FAQs

Arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy caused by a fault or short circuit in an electrical system. It creates intense heat, bright light, and a pressure wave that can seriously injure workers and damage equipment. Arc flash events can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun and may result in severe burns, fires, or explosions. Arc flash hazards are most common in electrical panels, switchgear, and industrial power systems. Identifying arc flash risks and implementing proper safety measures helps protect people, reduce downtime, and meet electrical safety standards such as NFPA 70E.

Alpha Arc Flash is an electrical safety company specializing in arc flash risk assessment, coordination studies, safety training, PPE selection, equipment labeling, and hazard mitigation services for industrial, commercial, and utility customers. Alpha Arc Flash helps organizations identify electrical hazards, reduce risk, and improve compliance with safety standards such as NFPA 70E, protecting both people and critical equipment.

An arc flash assessment identifies electrical hazards in your facility and calculates incident energy levels and arc flash boundaries. This information is used to determine the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), apply accurate equipment labels, and protect workers from serious injury. An assessment also helps organizations meet electrical safety and regulatory requirements, reduce liability, and support safer work practices. In addition, it provides data that can guide engineering solutions to lower arc flash risk and improve overall electrical system safety.

Our work follows NFPA 70E for electrical safety in the workplace and IEEE 1584 for arc flash hazard calculations. We also comply with applicable OSHA electrical safety standards. In addition, we consider local electrical codes, utility requirements, and site-specific conditions to ensure accurate, compliant, and practical results for each facility.

An arc flash study typically includes a site survey of electrical equipment and a review of available one-line drawings. The study evaluates the electrical system through short-circuit and coordination studies to understand how protective devices operate during a fault. It also includes arc flash incident energy calculations and arc flash boundary determinations, along with equipment labeling to communicate hazards clearly. The final deliverable is a written report that documents findings and provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce risk and improve electrical safety.

NFPA 70E recommends that an arc flash study be reviewed and updated whenever changes occur in the electrical system, such as equipment upgrades, setting changes, or system expansions. As a best practice, many organizations update their arc flash studies every 3–5 years, or sooner if modifications are made, to ensure hazard data remains accurate and workers stay protected.

The duration of an arc flash assessment depends on the size and complexity of the facility. Small facilities typically take 1–3 days, while medium-sized facilities may require 3–7 days. Large facilities or multi-site programs can take several weeks to a few months, which includes field data collection, analysis, report preparation, and equipment labeling.

To complete an accurate arc flash assessment, we typically request the following: • Single-line electrical diagrams, if available, to verify device counts and feeder information • Equipment nameplate data, including a unique identifier for each piece of equipment • Protective device settings, if accessible, such as time-current characteristic (TCC) curves • Access to all electrical equipment for field data collection and arc flash labeling If some information is unavailable, we can often collect or verify it during the site visit.

Arc flash labels are created using SKM software to calculate incident energy levels and arc flash boundaries for each piece of electrical equipment. These calculations are based on system data, protective device settings, and industry standards. From this information, the required PPE category or incident energy value is determined, and durable, code-compliant labels are produced. Each label clearly displays hazard information to help workers understand risks and follow proper electrical safety procedures.

Arc flash labels are required under NFPA 70E, which establishes electrical safety requirements for the workplace. While NFPA 70E itself is not a law, OSHA strongly enforces its principles under the employer’s obligation to provide a safe workplace. Proper arc flash labeling helps employers meet regulatory expectations, reduce liability, and clearly communicate electrical hazards, improving worker safety and compliance.

The required personal protective equipment (PPE) depends on the calculated incident energy or the applicable NFPA 70E arc flash PPE category for each location. Typical arc flash PPE may include arc-rated clothing, face shields, balaclavas, voltage-rated gloves, insulating tools, and hearing protection. The exact PPE level for each piece of equipment is determined and clearly identified on the arc flash label and in the study documentation.

Scheduling a consultation is easy. Contact Alpha Arc Flash through our website contact form,(https://tjwebsolutions.wixsite.com/alphaarcflash/contact-8) email us at Info@AlphaArcFlash.com,(mailto:Info@AlphaArcFlash.com) or call our office at (803) 601-9526 to speak with a member of our team. We’ll review your needs and help determine the right electrical safety services for your facility.