How Is An Arc Flash Risk Assessment Performed?

An arc flash risk assessment identifies the presence and location of potential hazards and provides recommendations for personal protective equipment, boundaries for limited and restricted approaches, recommendations for flash protection, and safe work practices. Electrical Safety Specialists (ESS) performs risk assessments for potential hazards and much more. Here we outline the process:

1. On-Site Data Collection

An ESS field technician will collect the necessary information to complete the arc flash risk assessment. The data included in our study will begin at the point where your team takes ownership of the incoming electrical feed from the utility provider. Our team will work downstream through your system to include all points deemed capable of producing an arc per the IEEE 1584 standard. 

2. Engineering Analysis

Once the data collection process is complete, we use the data gathered during the first step to build a comprehensive SKM model of your electrical system. Once the model is in place, our engineers will conduct a short circuit analysis, an interrupt rating analysis, a coordination study, and an incident energy analysis. After all the analyses are completed, we will use the calculated information to create and print the corresponding arc flash labels.

3. Installation Of Arc Flash Labels

The third step of our arc flash risk assessment includes a return trip to your facility for the installation of arc flash labels and four hours of NFPA 70E awareness training. Our installation process is thorough and complete; we will not leave your team with any arc flash labels to apply yourself. We do this to ensure all electrical points are properly labeled. This also allows our team to complete a quality check on the original data collection.

4.  Delivery Of Report And Single Line Drawings

ESS is the only arc flash provider in the industry that uses step 3 as an opportunity to update your report and single line drawings per the findings during delivery of arc flash labels. In doing this, our field technician will report any changes/updates back to our engineers upon completion of step 3, allowing the engineer time to update your report and drawings as necessary. If needed, new labels can also be created during this phase. Once all reports and drawings are confirmed to be fully accurate, the report and drawings will be provided to your team.

Arc Flash Risk Assessment From ESS

Arc flash studies are conducted nationwide by Electrical Safety Specialists to determine the risk levels for all areas in which employees may perform work. This study saves lives and money by ensuring safe work practices and minimizing the possibility of injuries and lost time accidents. Arc flash risk assessment is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NFPA 70E.

ESS also provides arc flash safety training classes nationwide. If you are interested in training for multiple locations or concerned about the consistency of training throughout your corporation, Electrical Safety Specialists can develop and implement customized safety training throughout your company.

For more information, call (816) 925-0443 or click here to request a quote.