OPTIONS FOR AN ARC FLASH ANALYSIS? WHAT DO I ACTUALLY NEED?
THESE COMPANIES ALL LOOK THE SAME - WHO DO I TRUST?

If you’re accepting proposals for an Arc Flash (Incident Energy) Analysis and find yourself asking these questions, you’re not alone. The publication of NFPA 70E and its role in electrical safety at the workplace has prompted a growing awareness among employers of the potential dangers that exist at their facilities. It also has produced a crop of companies that sprang up seemingly overnight with the promise to help employers mitigate those hazards. Simply type “Arc Flash” into a Google search and you’ll find pages of companies with a whiz-bang Web site promising to solve all your compliance problems.  As you might have guessed, many of these companies are run by opportunists who see compliance confusion stemming from 70E as their latest cash cow. If these questions are ever answered and the trend goes away, so will these companies. Other businesses are reputable, thorough ventures that value safety over compliance. These firms take Arc Flash Analyses extremely seriously because they understand the goal of the study is first and foremost to keep employees safe, not put up a charade of compliance to collect a check.
So which is which? Below are some key elements to an Arc Flash Analysis and its pricing to help you separate the contenders for your project from the pretenders:

1. There is no such thing as an “a la carte” Arc Flash Analysis. The cafeteria line is a fine method for feeding employees, but not for keeping them safe. If a company says you can “do it yourself” or allows you to pick and choose analysis items like you’re at a buffet, forget it. They are in the business of making money, not in the business of safety.

2. If a company uses software from the Internet that you can download for free, be careful. Most reputable arc flash companies pay upwards of $15,000 to $20,000 per software license. If the same software could be obtained for free, the owners of these companies are among the worst businessmen in the world. Here is where the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies: Software obtained for free is worth every penny.

3. You must receive new labels, new single-line diagrams, and a report summarizing the findings and making recommendations on how to mitigate the electrical hazards. Don’t be fooled by a company that won’t quote a full-scale Arc Flash Study; they’re just trying to make their price appear lower. The price of a quality analysis includes all the items listed above. Most often, hazards can be mitigated with simple adjustments at little or no cost. Why not eliminate them?

4. The study must be thorough and detailed: It must assess every fuse and breaker in the building all the way down to the last device on the floor. You cannot skip the buss-duct or stop at the MCC. You must carry the study down to the floor levelthat is the law! Lewellyn will not accept a study that stops short. Neither should you.

5. If a price appears too low, it probably is. This can be the result of someone other than a Licensed Professional Engineer conducting the study. You must have a licensed PE conduct the analysis, a credential that may be difficult to spot at times. To be sure, ask the company for their License Number and where it can be verified. A reputable company which employs full-time licensed PE’s should have no problem directing you to this information.

6. Be cautious of companies offering “free” or “value added” training or other products. While this may make the proposal appear lower, it is a similar situation as the free software described above. While some safety-related items offered for free may have some value, like a discussion or a seminar, actual bona fide training is not an area to cut costs. Training is one of the most important components of an Arc Flash Analysis. The NEC, OSHA and NFPA all require this training, so it is an item that must be given due diligence and ample consideration and dedication of resources.

7. Be wary of firms that sell the products they recommend you use to mitigate hazards - fuses, etc. There is an obvious question of the motivation of the recommendation there. We do not sell any of the products we recommend.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when reviewing proposals for and Arc Flash Analysis. There are more aspects to account for before moving forward with a study. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.