| Here's the Arc Flash issue in a nutshell... | | | | |
| | | | Several Engineering firms have stepped up to |
| The United States Department of Labor's OSHA | | | | provide the needed "Arc Flash Analysis". |
| (Occupational Safety and Health | | | | However, as always, many are in it for the |
| Administration) requires that all companies | | | | "Big Bucks", be careful to choose an |
| or "Non-Dwelling" facilities have an Arc | | | | engineering firm that will provide just the |
| Flash Analysis done on the entire electrical | | | | needed basics and not try to trick you into |
| system to determine several important bits of | | | | getting un-needed services or products. OSHA |
| information. That information has to be | | | | requires that you only have completed and Arc |
| placed in clear view on each electrical panel | | | | Flash Analysis to determine the Level of arc |
| using the ANSI z535 approved "Arc Flash | | | | flash hazard, the arc flash boundary |
| Warning Label". | | | | distance, and the amount of personal |
| | | | protection equipment a worker should use, |
| Since 2002 this regulation has been in place | | | | along with placing that information on an |
| but OSHA has allowed companies to slide until | | | | ANSI approved label on each required panel. |
| now, giving companies enough time to get in | | | | |
| compliance. Now, after these few years of | | | | Stay away from firms trying to sell you |
| waiting, OSHA has begun checking to see if in | | | | services such as providing a "One Line |
| fact it has been done! A trip to the OSHA | | | | Diagram", Evaluating your existing electrical |
| website will yield several serious fines that | | | | system for downsizing breakers and fuses, ( |
| have been levied against violators! Up to a | | | | the national electrical code, NFPA, allows |
| half a million dollars is allow as a maximum | | | | upsizing for future expansion) along with |
| fine for a corporation, should that | | | | many other un-needed and not required high |
| corporation be found "Not in Compliance". | | | | cost services. |