Arc Flash Labels

Article 116.10 in the National Electric Code states that relevant electrical equipment shall be "field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards."  Other than that, the NEC leaves the content of the label up to the employer. 

NFPA 70E requirement for labeling has significantly changed.  The 2009 edition stated the reqruiement for arc flash analysis equipment labeling. It only required field marking on equipment displaying available incident energy or required level of personal protective equipment. The NFPA 70E 2012 edition is more specific with the equipment requiring labels.  Only equipment that would be worked on in an energized state requires the labeling

Ideally used for switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, meter socket enclosures, motor control centers that are in other than dwelling units, and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, shall be field marked with a label.

The labels have to include the following three lines of information:

1) At least one of the following: (a) available incident energy and the corresponding working distance or (b) minimum arc rating of clothing or (c) required level of PPE or (d) highest HRC for the equipment

2) Nominal system voltage

3) Arc flash boundary

Brady Arc Flash Labels meet the current NEC requirement 110.16, mandating that equipment with potential arc flash hazards be labeled to warn personnel of inherent danger.

• Made of high performance polyester
• Labels adhere permanently to a wide variety of surfaces
• Made to withstand rigors of even the most harsh industrial environments

Brady provides several versions of stock arc flash labels, which can be written on using a permanent pen or marker.  The labels shown below meet all current NEC and NFPA 70E requirements, and are available with either Danger or Warning headers.

 

The label below goes beyond NEC and NFPA70E requirements by including write-in fields for indicating the arc flash protection boundary and, checkboxes for designating the required PPE.  This extended label provides employees with the most complete information for protecting themselves from arc flash hazards.

 

Some safety-conscious employers are even going one step further and choosing to include shock hazard information on the label.  After all, as long as you are going through the trouble to warn employees of arc flash hazards, why not provide similar safety guidance for the other electrical hazard – shock?  These labels provide complete arc flash hazard information, plus shock hazard information on the applicable voltage, approach boundaries, and insulated glove and tool requirements.

Brady also provides arc flash labels preprinted with the hazard category and a list of the required PPE, relieving the employer from having to hand-write this information. As with the checkbox labels, a version that covers both arc flash and shock hazards is available.