November 20th, 2006

NFPA 70E - The Standard for Employee Safety in the Work Place has found its implementation in a White Paper co-authored by Atlas Inspection Technologies of Seattle, and Electrophysics Corporation of Fairfield, NJ.

The increasing number of arc flash incidents serious enough to require workers to be treated in burn centers has moved the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to create a safe practice standard for electrical design and installation (NFPA 70E). However, NFPA 70E does not address issues such as electrical maintenance and safe work practices, leaving many companies unable to find clear guidance on how to cover these critical elements.

The White Paper, entitled "NFPA 70E, Arc Flash and Safe and Efficient Thermography Practices", is a well written and concise collaboration covering many important issues including the use of Infrared (IR) windows and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), eliminating controllable risk, and how to determine the flash protection boundary.

IR windows allow infrared cameras direct line of sight access for inspection without removing or opening electrical enclosures. Not opening panels eliminates the possibility of arc flash caused by disturbing an electrical enclosure. Selecting the proper IR window, camera, and their use and installation is carefully detailed. The proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each specific application which is determined by the completion of a Shock Hazard and Flash Hazard Analysis and is also explored in depth, as it pertains to the NFPA 70E Hazard and Risk Classification.

Details on implementing NFPA 70E in a way that protects workers and other assets from arc flash incidents as well as a discussion into other relevant issues regarding electrical maintenance and safe work practices is currently available at no charge by contacting either of these highly respected companies. Contact co-author Darren Billings of Atlas Inspection Technologies at 800.281.0650 or email him at d.billing@atlas-inspection.com. Contact co-author Art Stout of Electrophysics at 973.882.0211 or astout@electrophysics.com.

Atlas Inspection Technologies offers rentals, repairs, and on-site service with a focus on Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) equipment; IRISS Infrared windows, borescopes, fiberscopes, videoscopes, pan and tilt cameras, and crawlers are available.