Arc Flash Study vs. Arc Flash Risk Assessment: Is There A Difference?

An arc flash study is the evaluation of a workplace facility by an electrical safety expert to determine hazards and risks in relation to electrical systems. The on-site study results in arc flash equipment labeling, fault current and coordination analysis, recommendations for improvements and requirements for proper personal protective equipment (PPE). A review and analysis of the facilities written electrical safety program can also be included. The terms “arc flash study” and “arc flash risk assessment” both refer to the same evaluation and are used interchangeably.

ESS can perform an arc flash study, as required by OSHA and the NFPA 70E, anywhere in the United States. Our experts can be mobilized in a very short time to come to your site and determine the risk level for all areas in which your employees perform work, as well as train your authorized and affected employees.

The arc flash study identifies the presence and location of potential hazards and provides recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment, boundaries for limited, restricted and prohibited approaches, recommendations for flash protection, and safe work practices. This is critical to ensuring worker safety, and helps save lives and money by ensuring safe practices and minimizing the possibility of injuries and valuable time lost to accidents.

An ESS arc flash Engineering Technician will come on-site to collect the necessary data to perform an arc flash risk assessment. Our Engineering Technicians are Master/Journeyman electricians who have several years of experience in commercial/industrial electrical installations and maintenance. They also have extensive training on the intricacies of the data collection process, including how to achieve it with as little disruption as possible. In the very rare occurrence that power will need to be disrupted, we have several options available to gather the necessary information.

Once the data collection process is complete, ESS will build an SKM model of your system, using only the information collected during phase 1. (ESS can use other software upon request.) ESS then begins the process of creating arc flash one-line diagrams and conducting a hazard risk assessment including short circuit analysis, interrupt rating analysis, coordination analysis and incident energy analysis. In completing these analyses, ESS will be able to complete your comprehensive arc flash risk assessment.

Upon completion of the engineering work, ESS will return to your site and will install 100% of your arc flash labels. No questions asked, no cut-off points, no thresholds and no future work for your maintenance staff. When we leave your facility, your employees will be fully trained on the existing hazards and electrical PPE requirements, and all hazards will have been identified by our team.

For more information or to request an arc flash study anywhere in the United States, click here or call ESS at (816) 925-0443.