1. Arc Flash Solutions
Team Fishel Professional Services Group
Richmond, Virginia

2. 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?

3. Arc Flash
NFPA 70E definitions
K.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

4. 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.

5. Governing Agencies
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 SUBPART S and 1926 SUBPART K
Electrical
NFPA 70
National Electric Code ®
NFPA 70-E
Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®
IEEE Std 1584
Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations ®

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Arc Flash Protection Boundary
The 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

9. 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

10. NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Warning Label

11. NFPA 70-E Arc Flash Danger Label

12. 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.

13. Limited Approach Boundary
The 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 Boundaries
Dependent on Voltage Only

14. By Providing the Best:
How Can Team Fishel
Be 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

15. Professional Service Solutions
Arc 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

16. 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

17. Arc Flash Solutions
Value 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

18. 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

19. For More Information
Please visit our website
www.teamfishel.com/arc-flash-solutions
Or contact our Professional Services Group in Richmond, VA
Brian Smith, Division Manager
bysmith@teamfishel.com
and
Edward Khalil, PE
ekhalil@teamfishel.com
(804)321-8900