816-925-0443
When is an Arc Flash Study Required?
An arc flash study should be completed every five years, or when major changes are made to the electrical system. This assessment is done to provide staff with the appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) they may need while in your workplace.
An arc flash study in Kansas City or nationwide by ESS will help protect your employees from injury. At the end of your arc flash study, all arc flash hazard areas will be marked with arc flash labels (stickers) and a comprehensive report will be provided.
NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Article 130.5 states that a study needs to be done when there is a significant change in the electrical system or “reviewed for accuracy at intervals not to exceed 5 years”.
ESS can help you address arc flash hazards in your facility. Our team of safety experts will help you identify risks and outline a training program that suits your team’s needs based on job requirements and facility hazards.
What Does an Arc Flash Study Involve?
As part of a company’s safety protocols, an arc risk assessment provides insight into the steps an employer needs to take to protect workers. With the results of these risk assessment analyses, employers can mitigate ore reduce hazards to a manageable level. The studies usually take 4 to 6 weeks to complete, depending on the size of the facility. ESS protocol for arc flash risk assessment includes the following:
- Data Collection: Collect necessary data about the facility’s power distribution system, including transformers KVA and impedance, nameplate specifications, fuses, breakers, along with lengths and sizes of all cables.
- Engineering Analysis of the Data: Perform a short circuit analysis to determine the available fault current at each location.
- Protective Device Coordination: Determines which upstream overcurrent device will operate first based on fault currents and plotting the time current curves for the fuses or breakers found in the system.
- Arc Flash Calculations: Determine incident energy levels and flash protection boundaries and complete calculations of all relevant equipment based on IEEE.
- Arc Flash Study and Analysis Report: Once the calculations are completed a comprehensive report will be built based on the findings in your facility.
- Label Installation: Creation and installation of warning labels pinpointing incident energy and working distance, arc flash boundary, and nominal system voltage. Include Limited, Restricted approach boundaries, date, and recommended personal protection equipment (PPE) as well.
By individually analyzing these systems and labeling equipment to warn employees of the specific hazards found at that location, you can increase personnel and workplace safety.
Nationwide Arc Flash Study From ESS
ESS provides arc flash studies throughout Kansas City and the United States. Trust ESS, your local Kansas City leader in electrical safety training, arc flash risk assessments and electrical design services for your company’s arc flash study.
To schedule your arc flash study, call (816) 925-0443 or click here to request a quote.