Arc Flash

Labeling Guide
An introduction to arc flash and how to label your energized
equipment according to NFPA 70E, 2018 Revision.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Keeping Employees Safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Creative Safety Supply is a global

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All contents copyright © 2019 by Creative Safety Supply. All rights reserved. No part of this document or accompanying files may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise, by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

This ebook is presented to you for informational purposes only and is not a substitution for any professional advice. The contents herein are
based on the views and opinions of the author and all associated contributors.

While every effort has been made by the author and all associated contributors to present accurate and up-to-date information within this
document, it is apparent technologies rapidly change. Therefore, the author and all associated contributors reserve the right to update the
contents and information provided herein as these changes progress. The author and/or all associated contributors take no responsibility for any
errors or omissions if such discrepancies exist within this document.

The author and all other contributors accept no responsibility for any consequential actions taken, whether monetary, legal, or otherwise, by any
and all readers of the materials provided. It is the readers sole responsibility to seek professional advice before taking any action on their part.

Readers’ results will vary based on their skill level and individual perception of the contents herein, and thus no guarantees, monetarily or
otherwise, can be made accurately. Therefore, no guarantees are made.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com

Introduction
What is Arc Flash?
An arc flash is a release of electrical energy from an
electrical system that occurs during certain types of
arc fault. When an arc flash occurs, an electrical arc
travels either from one conductor to another or to
ground through the air. An arc flash occurs quickly
and lasts until the circuit is broken, usually by built-in
protective mechanisms.
When work is performed on live or damaged
equipment, it’s more likely an arc flash will occur. This
happens because the isolation between electrified
conductors or the insulation isn’t adequate. Activities
that are more likely to lead to an arc flash are
installing/removing fuses and installing/removing
circuit breakers. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) explains that other common
causes of arc flash events include condensation,
corrosion, dust, or dropping a conductive tool.
Why is arc flash a cause for concern? These events
are very hazardous: they result in temperatures
Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com
upwards of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit and create
pressure waves called arc blasts. The extreme
temperatures of arc flash can cause serious
thermal burns and melt or even vaporize the metal
conductors. The corresponding blast creates a
pressure wave that can knock people over and
collapse lungs. The noise associated with this type of
event can even rupture eardrums.
Second and third-degree burns are common injuries
associated with arc flash, and according to OSHA,
the severity of injuries depends on three things: the
proximity of the arc flash, the temperature, and how
much time it takes the circuit to break.
Standards exist to reduce arc flash hazards,
and it is important to follow these regulations to
prevent accidents. In this guide we’ll examine a key
component of arc flash compliance that informs
workers of the hazard present: arc flash hazard
labeling.
4
Keeping Employees
Safe
Preventing arc flash incidents requires an electrical
safety program that emphasizes training, personal
protective equipment, and labels that communicate
the severity of arc flash hazards.

Detailed information about these topics can be

found in the National Fire Protection Association’s
guidelines, NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace®. This document, which
was originally created by the NFPA at OSHA’s
request, is a comprehensive guide to electrical safety
topics including arc flash.

While OSHA regulations do not specifically state

workplaces must comply with NFPA 70E, it is
possible for OSHA to cite employers who do not
follow the standard. This is because NFPA 70E is an
industry consensus standard, meaning it outlines the
best practices for dealing with a recognized hazard.
Because arc flash is a recognized hazard, employers
must take the necessary steps (outlined in 70E) to
prevent it. This includes making arc flash hazard
labels.

Buy NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

http://catalog.nfpa.org/2015-NFPA-70E-Standard-for-Electrical-Safety-
in-the-Workplace-P1197.aspx?icid=B484

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 5

NFPA 70E Timeline

1979
First edition of NFPA 70E is published.
1981-1988
Several updated editions of the standard are
published, focusing on electric shock hazards.
Sections pertaining to safety-related work
practices and safety-related maintenance
requirements are added.
2009
Annexes are added to the standard that contain
information about performing arc flash incident
energy calculations.
2012
The updated standard includes new tables for PPE
selection and information about shock protection
boundaries.

1995 2015
The NFPA 70E standard incorporates arc flash Contains a number of important updates pertinent
hazards for the first time. to arc flash.

2018
2000 See next page...
Revisions focus on expanding information about
arc flash boundaries and PPE.

2004
The standard’s name changes to its current name,
NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the
Workplace®.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 6

2015 Update
The 2015 edition of NFPA 70E, which went into effect in August of
2014, contains a number of important updates pertinent to arc flash:

• Elimination of the term Hazard Risk Category (replaced with “PPE Category”)

• Elimination of Category 0 for PPE

• Revised PPE selection methods

• Terminology changes, including the use of the term “risk assessment” instead of “hazard analysis”

• Elimination of the Prohibited Approach Boundary for electric shock

2018 Update
The 2018 70E edition puts a huge emphasis on human relationships with
electrical instruments. More specifically, this updated editions focuses on how
to prevent injury and increase worker awareness of hazards, including:

• Article 110.1 requires a qualified person will need to perform a job safety analysis (JSA)
before maintenance is performed.

• Article 110.1 also adds the concept of human error into JBA and job planning in Annex Q.

• Article 130.7 takes steps to better manage PPE conformity.

Electrical safety programs must now include a section on how to investigate electrical incidents/
accidents in a facility.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 7

Label Requirements
Arc flash hazard labels must be placed on any
piece of electrical equipment where workers might
need to perform work while the equipment is still
energized. This typically includes equipment such
as panelboards, switchboards, and meter socket
enclosures.

At the very least, all arc flash labels must contain the
following three pieces of information:

• Nominal system voltage

• Arc flash boundary

• At least one of the following:

o The available incident energy and the

corresponding working distance

o Minimum arc rating of clothing

o Site-specific PPE requirements

Note: NFPA 70E makes an exception for some

labels created before September 30, 2011; as long
as these labels contain the available incident energy
or the required level of PPE, they do not need to be
changed.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 8

Explanation of Basic
Requirements
The arc flash boundary refers to the distance from
an arc flash hazard within which a person would
likely receive curable second-degree burns if an arc
flash occurred.
Keep in mind that the main goal of an arc flash
hazard label is to alert employees to a hazard and
provide them with the information they need to select
PPE and perform work safely.

This is determined using the location where the

incident energy is equal to 1.2 cal/cm2. Incident
energy is the amount of energy impressed upon
a surface at a given location. It is a function of the
system’s voltage, the available short-circuit current,
the arc current, and the time needed for circuit
protective devices to open.

Calculating the incident energy at the location where

work will be performed (usually 18”) can also help
determine what PPE workers need to wear to stay
safe. Hence, the label must contain this information.

To fulfill this requirement, the label can contain

the available incident energy at the location where
work will be performed OR the PPE Category (as
determined by the tables in Article 130.7 of 70E), the
minimum arc rating of clothing (which is determined
by the manufacturer and appears in the clothing
or gear’s tag as the Arc Thermal Protective Value
(ATPV)), and/or a list of specific PPE required by your
worksite.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 9

Sample Label
Label format should conform to the ANSI Z535.4 Products Safety Signs and Labels standard requirements, which
include the WARNING or DANGER signal word and corresponding colors, symbols, and text. Generally, WARNING (with
an orange background) is used for arc flash labels to indicate a serious hazard exists. The term DANGER should only
be used when a life-threatening situation is imminent; sometimes businesses use DANGER when the incident energy is
higher than 40 cal/cm2.

The sample label below is one option for presenting arc flash information using ANSI label guidelines, but it is not the only
option. Many workplaces choose to include additional information about shock hazards on arc flash labels so all electrical
hazards are covered. This sample label contains pertinent shock information.

WARNING
Arc Flash & Shock Hazard
Appropriate PPE Required
ARC FLASH PROTECTION BOUNDARY AND REQUIRED PPE

Arc Flash Boundary: ..............89 inch

Incident Energy at 18” (cal/cm2): 16.4 Glove Class: ....... 00
Required PPE: Cotton Underwear + AR Shirt & Pants + AR Coverall + Hearing Protection

SHOCK HAZARD PROTECTION BOUNDARIES

Shock Hazard: 480 VAC
Limited Approach: 42 inch Restricted Approach: 12 inch
Equipment ID: Bus: C-H Prot: MCB C-H Assessment Date: 9/1/14

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 10

Label Field Details
Arc Flash Boundary
An approach limit located at the distance from
exposed live parts within which a person could
receive second-degree burns if an arc flash
occurred.
Required PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment)
Needed Arc-Rated (AR) protective equipment
designed for specific parts of the body is listed
here.
Incident Energy and Corresponding
Work Distance
Incident Energy is a measure of thermal energy
at a working distance from an arc fault (measured
in cal/cm2). The working distance is the distance
from where the worker stands to the flash location
(commonly 18 inches).
OR PPE Category
The Arc Flash PPE Category is determined by
consulting the PPE tables in Article 130.7 of NFPA
70E. PPE categories range from 1 to 4 (with four
having the highest incident energy rating and
requiring the most protective gear). PPE Category
Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com
is not depicted on this sample label because the
available incident energy and corresponding work
distance are listed. Both cannot appear on the
same label.
Shock Hazard/Nominal System Voltage
Shock Hazard, measured in VAC, is a dangerous
electrical condition associated with the possible
release of energy caused by contact with or
approach to energized parts. This number also
represents the nominal system voltage and could
be labeled as such.
Glove Class
Electrical safety gloves are categorized by the level
of voltage protection they provide and whether
they’re resistant to ozone. Voltage protection
is broken down into six classes. Class 00 is
the least protective, while class 4 provides the
most protection. You can choose to include this
information on arc flash labels.
11
Limited Approach
The Limited Approach Boundary indicates where
an electric shock could occur. It should be entered
only by qualified persons or unqualified persons
that have been advised and are escorted by a
qualified person.

Restricted Approach
A heightened risk of electric shock exists inside
the Restricted Approach Boundary. Only qualified
persons should enter this space. Requires the use
of shock protection techniques and PPE.

Assessment Date
Arc flash risk assessments must be reviewed at
least every 5 years or when a major modification
occurs. Including a documented date is helpful for
this reason.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 12

Arc Flash &
Shock Approach
Boundaries
While the Limited Approach and Restricted Approach boundaries listed on the sample label do not apply directly to arc
flash, it is helpful to see where these boundaries are located. Take a look at the diagram below.

Any workers who must enter these boundaries should receive appropriate training and wear required protective
equipment. Depending on the situation, the arc flash boundary can be located inside or outside the limited approach
boundary.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 13

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 14
Creating
Arc Flash Labels
Multiple methods exist for helping you determine the
content of arc flash labels. Some companies choose
to use software to calculate incident energy, some
consult the calculations in the appendices of the
NFPA 70E, some refer to the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) guide—IEEE 1584-2018:
Guide for Performing Arc Flash Calculations—and
others hire electrical engineering firms to assist them.
Any of these methods is acceptable.
It is the employer’s responsibility, though, to make
sure labels are created and put in the appropriate
locations. More than one option exists for obtaining
these arc flash hazard labels.
The three most common options are:
• Order labels from a safety company
• Print your own labels from an inkjet or laser
printer
• Print your own labels using a thermal
transfer printer (recommended)
Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com
Ordering Arc Flash Labels
PROS: No equipment needed
CONS: High cost per label, wait time for delivery,
impractical for high volume and/or repeat need
For companies with a limited need for arc flash
labels, ordering these labels from a catalog or
website can be a viable option. Some companies
allow you to customize the information that will
be printed on your labels, while others provide
pre-designed labels with blank spaces where you
can write in the incident energy, PPE, and other
information specific to your facility.
Printing Paper Arc Flash Labels
PROS: Inexpensive, utilize existing equipment, print on
demand, can save files for later quick recall
CONS: Not durable, requires extra protection from
water, wear and chemical damage, not practical
for smaller containers/labels
Another option for creating arc flash labels is to utilize
an existing inkjet or laserjet printer to print labels onto
standard paper.
(cont’d)
15
The obvious downside to this is the durability of
paper labels. Paper may not hold up well to the
elements in an industrial worksite, and that could
leave your facility open to safety and compliance
problems as time goes by. Ink on paper exposed
to UV can also fade, and depending on the print
method, these labels can wear very easily with
contact.
Some of these downfalls can be mitigated by
protecting the labels with heavy-duty plastic sleeves
or other protective means, but this is often difficult to
do with smaller labels.
Printing Arc Flash Labels with a
Thermal Transfer Printer
PROS: Highly durable, weatherproof, chemical/UV/
water/wear resistant, can save files for later
quick recall, low cost per label vs ordering, print
on demand
CONS: Requires a thermal transfer printer
By far, the most ideal option for creating arc flash
labels is using a thermal transfer printer. Because of
the superior lifespan of these labels and the low cost
per label, having a thermal transfer printer in-house
ends up being the easiest and most cost-effective
way to create these labels, especially if you need to
create a lot of them.
Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com
Thermal transfer printers connect to any PC but
are different than inkjet or laserjet printers in that
instead of laying ink on top of a paper surface,
thermal transfer printers work by heating a print
ribbon resin and thermally bonding it to a material,
usually an industrial vinyl. Using this method, you
create weatherproof labels capable of lasting many
years—even outdoors—without fading, smearing, or
wearing away.
To print arc flash labels, select a label supply that
allows you to create labels with a WARNING header.
Label supplies are available that come with pre-
printed headers, if you would like to go that route.
Any thermal transfer printer capable of printing arc
flash labels should also have the functionality to save
labels so you can print them again later on or update
them as needed.
Print your own Arc Flash labels with
LabelTac® Thermal Transfer Printers- visit
labeltac.com or call us at 1-877-356-6584
16
IEEE 1584
Since 2002, the IEEE 1584 has been the standardized
method for arc flash calculation, overcurrent
protective devices, and personal protective
equipment (PPE) geared toward arc-flash protection.
This standard has gone far in protecting workers
from serious injury and facilities from catastrophic
damage since its inception.
2018 Updates
For over a decade, researchers in arc flash studies
conducted nearly 2000 tests that covered a vast
array of voltages, configurations, and parameters.
By contrast, the 2002 original version of the IEEE
1584 was built around the results of around 300
arc flash tests to formulate accurate equations, and
range of validity the 2002 version explored is from
208 V to 15,000 V (3 phase) and, for bolted, short
circuit currents 700-106,000 Amps. For After years
of research, input, and revision, IEEE 1584 finally
released its next edition for 2018.
Here are a few of the biggest things that are
changing or remaining the same in the 2018 update
of the IEEE 1584:
Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com
Voltage Range
208-15,000 V, (3 phase)
Range of bolted short circuit current
208 V – 600 V: 500 A to 106,000 A
600 V – 15,000 V: 200 A to 65,000 A
Conductor Gap
208 V – 600 V: 0.25 inches to 3 inches
601 V – 15,000 V: 0.75 inches to 10 inches
Working Distance
12 inches or larger
Change in Electrode/Bus
Configuration
In the 2002 version of the 1584, the standards
were based on arc flash tests that contained
vertically-arranged electrodes. For the 2018 update,
researchers found that incident energy can be
effected by electrode orientation; therefore, the
update includes possible configurations for certain
types of electrical equipment.
17
When electrodes are situated horizontally, the arc
plasma goes outward from electrodes’ ends. With
vertical electrodes, the arc hits the insulated barrier
and the plasma cloud is directed more closely to the
enclosure’s opening.

To provide a more complete, flexible range for

equipment, the IEEE 1584 2018 update includes
these new models.

Voltage
The 2002 edition was meant to provide information
for voltages from 208 V to 15,000 V; the uses
three voltages (600, 2700, 14,300 V) and includes
interpolation for additional voltages for the purposes
of accuracy.

Grounded/Ungrounded changes
The original document emphasized a difference
between the results based on whether the power
system in questions was grounded or ungrounded.
During the initial arc stage—when the fuse wire is
melting down—the arc can be very unpredictable
and unbalanced. Because of that unbalance, the arc
and its incidental energy could be influenced by how
the system is grounded. The new standard uses a
more stable arc so there is no need to differentiate
between grounded and ungrounded.

Arc Flash Labeling Guide | creativesafetysupply.com 18

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by Arcad Inc.

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circuit incident energy, arc flash protection boundary, level of personal protection equipment (PPE)
calculations, and to create customized arc flash warning labels.

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