The basics of arc flash
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An arc flash is caused by an arcing fault where electricity flows somewhere unintended, creating an electric arc that releases dangerous amounts of energy. Arc flashes cause severe burn injuries and cost millions in medical treatment. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and following safety regulations and standards can prevent arc flash injuries. Regulations require calculating arc flash hazards, using appropriate PPE based on hazard levels, training workers, and implementing safety programs with responsibilities and warning labels defined. Different levels of protective clothing are required depending on the estimated arc exposure intensity level. Selecting the proper flame-resistant clothing and other PPE can minimize worker injuries from electric arc accidents.
The basics of arc flash
- 1. The Basics of Arc Flash Protection
- 2. What is an Arc-Flash? An arc flash starts with an arcing fault. An arcing fault can be defined as the flow of current through a path where it is not intended to flow. The current creates an electric arc plasma and releases dangerous amounts of energy An electric arc is the passage of substantial electrical current through ionized air and gases. www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 7. www.nationalsafetyinc.com Clothed areas can be more severely burned than exposed skin!
- 8. The Costs of Burn Injury Personal •Burns are one of the most painful injuries a human can experience •Burn victims often seek psychological care •Rehabilitation is a slow and difficult process Financial •Medical costs quickly accumulate due to years of treatment •Rehabilitation costs can exceed 1 million US$ per person www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 10. Arc Blast Hazards • Up to 80% of all electrical injuries are burns resulting from an arc flash and ignition of FLAMABLE clothing • Approximately 1 person dies daily in the U.S. from arc blasts, and 6-7 people are admitted to hospitals for associated injuries • Pressure waves associated with Arc Blasts can: • Vaporize copper, expanding it 67,000 times its initial volume • Create a sonic boom condition • There is a known case where a utility cabinet door was blown off the hinges and embedded in a concrete wall 1.5 inches 10 feet away from the utility cabinet. www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 12. HOW TO PREVENT ARC FLASH Regulations and Standards Several industry standards concern the prevention of arc flash incidents: •OSHA 29 - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910 Subpart S. •NFPA 70-2002 - National Electrical Code. •NFPA 70E-2000 - Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. •IEEE Standard 1584-2002 - Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations. www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 13. WISHA 6 Point Plan Compliance with the latest OSHA standards involves adherence to a six-point plan: •A facility must provide, and be able to demonstrate a safety program with defined responsibilities. •Calculations for the degree of arc flash hazard. •Correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers. •Training for workers on the hazards of arc flash. •Appropriate tools for safe working. •Warning labels on equipment. •Companies will be cited and fined for not complying with these standards. www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 14. NFPA 70E promotes establishing electrically safe work conditions by... • 1. Identifying all power sources • 2. Interrupting the load and disconnecting power • 3. Visually verifying that a disconnect has opened the circuit • 4. Locking out and tagging the circuit • 5. Testing for voltage • 6. Grounding all power conductors www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 15. How can we prevent arc flash when we have to work on or near energized parts? Special situations: • Interruption of life support equipment • Deactivation of emergency alarm systems • Shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment • Removal of illumination for an area A. Use written permit system for planning & conducting work in these situations B. Use the appropriate tools for voltage and current levels when performing all electrical work www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 16. NFPA 70E - Key PPE Steps • Determine Arc Flash Protection Boundary • Conduct Arc Flash Hazard Analysis • Select Required “FR Clothing” & “PPE” Based on Specific Hazard Present Within Flash Protection Boundary www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 17. Personal Protective Equipment Select Required “FR Clothing” & “PPE” Based on Specific Hazard Present Within Flash Protection Boundary www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 18. What Types Of Arc Protective Flame Resistant Garments Are Available? Basic FR Clothing Options •Shirts – Knit and Woven – Short and Long Sleeve • Pants – Uniform – Dress – Jeans • Coveralls www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 19. Cold and Inclement Weather FR Clothing Options • Rain wear • Lined and Unlined Jackets • Fleece Sweatshirts and Sweatpants • Insulated Overalls and Coveralls • Insulated Parkas • Long Underwear and Socks • Hoods/Balaclavas • Vests www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 20. FR Garment Examples Category 1 www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 21. FR Garment Examples Category 2 www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 22. FR Garment Examples Category 3 and 4 www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 23. FR Clothing Selection Criteria • Protection • Wearer Comfort • Durability • Flame Resistance Durability • Garment Wear Life • Cost Effectiveness • Initial Cost • Life Cycle Cost • Ease of Care / Appearance www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 24. In Summary • Burn Injuries From Electric Arc Exposures Can Be Fatal or Can Severely Injure the Worker • Based on Known Electrical Parameters and Work Practices, Arc Exposure Intensity Can Be Estimated for the Hazard, hence job tasks listed and recommendations on PPE to wear. • Based On Estimated Arc Exposure Intensity, Appropriate Protective Clothing Selections Can Be Made To Minimize Worker Burn Injury Levels In The Event Of An Electric Arc Accident • In Many Situations, Layering of FR Clothing Is Required to Match Electric Arc Hazard Energy Levels www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 25. Rain wear with Non-Meltable Substrate Rain wear with Meltable Substrate (ASTM F-1891) www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 26. REMEMBER • The Outermost Garment Must Be Flame and Arc Resistant • Meltable Substrates Can Increase Worker Injury Other Considerations • Face Shields Rated for Arc Hazard • Hearing Protection Rated for Arc Hazard • Hand and Foot Protection Rated for Arc Hazard www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 27. Exposure Energy Basics • Exposure Energy is Expressed in cal/cm2 • Measured Using Thermal Sensors • 1 cal/cm2 » the Exposure on the Tip of a Finger by a Cigarette Lighter in 1 Second An Exposure Energy of 1 to 2 cal/cm2 Will Cause a 2nd Degree Burn on Human Skin www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 28. Definitions • ARC RATING - The maximum incident energy resistance demonstrated by a material PRIOR TO BREAKOPEN OR AT THE ONSET OF A SECOND DEGREE BURN. A 1st Degree Burn or less is the goal during an electrical arc flash. • HRC - Hazard Risk Category. Current categories that apply to workers are Level 0-4. Remember 4, 8, 25, 40! • FLAT PANEL TESTING - This is how our fabrics are tested and how the calorie rating is found (breakthrough threshold). • CALORIE/CM² - This is a measurement of ENERGY. A Cigarette lighter placed under your finger for 1 second equals roughly a 1 calorie burn. www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 29. What is a Calorie? – A Calorie is a measurement of energy, similar to labels on food products – A 100 cal/cm² blast can reach temperatures of up to 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit in the center, and 11,000 degrees on the perimeter www.nationalsafetyinc.com
- 30. Arc Hazard Exposure Levels • Category 0 – N/A • Category 1 – 4 cal/cm²* • Category 2 – 8 cal/cm²* • Category 3 – 25 cal/cm²* • Category 4 – 40 cal/cm²* • Over 40 cal – Recommended to re-engineer system to a lower rating. • * Req'd minimum Rating of PPE. • 1.2 cal/cm² is the ONSET of a second degree burn • PPE Levels are the maximum at each exposure category www.nationalsafetyinc.com
Editor's Notes
- #2: Note: This PowerPoint is provided free. Feel free to use it as is or adapt it in any way you need to. The materials available on this presentation are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. National Safety, Inc. does not warrant the accuracy of information and will not be held responsible to any accidents or any misuse of information. Please confirm all information prior to training. The trainer presenting this information is responsible to make sure that it is accurate.
- #5: Answer: All of these are considered confined spaces.
- #15: Whenever possible, push ventilation is preferable as it dilutes the air in the confined space faster than pull ventilation (Think of a leaf blower as opposed to a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner only affects the items in its immediate vicinity whereas a leaf blower moves leaves in a wide arc). Pull ventilation, however, has its uses. When, for example, welding is being done, a fume exhaust removes the fumes locally, at the source of the problem. Rather than blowing the fumes over a wide area, the fumes are immediately captured and extracted so that the rest of the air isn’t contaminated. Other instances where pull ventilation would be preferable are in areas where there is only one entry/exit or where heavier than air gases might be present. By running a hose down to the bottom of the confined space and sucking out the bad air which is below the good air, good air is pulled into the confined space. In this instance, blowing clean air in would take much longer to dissipate the fumes or vapors. If combustible gases are present, there is the extra consideration of making sure that all ventilation systems and blowers are intrinsically safe.