Product Information Bulletin
P.O. Box 467 | 64 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ 07026 | Ph: 973-340-7889 | Fax: 973-340-7809
ARC FLASH LABELS (NFPA 70E® & NEC® 110.6)
Description: Adhesive Backed Polyester Labels have been designed to comply with ANSI Z535.4 2002 & 2007
Product Safety Label Standards. Decals are screen printed with UV resistant inks and over laminated with Clear
Polyester to ensure a high degree of chemical, abrasion and heat resistance.
Material: 2 Mil White Polyester with Hi-Performance pressure sensitive Acrylic Adhesive backing
(UL® File No. MH10170 / CSA File No. 099241 L000)
1 Mil Clear Polyester film coated with a clear pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive
(UL® File No. MH10170 / CSA File No. 099241 L000)
Printed Image: Printed image is sealed between 2 layers of polyester. Polyester offers superior chemical, abrasion
and temperature resistance to vinyl decals, image is screen printed using UV inks.
Self Laminating Flap: These arc flash labels are provided with a self laminating flap that protects the printed
information as well as the hand written information.
Adhesive: Aggressive solvent based acrylic adhesive with excellent adhesion properties on a broad base of
application substrates such as Stainless Steel, Acrylic, Glass, Coated Metals and Plastics.
Packaging: All Brimar's machinery safety decals are available in convenient packages of 5 or bulk packages of 50.
Custom: Brimar has the capability to fabricate product safety decals in practically any size and color combination
with an experienced in-house graphics department.
Specification Compliance: Machinery Safety Decal comply with ANSIZ535.4 2002 & 2007.
Use of Warning Labels:
The National Electrical Code® has recognized ArcFlash hazards and developed a warning label requirement.
NEC® 110.16 Flash Protection States:
“Switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, and motor control centers that are in other than dwelling
occupancies and are likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall be
field marked to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc flash hazards. The marking shall be located so as to
be clearly visible to qualified persons before examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance of the equipment.”
What components or information does NFPA 70E® require the equipment labels to contain?
“Equipment Labeling. Equipment shall be field marked with a label containing the available incident energy
or required level of PPE.”
Besides the 2 exceptions above, NFPA 70E® does not specify the layout or all the components in the design of
safety warning signs and/or equipment labels that should be used to warn about electrical flash, however this
standard does request for the signs/labels to follow ANSI Z535, Series of Standards for Safety Signs & Tags, 2006
Both standards require a warning label, the problem is, there doesn’t exist a generic label that would comply with
both standards, what we found is:
© 1988 - 2010 Brimar Industries, Inc
www.safetysign.com | sales@safetysign.com | Toll Free: 800.274.6271 | Toll Free Fax: 800.279.6897
Product Information Bulletin
P.O. Box 467 | 64 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ 07026 | Ph: 973-340-7889 | Fax: 973-340-7809
ARC FLASH LABELS (NFPA 70E® & NEC® 110.6)
A) Typical label, with the bare minimum information, NEC-2002 requires such labels on all new equipment.
To achieve maximum safety, these labels should be installed on all existing enclosure doors, removable panels, etc.
WARNING
ARC FLASH AND SHOCK HAZARD
Appropriate PPE and Tools Required
when working on this equipment.
B) Or the preferred format, a label that will indicate the incident energy level and/or the required level of PPE.
However, if a complete electrical hazard analysis is performed, the preferred format should include the Hazard Risk
Category, Flash Protection Boundary, Incident Energy available, level of PPE required, system voltage, and shock
protection boundaries on it. In many instances it seems, that just one label will not cover all the aspects that need
to be covered when warning about the hazards of arc flash. Such label, similar to image below, is already in use by
a number of industries. Safetysign.com carries several layout options, with very similar information, if you required
your labels to have more, less or different information, simply let us know and will make them for you.
Preferred Format Label 01
DANGER
Arc Flash & Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
Flash Hazard Boundary
cal/cm² Flash Hazard at 18 inches
PPE Level,
Preferred Format Label 02
WARNING
Arc Flash and Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
Arc Flash Protection
Required PPE
• Flash Protection Boundary:
q
Hard Hat
q
T-shirt
q
Safety Glasses
q
FR Shirt
q
Safety Goggles
q
FR Pants
q
Face Shield
q
FR Coverall
q
Flash Hood
q
Flash Suite
q
Ear Protection
q
Leather Shoes
q
Long Pants
q
Leather Gloves
q
Long Sleeve Shirt
q
Cotton Underwear
q
Voltage Rated Gloves
• Hazard Risk Category:
• Incident Energy at 18” (cal/cm2):
Shock Protection
Shock Hazard when cover
is OPENED or REMOVED:
Shock Hazard when
Limited Approach
Restricted Approach Prohibited Approach -
• Limited Approach:
• Restricted Approach:
• Prohibited Approach:
Equipment ID:
Equipment Name:
800-274-6271 / J5512-JF
Date:
800-274-6271 / J5547-JF
As specified in the NFPA 70E® 2009 there are three general categories of electrical hazards:
electrical shock, arc-flash, and arc-blast.
Electric Shock: “Approximately 30,000 nonfatal electrical shock accidents occur each year. The NSC estimates
that about 1000 fatalities each year are due to electrocution, more than half of them while servicing energized
systems of less than 600 volts. Electrocution is the fourth leading cause of industrial fatalities, after traffic, homicide,
and construction accidents. The current required to light a 71/2 watt, 120 volt lamp, if passed across the chest, is
enough to cause a fatality. The most damaging paths through the body are through the lungs, heart, and brain.”
Arc Flash: According to NFPA 70E 2009 Annex K
“When an electric current passes through air between ungrounded conductors or between ungrounded conductors
and grounded conductors, the temperatures can reach 35,000°F. Exposure to these extreme temperatures both
burns the skin directly and causes ignition of clothing, which adds to the burn injury. The majority of hospital
admissions due to electrical accidents are from arc-flash burns, not from shocks. Each year more than 2000 people
are admitted to burn centers with severe arc-flash burns. Arc-flashes can and do kill at distances of 3 m (10 ft).”
© 1988 - 2010 Brimar Industries, Inc
www.safetysign.com | sales@safetysign.com | Toll Free: 800.274.6271 | Toll Free Fax: 800.279.6897
Product Information Bulletin
P.O. Box 467 | 64 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ 07026 | Ph: 973-340-7889 | Fax: 973-340-7809
ARC FLASH LABELS (NFPA 70E® & NEC® 110.6)
Arc Blast: We summarize it as the resulting extreme temperatures, high pressure and sound wave created by the
arc, causing the disintegration of all the materials involved from the arc itself.
How does NFPA 70E® promote the use of safety signs / labels to warn about electrical hazards?
NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
ARTICLE 130—WORK INVOLVING ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
(E) Alerting Techniques.
(1) Safety Signs and Tags. Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where
necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards that might endanger them. Such signs and tags shall meet
the requirements of ANSI Z535, Series of Standards for Safety Signs and Tags, given in Table 130.7(F).
FPN: Safety signs, tags, and barricades used to identify energized “look-alike” equipment can be employed as an
additional preventive measure.
(2) Barricades. Barricades shall be used in conjunction with safety signs where it is necessary to prevent or limit
employee access to work areas containing energized conductors or circuit parts. Conductive barricades shall not
be used where it might cause an electrical hazard. Barricades shall be placed no closer than the Limited Approach
Boundary given in Table 130.2.
(3) Attendants. If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient warning and protection from electrical hazards, an
attendant shall be stationed to warn and protect employees. The primary duty and responsibility of an attendant
providing manual signaling and alerting shall be to keep unqualified employees outside a work area where the
unqualified employee might be exposed to electrical hazards. An attendant shall remain in the area as long as
there is a potential for employees to be exposed to the electrical hazards.
Chapter 2 Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements
205.10 Warning Signs. Warning signs, where required, shall be visible, securely attached, and maintained in
legible condition.
(F) Warning Signs. The following signs shall be posted in appropriate locations:
(1) Electrical hazard warning signs indicating the shock hazard due to the battery voltage and the arc hazard due
to the prospective short-circuit current
(2) Chemical hazard warning signs indicating the danger of hydrogen explosion from open flame and smoking
and the danger of chemical burns from the electrolyte
(3) Notice for personnel to use and wear protective equipment and apparel
(4) Notice prohibiting access to unauthorized personnel
330.3 Safety Training
(B) Warning Signs. Warning signs shall be posted at the entrances to areas or protective enclosures containing
laser products.
To learn or buy the NFPA 70E® Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, click on the link below.
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=70E
© 1988 - 2010 Brimar Industries, Inc
www.safetysign.com | sales@safetysign.com | Toll Free: 800.274.6271 | Toll Free Fax: 800.279.6897