NFPA 70E - National Electric Code

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NFPA 70 is also called the National Electric Code. It covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, optical fiber cables and raceways.

NFPA 70E is different and separate from the National Electric Code. It deals with safety-related work practices for safeguarding of employees from hazards associated with electrical energy during activities such as the installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways.

NFPA 70E is also the code that addresses arc flash hazards and arc flash labeling. The chapter titles are:

Chapter 1 — Safety-Related Work Practices
Chapter 2 — Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements
Chapter 3 — Safety Requirements for Special Equipment

NFPA 70E also has 16 annexes (A thru P) that provide additional information, including a sample LO/TO procedure, a description of Incident Energy and Arc Flash Boundary Calculation Methods, an example of a Job Briefing And Planning Checklist, and definitions of General Categories of Electrical Hazards.

NFPA 70E 2012 requires that potential arc flash hazards be labeled. The labeling requirements are covered in article 130.5(C) "Equipment Labeling." It requires that electrical equipment be field marked with a label containing all of the following information:

At least one of the following:

a. Available incident energy and the corresponding working distance

b. Minimum arc rating for clothing

c. Required level of PPE

d. Highest Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) for the equipment (2) Nominal system voltage (3) Arc flash boundary

Under NFPA 70E 2012 labels applied prior to September 30, 2011 are acceptable if they include either the available incident energy or the required level of PPE. Compliance with the NFPA 70E 2012 labeling requirements is made easier with a DuraLabel printer. DuraLabel printers work with all of the major arc flash software. They also include an arc flash database for tracking, and printing additional copies of, existing arc flash labels. Call 1-888-326-9244 and ask about special DuraLabel arc flash labeling kits. You'll be glad you did.