Arc-Flash Analysis
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The main goal of this analysis is to become compliant with OSHA standard for electrical safety in workplace environments. Failure to comply means that the workplace isn’t electrically safe and can lead to OSHA fines, accidents, and high legal costs. From 1992 to 2002, over 2,000 U.S. workers per year, over five per day, were victims of serious arc-flash injuries.
This analysis consists of 3 parts:
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Short Circuit Study - to determine maximum 3-phase short-circuit values at points along the distribution system
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Protective Device Coordination Study - to determine if overcurrent devices are selectively coordinated
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Arc-Flash Risk Assessment - to determine incident energy and arc-flash boundaries.
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When is an Arc-Flash Analysis required?
All non-dwelling electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, disconnects, and motor control centers that are likely to require examination adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized must be evaluated and labeled.
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The analysis aims to provide adequate knowledge to workers in the form of labels on the electrical equipment, showing the shock risk, the arc-flash boundary, and the amount of heat released at a given distance. These values are determined during a site survey by documenting wire size and length, circuit breaker and fuse information, etc. Arc-Flash Analysis updates are required to be performed every 5 years, or whenever significant changes are made to the electrical system.
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The labels must have 3 things:
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Nominal System Voltage
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Arc Flash Boundary
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At least one of the following:
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Available Incident Energy and the corresponding working distance, or the PPE Category in NFPA 70E 2018 Table 130.7 C(15)(a) or Table 130.7 C(15)(b)
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Minimum rating of clothing
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Site-specific level of PPE
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Why Blackmon Power?
We self-perform all aspects of the analysis: data gathering, software modeling, engineering review, label application, report review, and safety training. We feel this adds real value because the same technicians who perform our electrical maintenance testing also perform the arc-flash data gathering. Taking the time with a practiced eye to look for problems allows maintenance teams to detect issues and plan for repairs, instead of reacting to outages or damaged equipment.
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Training
An Arc-Flash Safety Training Class is available at your site or at our onsite training facility. We also provide classes to re-train existing employees. Typical class time lasts 3-4 hours.
Topics covered include:
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What is arc-flash and arc-blast, and what are the consequences
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Reading and understanding arc-flash labels
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Proper selection, fit, maintenance, and disposal of arc-flash PPE
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NFPA 70 guidelines for utilizing Energized Work Permits
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Defining “Qualified Person”
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Lock-out Tag-out (LOTO)
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Understanding arc-flash working distances and boundaries
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Understanding shock hazard boundaries
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Selecting proper metering equipment
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Creating an electrically-safe working condition
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Minimizing human error – planning and risk assessment
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For more information, please contact Blackmon Power.
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