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Whether you require
a complete program or short-term assistance with arc flash
calculations, ERS has a solution to fit your need. Select from our
menu of services for Arc Flash Solutions:
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Arc Flash Hazard Analysis |
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Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Plan |
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Site
Review / Compliance Assessment |
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Design Review |
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Single
Line Diagrams |
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Short Circuit and Coordination
Studies |
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Preventive Maintenance |
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Electrical Safety Program Review/
Development |
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Training |
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Personal Protective Equipment Plan |
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Optional Annual Re-certification |
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Documentation |
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Arc Flash Hazard Analysis |
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The National Fire Protection
Association Guidelines (NFPA 70E) require facility owners to perform
an arc flash hazard analysis prior to allowing a worker to perform a
task on energized equipment. The arc flash analysis identifies the
presence and location of potential hazards and provides
recommendations for PPE, boundaries for limited, restricted and
prohibited approaches, recommendations for flash protection, and
safe work practices. To calculate incident energy, ERS reviews
available technical data and collects additional necessary data
including equipment type, voltage, ratings, impedance, etc. The
safest option to conduct this analysis is to utilize an outside
contractor trained in this procedure. ERS’s technical staff is
“qualified” according to the new NEC definition and has undergone
specific training in the hazards of working on energized equipment,
and the use and proper application of PPE.
To provide accurate results, ERS utilizes state-of-the-art software
to perform the arc flash calculations and then compares both the
NFPA and IEEE standards. The software enables users to evaluate
alternatives quickly and easily to establish an optimal design. |
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Arc Flash Hazard Labeling Plan |
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Electrical inspectors are
now enforcing the new labeling requirement published in the 2002
National Electrical Code (NEC 110.16) that states a warning label
must be placed on electrical equipment that may remain energized
during maintenance or repair. ERS can assist with compliance during
each phase of an ac flash hazard analysis. In the initial phase, ERS
supplies the labels and can also assist in applying the appropriate
warning labels and signs. As part of an on-going labeling plan, ERS can provide updated labels to accommodate equipment, system or
regulatory updates. |
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Site Review / Compliance
Assessment |
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The Occupational
Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is diligent in enforcing the
NFPA 70E Guidelines. To ensure compliance ERS can determine the
necessary steps to fulfill the more general statements in the OSHA
standards. We conduct a comprehensive assessment at your facility to
identify areas of risk and non-compliance. A plan is then formulated
to bring your facility into compliance in the most efficient way
possible. |
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Design Review |
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ERS’s technical staff can conduct a design review
of your electrical distribution system to identify areas to reduce
potential arc flash hazards. Several areas are evaluated including
fault levels, exposure times, remote operations, remote racking, and
system grounding. Employing special devices and altering current
design can significantly reduce fault levels, arcing time, arc
incident energy, and arc blast force. Conducting a design review is
the most effective way to uncover potential hazards to these types
of solutions can be employed. |
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Single Line Diagrams |
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NFPA 70E
requirements mandate accurate, up-to-date single-line diagrams.
These documents are essential for documenting, troubleshooting, and
communicating information about your power systems. To meet these
requirements, ERS can conduct a comprehensive site survey that is
essential to develop or to update existing single-line diagrams or
complete electrical system drawings. |
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Short Circuit and Coordination
Studies |
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The Petroleum and Chemical
Industry Committee (PCIC) recommends that Arc Flash calculations be
completed in conjunction with short circuit calculations and
protective device coordination to achieve the most accurate Arc
Flash Hazard results. Short circuit and coordination studies verify
protective devices and arc hazard ratings, calculate momentary
interrupting and relay currents, establish settings for all types of
protective devices, and coordinate your entire power distribution
system to minimize downtime. ERS specializes in conducting these
studies that provide critical information you need to ensure
compliance with NFPA and OSHA requirements. |
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Preventive Maintenance |
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ERS
can assist in developing
a preventive maintenance program to specifically address arc flash
hazards. Our optimized preventive maintenance program evaluates the
equipment’s condition and determines the most cost-effective and
manageable solution to ensure your protective devices operate
properly, safely, and reliably–eliminating prolonged exposure to arc
flash, which could result in disabling injuries or death. |
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Electrical Safety Program
Review / Development |
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NFPA
70E requires every facility to establish an electrical safety
program. ERS can assist in reviewing or developing a
comprehensive electrical safety program that supports an overall
site safety program.
An effective program should include a certified training program,
awareness of electrical hazards and self-discipline of employees. It
should also identify hazard/risk evaluation procedures, electrically
safe work procedures, tools and PPE, and electrical safety
principles – particularly safety by design. As part of the overall
safety program, ERS can assist you in developing an effective safety
audit process, creating and maintaining a safety manual, and
planning and conducting safety meetings. |
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Training |
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An effective arc flash
training program should provide workers the knowledge and
understanding of the existence, nature, causes, and methods to
prevent electrical hazards. ERS’s arc flash training program
includes training on arc flash awareness, standards and codes,
understanding of arc flash quantities, selection and use of
appropriate PPE, reading and following warning signs and labels,
methods to reduce risk while working on live exposed parts, arc
flash hazard assessment, and documentation. |
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Personal Protective Equipment
Plan |
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ERS’s Personal Protective Equipment Plan
addresses all OSHA standards regarding PPE to ensure compliance.
Based on the findings of the arc flash analysis, ERS will provide
PPE category requirement and recommendations. We can also assist in
the selection and supply of recommended equipment on which workers
will be trained. Our team will address when the PPE is necessary and
what equipment is needed. ERS’s approach covers how PPE should be
worn, maintained, and disposed of after the equipment life has
expired. |
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Optional Annual
Re-certification |
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Ongoing arc flash hazard research and development
will likely produce, additions to arc flash requirements. As
modifications or expansions to your electrical distribution system
are made, or as changes occur in the electric utility system, it
will be necessary to update arc flash assessment information on a
regular basis. It will also be necessary to retrain workers on an
annual basis. ERS can provide annual follow-up site visits to ensure
continued compliance with applicable arc flash standards, practices,
and regulations. The site inspection includes a written report of
findings and recommendations. |
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Documentation |
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Proper documentation ensures compliance with OSHA
and NFPA standards and facilitates investigation should an arc flash
related injury occur. Thorough documentation is one of ERS’s
strengths. Our arc flash compliance plan consists of a customized
written report that includes the result of the arc flash analysis,
updated single-line drawings on electrical systems, signs and labels
on equipment and hazardous areas. Also included are the type,
name/ID, incident energy at working distances, flash protection
boundary, hazard/risk category, and other pertinent information such
as voltage, available fault current, protective device description
and its trip time, arc gap, and current. Documentation can also be
provided as part of the safety program and documentation of training
provided to workers. |
