New codes mean BIG changes to Arc Flash Warning Labels

One year ago this month ITU published its’ second newsletter, “Arc Flash Warning Labels” (Vol.1 Issue 2). It gave a quick overview of what information was required on your warning labels and few examples of non-compliant arc flash warning labels commonly found in facilities across the country.

All the information in that newsletter is still good today. However, a few things have been added to the warning label and will become law as of this month.

NEC (National Electrical Code) still mandates that hazardous equipment installed or modified after 2002 be required to carry an arc flash warning label. NEC 110.16 specifically mentions “switchboards, panel boards, industrial control panels, and motor control centers that … are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized.”

NFPA 70E 2009 (National Fire Protection Agency) requires that one of two specific pieces of information appear on arc flash warning labels: available incident energy or required level of PPE (personal protection equipment). These values are determined by an arc flash hazard analysis (available through ITU), and need to be calculated separately for each piece of equipment labeled.

NFPA 70E also states that arc flash warning labels must be the proper size (at least 4”x 6”), ANSI Z535 approved, and be placed so as to be visible to personnel before beginning maintenance or inspection.

The details of the three new additions: available fault current, the date the arc fault calculation was performed, and label durability specifications are highlighted (yellow) in the list below.

A. These durable UV and chemical resistant 3.2 mil laminated vinyl labels include a High-Tack adhesive and rounded corners to prevent peeling. The life span of these labels is 5 years in normal conditions and are capable of withstanding temperatures beyond 165 °F and -50 °F. Sufficient label durability is now a requirement as of the November 2011 NEC (National Electrical Code) update and ITU’s arc flash warning labels more than exceed this requirement.

B. Flash Hazard Category: Represents the level of danger depending on the incident energy. Ratings range in number from 0-4. 0 represents little or no risk while 4 signifies greatest risk. For more information about the different arc flash hazard risk categories click here.

C. Minimum Arc Rating: Identifies the arc performance of a material or system of materials (PPE) and are expressed in calories per centimeter squared.

D. PPE: Identifies the Personal Protective Equipment that MUST be used according to the hazard category rating.

E. Equipment ID: Identifies panel location within facility.

F. Arc flash warning labels must have the word “WARNING” in black with an orange background and include the standard warning symbol (orange exclamation point with solid black triangle background).

G. Flash Protection Boundary: This is the closest anyone can approach the equipment that has the potential for arc flash, without the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

H. Limited Approach Boundary: This boundary may only be crossed by a “qualified” person who has been trained in the hazards of the component or equipment being serviced.

I. Restricted Approach Boundary and Prohibited Approach Boundary: Only a qualified person using adequate shock prevention equip¬ment and techniques may cross these boundaries.

J. Maximum Available Fault Current: This is one of the new NEC required features as of November 2011. All the required safety information provided on the label is based on the max. available fault current. If the system is altered in any way resulting in this value to change than the data must be re-evaluated.

Companies or utilities will often make changes in the electrical system to be more efficient or to increase capacity. When this is done the max. available fault current changes. As a result the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) category and the approach boundary information becomes inaccurate and is no longer compliant. Inaccurate information could easily result in serious injury or even death in which the company would be held liable for.

K. The date that the fault current calculation was performed should be on the label. 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. (NFPA 70E section 130.5)

NEC has made an exception to these three additions. Those that have had an arc flash analysis performed prior to September 2011 with arc flash warning labels that are less than five years old shall be exempt. However, the labels must be updated and include these additions when the existing arc flash warning labels expire. The exception does require documentation of  “the method of calculating and data to support the information for the arc flash warning label.”

Feel free to call ITU if you have any questions: 866-851-9993

Footnote: NEC logo is property of the National Fire Protection Association