1. Arc Flash & Data Centers
Talking Points:
Arc Flash is a concern
Discussed at Sympossiom
Hoping to help calm nerves while stressing importance
March 2015
Matt Phillips , VP of Business Development
Frank Jenkins, Sr. Electrical Engineer

2. What are we discussing today?
Agenda
What are we discussing today?
Arc Flash
What is it?
Why it is important?
Who is responsible?
How does it affect work?
Where is it headed?
How do we react?
Key takeaways
Talking Points:

3. “Serious harm to people”
Definition
“Serious harm to people”
An arc flash is an undesired electric discharge that travels through the air between conductors or from a conductor to a ground. The resulting explosion can cause fires and serious harm to equipment and people.
Talking points:
Simple definition – How it occurs is beyond the scope of this presentation
Currently there are over 1,400 workplace injuries every month caused by Arc Flash, many of those injuries being debilitating (NSC). 
In 2013, there were 139 deaths in the work place caused by electrical injuries, primarily Arc Flash and electrocution (OSHA)
   

4. Why is Arc Flash a big topic
Code, Regulations, and Lawyers
NFPA 7NFPA 70E 2015 Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces
OSHA Standards 29-CFR, Part 1910 Sub part S (electrical) Standard number
NEC 2002 Article NFPA 70B 2002 Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
Talking Points:
Those sobering numbers are better than they were a decade ago.  However, in its ongoing effort to improve safety in the workplace, OSHA is continuing its pressure to enforce regulations regarding worker standards around electrical gear.  One of the most discussed electrical standards, NFPA 70E, ‘Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace’, was developed in response to OSHA’s requests. 
One of NFPA 70E’s addressed hazards, Arc Flash, is forcing significant changes in how electrical systems have historically been handled.  Hot work (making modifications to gear when it is energized) is becoming much less common and tightly regulated.
The rules have been in code for a while – the enforcement is starting to be stressed
There are almost as many lawyers as engineers at Arc Flash Training Seminars

5. Arc Flash and Data Centers
Is de-energized work really just an inconvenience
At many data centers, ‘live work’ occurs because the facility feels it is unfeasible to de-energize the equipment — the facility simply believes they cannot shut it down. However, most of the time it is more of an inconvenience, and OSHA will not allow live work to occur just because it's inconvenient to de-energize it. We tend to see that data centers try and justify live work; however, OSHA will not agree with them.
Talking Points:
The rules have been in code for a while – the enforcement is starting to be stressed
OSHA, 80% of electrically related accidents and fatalities involving “Qualified Workers” are caused by arc flash / arc blast.
Between 2007 and 2011, more than 2,880 fines were assessed for not meeting OSHA regulation (d) which averages out to 1.5 fines a day.
We have always done it that way will not be an adequate excuse or reason
Concurrently Maintainable Systems will need to be maintained per the design – if you have dual bus you will need to shut down items to work on systems

6. Safety Rules Level 1 = 4 cal/cm2 Level 2 = 8 cal/cm2
PPE Category level 2015
Level 1 = 4 cal/cm2
Level 2 = 8 cal/cm2
Level 3 = 25 cal/cm2
Level 4 = 40 cal/cm2
Above Level 4 = No energized work
Talking Points
In all cases Arc Flash rated clothing is a must the level defines the cal/cm rating
Safety Glass & Face shields required at a minimum – Hoods become mandatory at level 3
Hardhats always required
Minimum of leather gloves with rubber arc rate gloves required at level 3
Space suits begin at level 2 – and get more restrictive as level go up.
As levels increase the ability of electricians to do work gets more difficult, takes more time, and more specialized workers required

7. Energized Work When can we work hot
When Powering down equipment becomes an increased hazard: i.e. A Medical facility may require uninterrupted electricity for life support systems
When it is simply infeasible to power down; i.e. taking voltage readings, IR Scans, and troubleshooting live components.
Note: OSHA recognizes and allows this without EEWP. However, PPE is required and no physical work can be performed without 1st employing an EEWP
Talking Points:
OSHA has a few exceptions when Hot Work is permitted and acceptable

8. Energized Electrical Work Permit
OSHA Approved -
Talking Points:
Hot work (making modifications to gear when it is energized) is becoming much less common and tightly regulated
All Parties including owner will share liability if event occurs
Who is liable?

9. Future of Arc Flash Rules are already in place
Coming Soon
Rules are already in place
Enforcement is coming soon!
PPE is mandatory
Energized work will be nearly impossible
NFPA 70E make business owners to share liability
Energized Electrical Work Permits
Talking Points:
One accident, one class for inspectors, or one near miss and you can bet we won’t be allowed to continue the way we have been.
We need to prepare now – so we are not in a panic when the changes completely take affect.

10. How do we react? Now and for future Focus on Arc Flash during designs
Arc resistant SWGR
Remote racking controls
Work arounds for de-energized maintenance and additions
Remote Distribution Panels vs. Standard PDUs
Talking Points:
Some things to consider when building new are to Focus on Arc Flash rules as part of design

11. Study is highly recommended!
Existing Facilities
Requirements
The NFPA 70E Edition – Standards for Electrical
Minimum requirement – Factory Labels Mandatory
Full study if any remodels
2012 & 2015 Edition further clarified and mandated compliance.
OSHA Requirements
Safety of workers
Study is highly recommended!
Talking Points:
Most of us here are not building new – so how does arc flash effect existing facilities
Indirect requirement of OSHA - even if no remodels
Code requires update every 5 years

12. What to expect from a study
How do I get this done
Breaker & switch operations changes
Cost for future work may increase
Trained personnel
New Safety & PPE Standards
PPE Purchased
Maintenance and installations become more challenging
De-energized work may become mandatory
Costs to mitigate above Level 4
No longer operate breakers – Alliance Generator Test
EC vs Facility People – scheduling
Training of staff & purchase of PPE
Can no longer do it the way we always have
De-energized work
There are ways to mitigate –

13. “Learning to trust concurrently maintainable”
De-energized work
Are you for real
Know your Tier Level
Tier I - Single path of power
Tier II - Single path of power - Redundant components
Tier III - Multiple power and cooling distribution paths, only one path active, redundant components, concurrently maintainable
Tier IV – Multiple active power and cooling distribution paths, redundant components, concurrently maintainable, fault tolerant
“Learning to trust concurrently maintainable”
Do you know if you can turn off a breaker?
Do you trust your redundancy?

14. Learning to trust concurrently maintainable
Dual Bus Testing
1st time – common issues
How things are plugged-in
Both on same bus
Circuit overloads
In rack PDU overloads
Server Issues
Power Supplies
Manual reset vs. auto
Difficulty getting it approved
Expected Benefits
Improved Confidence
Improved Change Control
Safer work environments for maintenance
Opportunity to operate / exercise standby equipment
Hardware validation
Peace of Mind
Dual Bus Test Results
Our Experience 2% Server failure 1st time – 1/2 % Server Failure 2nd Time and trending toward zero subsequent tests
Expected Benefits
Always better to find problems during a planned event than in a real emergency

15. Key Takeaways Save Lives & Injuries Action Steps Improving safety
Complete an Arc Flash Study
Employ Mitigation Strategies
Review & Update Safety Standards
Train personnel
New PPE Standards
Understand and trust your
“Concurrent Maintainability”
Save Lives & Injuries
No longer operate breakers – Alliance Generator Test
EC vs Facility People – scheduling
Training of staff & purchase of PPE
Can no longer do it the way we always have
De-energized work
There are ways to mitigate –

16. Questions? Thank you Matt Phillips Frank Jenkins
Vice President of Business Development, Secretary/Treasurer
Frank Jenkins
Senior Electrical Engineer