTDOWN) ?
-        println_ts("exited")
-        log._info("terminate requested, exiting")
-        return
+
+        break
     end
 end
+
+-- send an alarm: plc_comms.send_alarm(ALARMS.PLC_SHUTDOWN) ?
+println_ts("exited")
+log._info("exited")
diff --git a/rtu/startup.lua b/rtu/startup.lua
index 8f03a35..0e2bfaa 100644
--- a/rtu/startup.lua
+++ b/rtu/startup.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ os.loadAPI("dev/boiler_rtu.lua")
 os.loadAPI("dev/imatrix_rtu.lua")
 os.loadAPI("dev/turbine_rtu.lua")
 
-local RTU_VERSION = "alpha-v0.1.4"
+local RTU_VERSION = "alpha-v0.1.5"
 
 local print = util.print
 local println = util.println
@@ -237,7 +237,10 @@ while true do
 
         -- if linked, stop sending advertisements
         linked = link_ref.linked
-    elseif event == "terminate" then
+    end
+
+    -- check for termination request
+    if event == "terminate" or ppm.should_terminate() then
         log._warning("terminate requested, exiting...")
         break
     end
diff --git a/scada-common/ppm.lua b/scada-common/ppm.lua
index f11f0e2..fd92b23 100644
--- a/scada-common/ppm.lua
+++ b/scada-common/ppm.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ local self = {
     mounts = {},
     auto_cf = false,
     faulted = false,
+    terminate = false,
     mute = false
 }
 
@@ -38,9 +39,15 @@ local peri_init = function (device)
             else
                 -- function failed
                 self.faulted = true
+
                 if not mute then
                     log._error("PPM: protected " .. key .. "() -> " .. result)
                 end
+
+                if result == "Terminated" then
+                    self.terminate = true
+                end
+
                 return ACCESS_FAULT
             end
         end
@@ -85,6 +92,13 @@ function clear_fault()
     self.faulted = false
 end
 
+-- TERMINATION --
+
+-- if a caught error was a termination request
+function should_terminate()
+    return self.terminate
+end
+
 -- MOUNTING --
 
 -- mount all available peripherals (clears mounts first)