Hazards arc flash

Hoagland H. Flame resistant textiles for electric arc flash hazards. In Kihnc FS, editor. Handbook of fire resistant textiles. Oxford Woodhead Publishing 2013. p. 549-80. 

The approach limit at a distance from a prospective arc source or arc flash hazard within which an individual could receive a second-degree burn if an electrical arc flash incident occurs. 

Arc Flash Videos were conducted at independent certified laboratories. The goal was to create real-life arc flashes using common 480-volt equipment to help companies better understand the magnitude of the arc flash hazards that exist in nearly every facility in the world and highlight the importance of complying with the NFPA 70E standard. Westex Inc., www.westexinc.com. Circle 325... 

IEEE Stds 1584-2002, 1584a-2004 (Amendment 1 to IEEE Std 1584-2002), and 1584b-2011 (Amendment 2 Changes to Clause 4 of IEEE Std 1584-2002), IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. 

A. The employer must assess the workplace for arc-flash hazards by the effective date of the final rule. In addition, the employer must ensure that employees do not wear clothing that could melt onto their skin or that could ignite and continue to burn by the effective date of the final rule. By January 1,2015, the employer must make reasonable estimates of incident energy. Finally, the employer must provide protective clothing and other protective equipment meeting the arc-flash protection requirements of the final rule by April 1,2015. 

Metlon Corporation, the Cranston, Rl-based authorized distributor of SM " Scotchfite Reflective Matoial, has added to its product line the latest reflective solutions launched. The SM " Scotchfite Reflective Mataial-8735 Flame Resistant Transfa Film and 3M Reflective Material - 9740 Industrial Wash Flame Resistant Transfa Film offer protection fiom heat flame and arc flash hazards with the benefit of stitchless bonding for enhanced comfort and durability. 

The nature of an arc flash hazard and the terrible injuries it can inflict, coupled with the unpredictabiUty of circuit protection equipment, makes arc flash protection challenging and all that more important. Here are six tips to help protect your people. 

Arc flash hazards must be identified, labeled and reduced. 

When performing an arc flash hazard analysis, do not stop at some predetermined, arbitrary point. 

Analyze and calculate hazards for equipment on the plant floor used to make your product or provide your service. Do not focus solely on large distribution equipment like switchgear, bus ducts, and large circuit-breaker panels. OSHA requires a hazard assessment must be com pleted wherever a hazard might exist. Based on research from all arc flash analyses performed by Lewellyn Technology, we have concluded that over 60 percent of arc flash hazards were found to be in the downstream equipment on the plant floor, not in the distribution equipment. 

Remote circuit breaker racking enables service personnel to stand outside the arc flash protection boundary while racking low and medium voltage draw-out circuit breakers, reducing the need for a full-body arc flash hazard suit due to the increased distance the remote racking system offers. 

Training in NFPA 70 E will provide employees the knowledge in electrical shock and arc flash hazard analysis in the hazard risk category. In addition, instructions are provided for arc flash protection boundaries, how to approach energized electrical conductors and circuit parts, voltage and cal ratings and proper PPE needed to perform the specific task. 

OSHA regulations 1910.302-308 and 1910.331-335 require fhat all "non-dwelling" facilities have an arc flash hazard analysis done to determine the presence of a flash hazard, the arc flash boundary, and the level of PPE required. 

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