Mike Holt - Arc Flash/Electrical Safety Inspection Policy

This article was posted 09/27/2012 and is most likely outdated.

Arc Flash/Electrical Safety Inspection Policy

Arc Flash/Electrical Safety Inspection Policy

The following is a policy created by the Fire Marshal (Anthony C. Apfelbeck) and Inspectors (Ed Conklin and Glenn Phillippi) of Altamonte Springs, FL for Arc Flash/Electrical Safety. It outlines procedures to be followed any time the inspector will be working around electrical components as part of a routine inspection.

After soliciting the governmental building/electrical inspection providers and risk managers throughout Florida for any type of electrical safety guideline for inspectors they found that there were no existing policies at all on the issue of electrical safety for inspectors. So, what they have created is completely developed from scratch. They have referenced NFPA 70E, OSHA recommended practices and other relevant training programs where they could in creating this guideline while keeping in mind the role of the inspector.

This final version has been distributed on the Building Officials Association of Florida discussion group and has received some feedback from other jurisdictions that received it saying they are implementing the described practices. As this is cutting completely new ground, they are open to any suggestions for improvements based on some actual field experience.

Please take some time to review this document by clicking here. If your state is lacking a similar policy feel free to use this as a guide to follow suit by breaking new safety ground in your area.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. You can 'post a comment' to this newsletter or contact Anthony directly.

Anthony C. Apfelbeck, CFPS, CBO
Fire Marshal/Building Official
City of Altamonte Springs
ACApfelbeck@Altamonte.org

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Comments

one thing i noticed was the issuance of cotton garments which is a violation of the NFPA70E. Arc Flash rated clothing is required depending on incident voltage and exposure. Opening a panel to expose live parts requires more than just a cotton shirt. It requires FR rated clothing.Also did not see any issuance of hearing protection also required to protect an employee from the dB caused by sound pressure wave if an event were to occur. Email me if you want several plans from similar employers. 25yrs performing EHS-BS Safety Engineering each RIT

mrsafetyman September 28 2012, 12:30 pm EDT

Reply from: James Cole October 2 2012, 9:42 am EDT
NFPA 70E 2012 permits cotton clothing for Hazard category 0 if the cal/cm2 are 1.2 or less.This is the onset of a 2nd degree burn. Clothing with an FR rating must be arc rated on the label.See article 130.7(C)(9) for the arc rating change page 70E-29. Hazard/Risk Category for clothing is found on page 39 and 40. All hazard categories require ear canal inserts hearing protection.

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