AN INTRODUCTION TO: ARC FLASH STUDIES
Determining your safety needs.
BENEFITS
Safer workplace for
personnel.
Hazard labels for electrical
distribution equipment.
Reduction in employee
downtime resulting from
injuries.
Documented report with
study conclusions and
recommendations.
Potential for insurance
incentives, such as discounts
or credits.
Updated single-line
document for your facility.
ARC FLASH TASKS
Identify the risk of personnel
injury as a result of exposure
to incident energy released
during an arc flash event
for each specific electrical
component.
Identify the current
appropriate ratings of
personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Establish the Flash
Protection Boundary
(approach limit distance) as
required by NFPA 70E and
CSA Z462.
Place arc-flash hazard
warning labels on electrical
distribution equipment.
Provide methods for
mitigating the hazard risk,
where applicable, in order to
reduce PPE ratings.
Provide a full report.
Provide training to owners,
personnel, and electricians
(if required).
What are Arc Flash Hazards?
Workers are exposed to arc flash hazards any time they open live electrical panels
with a voltage exceeding 50V. Workers most commonly open live electrical panels
for the purposes of troubleshooting and metering.
All buildings have arc flash hazards. An arc flash event can result in large amounts
of rapid energy transfer. In an arc flash event, it only takes a fraction of a second
to produce: fire, severe burns, explosions, hearing and/or vision loss, and even
fatality. The cost of treatment for the injured worker can exceed one million
dollars per case.
How Can I Protect My Workers Against Arc Flash?
Workers can be protected against existing arc flash hazards by wearing personal
protective equipment (PPE) that is appropriate for the level of hazard. In
some cases, workers can be further protected by implementing equipment
modifications to reduce the arc flash hazard present.
How Can I Determine the Right Type of PPE for my Workers?
To determine the appropriate PPE for your workers who work on live electrical
panels, you and your workers need to understand the hazard (incident energy)
that may occur at each piece of equipment. This can be determined through
the use of look up tables in CSA Z462 or it can be determined through an arc
flash study in which a model of your electrical system is prepared to quantify the
hazard present at each piece of electrical equipment.
Why Should I Consider an Arc Flash Study?
An arc flash study is the most accurate way to assess the arc flash hazards in your
facility. Another key advantage to completing an arc flash study is that it provides
clear documentation that the hazard level has been assessed, documented, and
this information is clearly accessible to your workers. After an arc flash study is
completed, a hazard label is placed on each piece of equipment to quantify the
hazard. This will enable your workers to determine the correct class of PPE to
wear based on the level of hazard that exists.
In some cases, an arc flash study may identify individual pieces of equipment
with a particularly high arc flash hazard. In these cases, mitigation strategies can
be reviewed to reduce the arc flash risk present in your facility, which can reduce
the amount of PPE required to keep your workers safe.
THE ARC FLASH STUDY PROCESS
Our Services:
Data Collection and Electrical System Verification
During the data collection stage, we work with a qualified electrician to collect detailed information on your electrical
system. This procedure allows us to confirm and validate your single line drawing and is used as a basis to model your
electrical power system.

Programming and Calculation

Programming is used to simulate your electrical power system. Calculating the incident energy at each piece of
equipment takes into account the available fault current, personal protective equipment rating, and the flash protection
boundary. This procedure is accomplished using computer software that applies the latest arc flash industry standards.

Result Analysis
In order to ensure the accuracy of the final result, we comprehensively analyze many factors, such as the system setting,
the short current and arc fault current values, protective device tripping time, and protective device coordination. We
will also investigate potential arc flash hazards and provide recommendations.

Labelling and Final Report

Clearly legible arc flash hazard warning labels are recommended for all electrical panels in the facility as well as any
other equipment that is subject to possible maintenance and worker exposure. The labels identify the incident energy;
limited and restricted approach distances; the flash protection boundary distance; and the shock hazard when a cover
is removed. Following labelling, a final arc flash study report will be prepared. The report offers an overall view of our
study, including conclusions and recommendations which are helpful for the owner to improve the electrical system
and mitigate arc flash hazards. We provide high quality labels which are suitable for outdoor applications.

Training
Our arc flash expert can provide training to the owners personnel and electricians. This includes learning to read arc
flash hazard warning labels and understanding basic knowledge of arc flash hazards as well as methods to mitigate arc
flash hazards during maintenance.

WHY WALTERFEDY?
WalterFedy has been in business since 1951 and has over 10 years experience completing arc flash studies. We have
completed arc flash studies for a broad range of building types including: industrial, commercial, healthcare and
educational. Our arc flash study is comprehensive and meets the requirements of CSA, NFPA 70E, and IEEE 1584. The
study is suitable for all types of existing, updated, or newly constructed electrical power systems. Because WalterFedy
does not sell electrical equipment, we offer an objective evaluation of your facility that is not motivated by our desire
to sell replacement equipment.

Contact us today:

675 Queen Street South, Suite 111

Kitchener, Ontario N2M 1A1
T: 519-576-2150 | F: 519-576-5499
www.walterfedy.com | communications@walterfedy.com