Arc flash warning label requirements continue to evolve. Here is a brief history from 2004 through 2012.
2004 Edition
Just a basic warning label
2009 Edition
Warning label with either the available incident energy or the required level of PPE
2012 Draft - not used
Warning label with either the available incident energy or the minimum arc rating of clothing along with the date of the analysis, nominal system voltage and the arc flash boundary.
2012 Edition of NFPA 70E is finally here and the new requirements are:
Pick at least one:
- Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance
- Minimum arc rating of clothing
- Required level of PPE
- Highest Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) for the equipment
- Nominal system voltage
- Arc flash boundary
Exception: Labels applied prior to September 30, 2011,
are acceptable if they contain the available incident energy
or required level of PPE.
As many forum visitors know, I have been pretty vocal about the restrictive nature of “either / or” language found in the 2009 edition and even in the proposed 2012 draft that did not make it.
The new language for the 2012 edition gives the ability to list incident energy, arc rating, levels and categories. You do not have to list them all - and it is a good idea not to, but the option is there.
Much better! A huge thank you goes out to the NFPA 70E committee for this one!
So here is this week’s question: (finally
)When it comes to the 2012 NFPA 70E requirements for defining PPE, which of the following will you be using on your labels from now on for defining PPE
- Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance
- Minimum arc rating of clothing
- Required level of PPE
- Highest Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) for the equipment