Lorraine
Carli, NFPA Public Affairs Office +1 617-984-7275; lcarli@nfpa.org
PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 17 October 2006 - Ferraz Shawmut, a leading
circuit protection manufacturer, has contributed $500,000 to the research and
testing initiative being conducted by IEEE and the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). This program seeks to build a better understanding of arc
flash hazards and how to protect electrical workers against them. In addition,
Duke Energy Foundation and Salisbury each donated $50,000 each.
Total contributions
to the multi-year, $6.5 million IEEE/NFPA Arc Flash Collaborative Research and
Testing Project now stand at $1.9 million. Additional donations are being sought
from electrical utilities, equipment manufacturers, professional associations,
safety-related agencies, insurers and others concerned with the safety of electrical
workers.
The need for the initiative is evident in the many reports on
arc flash phenomena. The US Department of Labor and Electricite de France, for
instance, cite arc flash as causing an inordinate number of electrical worker
deaths and serious injuries. One major corporation found that up to 80 percent
of its electrical injuries involve thermal burns due to arcing faults.
"Since
we have the 'protection of components, systems and the people who use them' at
the heart of our mission statement, it is only natural we take a leading role
in this important initiative," says Ken Hooper, Senior Vice President at
Ferraz Shawmut. "We are thrilled to be part of this endeavor and look forward
to contributing to its success in creating a safer industrial workplace. Our participation
builds on years of research into arc flash phenomena. We are pleased that our
prior work can contribute to this effort."
More than 2,000 test protocols
are planned for the IEEE/NFPA Arc Flash Collaborative Research and Testing Project.
These will create deeper insight into arc flash and arc blast phenomena as regards
thermal energy, pressure and sound waves, shrapnel, the toxicity of gases released,
and energy radiated at many wavelengths. It also will look at how enclosures affect
the energy released in arcing faults.
The program will yield many dividends.
Beyond improving worker safety, it will help employers become more efficient and
productive and lower workers' compensation claims and premiums. Insurance carriers
should see fewer claims for injuries and property damage. The information developed
also will help electrical equipment and personal protective equipment manufacturers
create better products.
Data from the project will enable IEEE to expand
IEEE 1584™, "Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations",
which helps designers and operators determine arc flash hazard distance and energy
exposure. Similarly, it will help NFPA enhance NFPA 70E, "Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace", which offers guidelines in areas such as training,
hazard evaluation, work conditions and personal protective clothing.
In
addition to Ferraz Shawmut, other major contributors to the project are Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and Bruce Power, each of which gave $500,000, and Hydro
One Networks, which gave $250,000.
Those interested in learning more about
or contributing to the IEEE/NFPA Arc Flash Collaborative Research and Testing
Project should contact either Sue Vogel at IEEE (732-562-3817, s.vogel@ieee.org)
or Mark Earley at NFPA (617-984-7400, mwearley@nfpa.org).
A prospectus on the project is available online.
About
the National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association
has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life
safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization
is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of
life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training,
and education.
About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body,
develops consensus standards through an open process that brings diverse parts
of an industry together. These standards set specifications and procedures based
on current scientific consensus. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of more than 870
completed standards and more than 400 standards in development. For information
on IEEE-SA visit our website.
About IEEE
IEEE has more than 375,000 members in approximately
150 countries. Through its members, the organization is a leading authority on
areas ranging from aerospace, computers and telecommunications to biomedicine,
electric power and consumer electronics. IEEE produces nearly 30 percent of
the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering, computing
and control technology fields. This nonprofit organization also sponsors or cosponsors
more than 300 technical conferences each year. Visit the IEEE website for Additional information about the
IEEE.
