Arc flash mitigation

Designing out unsafe systems

Mott MacDonald analyses and models equipment to identify and advise design changes to protect against arc flash incidents. Arc flash incidents can cause death, permanent injury, financial and legal consequences.

Model and analyse systems to preempt and diagnose problems within new and existing facilities Provide clear and concise findings and recommendations including personal protective equipment requirements

Advise on optimised protection settings and protective relay replacement where applicable Help employers and employees achieve a safer working environment, protect equipment and improve efficiency at the same time

www.power.mottmac.com

What is arc flash?

Arcing faults can occur if the energy available at electrical equipment is sufficient to maintain a conductive path through the air or insulation from live parts to grounded parts or between two live parts of different phases. Arcing faults produce ultraviolet light radiation causing damage to skin, eyes, hearing and igniting some types of clothing that are within the approach boundaries.

Our track record

Our experienced electrical power engineering staff have a proven track record of carrying out arc studies. We have undertaken arc flash assessment, review, design evaluation and implementation and made recommendations for such clients as: AMEC Group BRF Calpine Gemma Power Systems Genzyme Noble Environmental Power Northeast Utilities RasGas ScottishPower Technip

Our services include:

Data collection System modelling and coordination studies System operating modes Arc flash design assessments Risk assessment and mitigation Safety warning labels in compliance with NEC

What Mott MacDonald can offer

Improvements to protection system co-ordination, such as relay selectivity, should be realised to reduce incident energy levels available and arc flash boundary distances at a given work location while improving reliability. We use the latest tools SKM Power Tools, ETAP and EDSA to analyse the incident energy level available from which mitigating alternatives are investigated and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) levels recommended. The latest safety standards suggest that arc flash studies are advisable where a fault analysis or protection relay co-ordination study has not been performed in recent years. We believe that many facilities require an engineered approach to identify electrical hazards. A team of highly experienced power systems engineers at MottMacDonald is ready to provide this analysis to protect your interests and personnel.

Contact us Europe/Asia Dr Keith McLeay t +44 141 222 4617 e keith.mcleay@mottmac.com Africa Robert Wallis t +27 11 886 6573 e wallisr@merz.co.za USA Keith Svensen t +1 781 915 0048 e keith.svensen@mottmacinc.com Middle East Paul Looker t +971 506 626 568 e paul.looker@mottmac.com

National standards
At Mott MacDonald we have a full understanding of the national standards and owner responsibilities. NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace provides a standard that covers the aspects of electrical safety-related work practices and maintenance of the electrical systems. The Occupational Safety&Health Administration (OSHA) also considers NFPA 70E the recognised industry practice as based on IEEE 1584 IEEE Guide for Performing ArcFlash Hazard Calculations methods. In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act, Electricity at Work Regulations and PPE at Work Regulations require employers to assess the workplace, determine the hazards present and supply employees with the necessary PPE.
Mott MacDonald is a global management, engineering and development consultancy with a strong engineering base. With annual revenue of 1billion, we combine the skills of over 14,000staff with a strong presence in 140countries.

JK/05/10

www.mottmac.com