Arc Flash Analysis
NFPA 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. "The purpose of this standard is to provide a practical safe working area for employees relative to the hazards arising from the use of electricity." The current edition of NFPA 70E requires employers to perform an arc flash hazard analysis as part of their electrical safety program. Howard Engineering's comprehensive arc flash hazard analysis is designed to assist our clients in addressing the requirements of NFPA 70E.
In the event of an injury or death due to an electrical accident, if OSHA determines that compliance with 70E would have prevented or lessened the injury, OSHA may cite the employer under the "general duty clause" for not using 70E to protect the employee(s). In a 2003 "Standards Interpretation" letter OSHA stated 70E can be used as evidence of whether the employer acted reasonably.
Key elements of an Arc Flash Analysis are:
- On-Site data collection.
- Development of accurate and detailed one line diagrams of the plant electrical system.
- Perform system short circuit analysis.
- Perform system overcurrent protection coordination.
- Calculate the arc flash incident energy at all relevant points in the system.
- Calculate the arc flash boundary distances.
- Calculating the NFPA-based level of personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the arc flash incident energies.
- Provide labeling to communicate PPE and approach distance to exposed energized equipment that falls under the definitions of NEC 110.16.
Compliance with NFPA 70E can provide a strong foundation for developing a culture of safety at your plant. Contact us to get started on your company's arc flash analysis.
