arc flash solutions
TRANSCRIPT
Arc Flash Solutions
Team Fishel Professional Services GroupRichmond, Virginia
Introduction
• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an Arc Flash hazard is a “dangerous condition associated with the possible release of energy caused by an electric arc”
• Between Five (5) to Ten (10) Arc Flash explosions occur in electrical equipment every day in the United States
What is an Arc Flash / Arc Blast?
Arc Flash
NFPA 70E definitionsK.3 Arc Flash• When an electric current passes through air between ungrounded conductors or between ungrounded conductors and grounded conductors, the temperatures can reach 35,000°F, this is four times the surface temperature of the sun.• Each year more than 2000 people are admitted to burn centers with severe Arc Flash burns.
K.4 Arc-Blast• The tremendous temperatures of the arc cause the explosive expansion of both the surrounding air and the metal in the arc path. For example, copper expands by a factor of 67,000 times when it turns from a solid to a vapor. The danger associated with this expansion is one of high pressures, sound, and shrapnel.
Arc Blast
What causes Arc Flash?• Dust and impurities - Dust and impurities on insulating surfaces can
provide a path for current, allowing it to flashover and create an arc discharge across the surface.
• Corrosion - Corrosion of equipment creates impurities on insulating surfaces. • Condensation - Water vapor can drip causing tracking on the surface of insulating materials. This can create a flashover to
ground. • Spark discharge - Accidental contact; dropping tools• Failure of insulating materials – Exposed surfaces that can provide a path for current. • Improper work procedures – Untrained/uncertified technicians and
improper PPE usage.
Governing Agencies
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 SUBPART S and 1926 SUBPART KElectrical
NFPA 70 National Electric Code ®
NFPA 70-E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®
IEEE Std 1584Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations ®
Paragraph (e) of §1910.303 Requires employers to mark electrical equipment with descriptive markings, including the equipment's voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. OSHA states that this information, along with the training requirements for qualified persons, will provide employees the necessary information to protect themselves from Arc Flash hazards.
110.16 Flash Protection. 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 shall be field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric Arc Flash hazards. The marking shall be located so as to be clearly visible to qualified persons before examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance of the equipment.
NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Analysis
130.5 Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. An Arc Flash hazard analysis shall determine the Arc Flash
boundary, the incident energy at the working distance, and the personal protective equipment that people within the Arc Flash boundary shall use.
The Arc Flash hazard analysis shall be updated when a major modification or renovation takes place. It shall be reviewed periodically, Not To Exceed 5 Years, to account for changes in the electrical distribution system that could affect the results of the Arc Flash hazard analysis.
Arc Flash Protection BoundaryThe Flash Protection Boundary (FPB) is defined as the distance at which a worker is exposed to 1.2 calories/cm2 of incident energy. This is the distance at which PPE must be worn to prevent 2nd-degree or greater burns in the event of an Arc Flash. Any persons crossing the FPB must wear appropriate Arc Rated PPE.
Arc Flash Boundary
NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Labels
The Nation Fire Protection Association REQUIRES that all electrical equipment be
properly labeled
130.3 Arc Flash Hazard Analysis States:Equipment shall be field marked with a label containing the available incident energy or required level of PPE
NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Warning Label
NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Danger Label
The Qualified Person
Anyone who has a need to work within the Arc Flash boundaries dictated by the analysis must either be certified as a Qualified Person or accompanied by a Qualified Person, depending on the equipment and distance they are working from that equipment.
NFPA 70-E defines a Qualified Person as follows:One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.
Limited Approach BoundaryThe Limited Approach Boundary is the distance from the live part to which unqualified persons may approach unaccompanied. To cross the Limited Approach Boundary, unqualified persons must be accompanied by a qualified worker wearing the appropriate Voltage Rated PPE and trained on the task to be performed.
Restricted Approach Boundary The Restricted Approach Boundary may only be crossed by qualified workers with appropriate Voltage Rated PPE and training on the task to be performed. In addition, the worker must have an approved work permit and written plan for the task. The plan should include shock-prevention procedures designed to keep all portions of the worker's body from crossing the Prohibited Approach Boundary at any time.
Shock Hazard BoundariesDependent on Voltage Only
By Providing the Best:
How Can Team FishelBe your Solution?
• Comprehensive & Complete Arc Flash Analysis• Arc Flash Compliance Labeling• Classroom and Hands-on Workplace Safety Training• Certification & Re-Certification for Qualified Person(s)• Proper Usage of Rated PPE and Purchasing
Recommendations
Professional Service SolutionsArc Flash Safety Services include:
Data collection of all equipment to identify fault currents, overcurrent protection devices and other necessary information Analysis and calculations to provide detailed information on the Arc Flash hazard and shock hazard for each area of potential exposure to conductors or circuit components. The Analysis and calculations reporting will include the following:
•Fault Current Studies•Equipment Evaluation•Arc Flash Studies•Electrical Equipment•Time Current Curves
Professional Services Solutions (cont.)
Proper labeling of all panels for compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Training to mitigate electrical hazards and increase safety measures Ongoing services for training new personnel, meeting annual training requirements, and providing required analysis updates after deploying new equipment or modifying existing processes.
Recommendations (when applicable) to mitigate the risk of electrical hazards through proper electrical design
Arc Flash SolutionsValue Added
Our Arc Flash safety solutions for all 3-phase power distribution in building systems will help improve safety in the workplace and support your safety culture to mitigate risk, improve productivity and increase operational efficiency by:
•Reducing time to compliance, improving safety in the workplace for employees
•Ensuring conformity with relevant hazardous energy standards, limiting exposure to regulatory fines for your business
•Furnishing up-to-date electrical system documentation, including one-line power diagrams that assist with efficient workplace upgrades and maintenance
•Create an electrical system study to determine the present degree of Arc Flash hazards and apply associated equipment labeling
•Delivering short circuit analysis that can identify over-cycled equipment, enhancing operational reliability
•Learn how to maintain electrical distribution system components
Class Environment Training•AFT 002 Training Classes The purpose of this session is to provide training on NFPA 70E Article 130 to personnel who are required to function near or interface with electrical equipment, but will not are not qualified to be within the approach boundaries specified in NFPA 70E.
•AFT 004 Training Classes The purpose of this session is to provide training on NFPA 70E Article 130 to personnel who are required to examine, adjust, service, or maintain electrical equipment while it is energized and meet the standards required for qualified personnel as defined in NFPA 70E
For More Information
Please visit our websitewww.teamfishel.com/arcflashsolutions
Or contact our Professional Services Group in Richmond, VABrian Smith, Division Manager
Edward Khalil, PE [email protected]
(804)321-8900