Arc Flash & Electrical Safety News
Blog Author Steve Hudgik
Monday, October 31, 2011
What Information Does NFPA 70E 2012 Require On Arc Flash Labels?
NFPA 70E 2012 is now in effect. What information does it require on arc flash labels?
The 2009 edition of NFPA 70E required that labels have either the available incident energy or the minimum arc flash rating for the PPE to be used. Plus every label had to have the arc flash boundary, nominal system voltage and the date of the arc flash analysis. If you have labels with this information, that were applied prior to October 1, 2011, those labels may remain. However, they must fully comply with NFPA 70E 2009.
We recommend that labeling throughout a facility be consistent. The same formant and information should be included on every label of the same type. So when someone looks at a warning label they know what to expect, what they are seeing means, and exactly where to look for the needed information. For this reason we recommend replacing all arc flash labels when you reach the point at which new arc flash labels must be used in any location in your facility.
The NFPA 70E 2012 code requires the following:
At least one of the following must be included:
- Available incident energy and corresponding working distance
- The highest hazard or risk category (NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) and Table 130.7(C)(16) for the description of the PPE.
- The minimum arc rating of required clothing
- The minimum required level of PPE
In addition the nominal system voltage and arc flash boundary must be included.
Your existing arc flash label may already be compliant with NFPA 70E 2012, and no changes are required. However, NFPA 70E 2012 provides greater flexibility allowing you to use labels that, for your facility, are more effective and easier to understand.
Your existing arc flash label may already be compliant with NFPA 70E 2012, and no changes are required. However, NFPA 70E 2012 provides greater flexibility allowing you to use labels that, for your facility, are more effective and easier to understand.
Labels: Arc Flash Labeling, NFPA 70E
posted by Steve Hudgik |
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6 Comments:
I found your site via RSS feed and it's something I hadn't considered writing about.
L&S Electric provides arc flash surveys so I've provided information on the NFPA guidelines, but honestly hadn't considered a post about proper and consistent labels.
Well done!
I am a little confused. California is working off the 2008 NEC which references 2004 NFPA 70E. The 2011 NEC references the 2009 NFPA 70E which California will not adopt until 2014.It seems right now that I would comply with the 2004 NFPA 70E per the 2008 NEC?????
Thanks for your comment anonymous. For labeling, you can comply with NFPA 70E 2012 and that will put you in compliance with all previous versions. Previous versions do not limit what information can be on the label.
However, when it comes to other changes in NFPA 70E maybe someone else can comment on what to do in your situation.
I do not see these tables in NFPA 70E 2012 for labeling requirements.
NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(11) or Table 130.7(C)(9)(a))
Anonymous: Thank you for the comment and for catching this. It was my error. I used old table numbers. I have corrected the post. Table 130.7(C)15(a) gives the hazard risk categories, as well as showing whether insulated gloves and hard tools are required. Table 130.7(C)(16) describes the PPE for each category. My apologies.
The points to be included in The NFPA 70E 2012 code stated is running as on today’s date. The clothing factors are directly associated with the Protective Equipments and they too become a part of the whole processes. NFPA 70E was first published in 1979 and now it has changed with better innovations…
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