Arc Flash Risk Assessment Studies & Labeling
The Exposure Of Employees To Energized Parts Places A Requirement On The Employer To Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENT - PROCESS
PowerCom’s Advantage – All work will be performed by electrical engineers. No work will be completed by any field or service technicians.
Step 1: Data Collection – Field Survey
PowerCom Corporation will have an electrical engineer come to your facility and collect the necessary information. Powercom’s engineer will open up live electrical panels and equipment, turning off power will not be necessary, so interruption to your facility will not be an issue. During this step, our engineer will also note possible safety and code related issues.
Step 2: Engineering & Analysis
Using the latest version of SKM PowerTools, our electrical engineers will model your facility’s electrical distribution system based off the data that was collected during the field survey. We will use this model to analyze arc flash energy levels at different points throughout your electrical system. During this process, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) will review the results of the study, provide mitigation and coordination recommendations, and note any areas of deficiency.
Step 3: Report & Labeling
Your report will include the results of the arc flash hazard analysis, single line drawings/schematics of your electrical system, and review of possible safety and code related issues. We will also include UV, weather, and chemical resistant arc flash hazard labels for your equipment. These labels will be applied by PowerCom’s engineers.
Optional Safety Training
PowerCom can provide onsite arc flash hazard training for your employees. Our training can be site specific and incorporate your company’s existing safety and work procedures.
Training topics we cover are:
· OSHA Standards & Regulations · NFPA 70E (Latest Edition)
· Arc Flash Fundamentals and Safety · Safe Related Work Practices
· Lock Out/Tag Out · Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
COMPLY WITH OSHA, NFPA 70E & THE NEC
As of 2002, The National Electric Code (NEC) requires “electrical equipment, such as switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures and motor control centers, that are in other than dwelling occupancies and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance while energized [to be] field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards.” NFPA 70E-2004 article 130.3 states; “A flash hazard analysis shall be done in order to protect personnel from the possibility of being injured by an arc flash.”
ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENT - ARC FLASH HAZARD STUDY
PowerCom can provide suggestions on reducing Arc Flash energy to safer levels and can also indicate improperly maintained and installed equipment. A benefit of decreasing the Arc Flash energy is lowering the level of PPE required for personnel. Along with identifying the hazardous areas, the study involves properly posting safety signs, applying safety labels and clearly marking safety boundaries on the floor. These labels are used to inform personnel of the correct PPE that should be worn.
The adjustment of circuit breaker trip settings can decrease the amount of Arc Flash energy that is the result of a fault. Care must be taken when implementing this solution, as protective device coordination may be affected when reducing the trip time of protective devices. This is why along with an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis, both a selective coordination and short circuit study must also be performed.
