PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 24 January 2005 - The
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and IEEE
have agreed to collaborate on an initiative to gain
deeper insight into arc-flash phenomena and the hazards
they pose for those working on or near electrical
equipment operating at or above 50 volts. The data
and information generated by this research and testing
program will go to strengthen electrical safety standards
and code processes.
The first phase of the program will result in a plan
to define new information needed regarding arc flash
events and what research is required to obtain it.
The plan is expected to be delivered by mid 2005.
The agreement between the two organizations sets up
a steering committee that will, in part, seek funding
from industry and government sources to carry out
the plan.
The joint program will evaluate existing test protocols
and create new ones, as necessary, to understand how
arc-flash energy can affect the human body and clothing.
This energy includes hot gases and other characteristics,
including pressure, acoustic and electromagnetic energy,
such as ultraviolet, infrared and x-ray radiation.
The program will also look at other factors, including
how energy varies with distance from the arc and how
energy transfers from an arc to its surroundings in
ways that might cause injuries.
"The initiative defined in this landmark agreement
between IEEE and the NFPA is designed to give
the industry more effective tools for dealing with
arc-flash events," says Judy Gorman, Managing
Director of the IEEE Standards Association. "FroM IEEE's perspective, it will give us the technical
foundation to take our arc- flash standard to a new
level.
The data generated will help us guide further testing
and create more accurate arc flash engineering calculations
that can then be used in designing safer equipment
and work environments." From the NFPA's perspective,
Bob Vondrasek, NFPA Vice President, Codes and Standards
Operation, says the two organizations agreed to collaborate
for the good of industries concerned about arc flash.
"As the two primary bodies involved in arc-flash
standards," he continued, "we established
the commitment and trust to conduct a program to look
deeper into arc-flash events. This to will enable
the NFPA to give workers updated tables and references
they need to protect themselves from arc-flash hazards
when they work with live equipment at different electrical
loads."
The research and testing plan to be developed by
the steering committee will include test protocols,
specifications for test instruments, and instrument
placement relative to an arc. Test protocols may include
those that account for arcing time, working distance,
frequency, voltage, current, AC/DC bus spacing, electrode
gap and placement, and enclosure size, shape and grounding,
among other factors.
"This will be a practical program with extensive
testing to compare and verify physics-based calculations
against empirically derived calculations," says
Bruce McClung, Vice-chair of the IEEE 1584 Working
Group. "It will be based on real-world data and
consider such factors as how the equipment orientation
in an enclosure and enclosure openings affect the
energy released in an arcing fault. This will help
us provide guidance for reengineering safer electrical
equipment and systems that reduce the potential for
arc flash."
According to Ray Jones, Chair of the NFPA 70E Working
Group, "This program should have a huge payoff
in preventing injuries. It will yield standards for
the industrial, commercial and utility electric power
industries that more closely reflect arc-flash and
arc-blast experience in the workplace. These standards
will allow the industry to take steps to prevent or
mitigate hazards and help workers protect themselves
against the possibility of injury."
The NFPA/IEEE initiative builds on existing standards,
especially:
IEEE 1584™, "IEEE Guide for Performing
Arc Flash Calculations", which identifies ways to determine arc-flash hazard distance
and the incident energy workers can be exposed to when they work on
or near electrical equipment.
NFPA 70E, "Standard for Electrical Safety
in the Workplace", which is a national, consensus standard that addresses the
full range of electrical safety issues, including arc flash hazards. The standard
covers work practices, equipment maintenance, special equipment
requirements and installation requirements needed for personnel safety.
About the National Fire Protection Association
NFPA 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 scientifically-based consensus codes
and standards, research, training and education. Visit the NFPA website for
more information on the NFPA.
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 the IEEE Standards Association Website.
About IEEE
The IEEE has more than 360,000 members in approximately
175 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. For Additional information about
IEEE visit our website.
IEEE 1584™ is a trademark of IEEE. All
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marks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
