NFPA 70E COMPLIANCE GUIDE

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This guide shall only be used in conjunction with performing the necessary calculations in a flash hazard analysis to determine the proper cal/cm . If the results of the calculations exceed the cal/cm that correspond to the HRC
found on this guide, you must use clothing that complies with the calculation.

Panelboards or Other Equipment Rated 240V and Below 600V Class Switchgear (with power circuit breakers or fused
NEMA E2 (fused contactor) Motor Starters, 2.3kV thru 7.2kV - CONTINUED
- Note 1 switches) - Note 4

Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated
within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC
Perform infrared thermography and other non-
contact inspection outside the restricted approach 0 CB or fused switch or starter operation with 0 Insertion or removal (racking) of CBs from cubicles, 4
boundary enclosure doors closed doors open or closed

Circuit Breaker (CB) or fused switch operation with 0 Reading a panel meter while operating a meter 0 Removal of bolted cover (to expose bare, energized 4
covers on switch electrical-cal conductors and circuit parts)

Work on control circuits with energized electrical

CB or fused switch operation with 0 conductors and circuit parts 120 V or below, Y Y 0 Metal Clad Switchgear, 1 kV thru 38 kV
covers off exposed

Open hinged covers (to exposed bare, energized 0 CB or fused switch operation with enclosure doors 1 Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated
electrical conductors and circuit parts) open within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC
Perform infrared thermography and other non-
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 1 contact inspection outside the restricted approach 2 Reading a panel meter while operating a meter 0
parts, including voltage testing boundary switch

Y Y 1 Open hinged covers (to exposed bare, energized 2 2

Remove/install CBs or fused switches electrical conductors and circuit parts) CB operation with enclosure doors closed
Work on control circuits with energized electrical
Removal of bolted covers (to exposed bare, 1 Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 2* conductors and circuit parts 120 V or below, Y Y 2
energized electrical conductors and circuit parts) parts, including voltage testing exposed
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Perform infrared thermography and other non-
parts of utilization equipment fed directly by a Y Y 1 Work on control circuits with energized electrical Y Y 2* contact inspection outside the restricted approach 3
branch circuit of the panelboard conductor and circuit parts >120 V, exposed boundary

Panelboards or Switchboards Rated >240V and up to 600V (with molded or

Y 2* Opening hinged covers (to expose bare, energized 3
insulated case circuit breakers) - Note 1
Application of safety grounds, after voltage test electrical conductors and circuit parts)

Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated Insertion or removal (racking) of CBs from cubicles, 4 Removal of bolted cover (to expose bare, en- 4
within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC doors open or closed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts)

Circuit Breaker (CB) or fused switch operation with
covers on
Perform infrared thermography and other non-
contact inspection outside the restricted approach
boundary
0 Removal of bolted covers (to exposed bare, 4 Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 4
energized electrical conductors and circuit parts) parts, including voltage testing
Other 600V Class (277v thru 600v, nominal equipment)
1 - Note 2 (except as indicated)
Work on control circuits with energized electrical Y Y 4
conductor and circuit parts >120 V, exposed

CB or fused switch operation with Y 1 Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated Insertion or removal (racking) of CBs from cubicles, 4
covers off within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC doors open or closed

Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 2* 1 Y 4

parts, including voltage testing Cable trough or tray cover removal or installation Application of safety grounds, after voltage test
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit
parts of utilization equipment fed directly by a Y Y 2* Miscellaneous Equipment cover removal or 1 Opening voltage transformer or control power 4
branch circuit of the panelboard or Switchboard installation transformer compartments

Opening hinged covers (to expose bare, energized

600V Class Motor Control Center (MCCs) - Note 2
(except as indicated)
Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated
within the flash protection boundary) Gloves
electrical conductors and circuit parts) - Lighting or
small power transformer (600v max)
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit
V-Rated parts, including voltage testing - Lighting or small
Tools HRC power transformer (600v max)
1 4
CB operation with enclosure doors open
Arc-Resistant Switchgear Type 1 or 2 (for clearing times of <0.5 sec with a
Y Y 2*
perspective fault current not exceed the arc resistant rating of equipment)

CB or fused switch or starter operation with 0 Application of safety grounds, after voltage test - Y 2* Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated
enclosure doors closed Lighting or small power transformer (600v max) within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC

Reading a panel meter while operating a meter
switch
Work on control circuits with energized electrical
conductors and circuit parts 120 V or below,
exposed
Perform infrared thermography and other non-
contact inspection outside the
restricted approach boundary
0 Revenue meters (kW-hour, at primary voltage and Y 2* Insertion or removal (racking) of ground and test 0
current) Insertion or removal device with doors closed
Removal of bolted cover (to expose bare, energized
Y Y 0 electrical conductors and circuit parts) - Lighting or 2* Insertion or removal (racking) voltage trans-former 0
small power transformer (600v max) on or off the bus door closed
1 Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 2* 0
parts, including voltage testing CB operation with enclosure doors closed

CB or fused switch or starter operation with 1 Y 2* Insertion or removal (racking) of CBs from cubicles, 0
enclosure doors open Application of safety grounds, after voltage test doors closed
Work on control circuits with energized electrical
Open hinged covers (to exposed bare, energized 1 Insertion or removal of plug-in devices into or from Y 2* conductors and circuit parts 120 V or below, Y Y 2
electrical conductors and circuit parts)--Note 3 busways exposed

Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 2* NEMA E2 (fused contactor) Motor Starters, 2.3kV thru 7.2kV Insertion or removal of CBs from cubicles, doors 4
parts, including voltage testing open

Other Equipment Including Metal-Enclosed Interrupter Switchgear, Fused or

Work on control circuits with energized electrical Y Y 2* Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated
Unfused 1 kV Thru 38 kV
conductor and circuit parts >120 V, exposed within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC
Work on control circuits with energized electrical
Y 2* conductors and circuit parts 120 V or below, Y Y 0 Task (equipment is energized & work is done V-Rated V-Rated
Application of safety grounds, after voltage test exposed within the flash protection boundary) Gloves Tools HRC
Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Switch operation of arc-resistant-type construction,
parts of utilization equipment fed directly by a Y Y 2* 0 tested in accordance with IEEE C37.20.7, doors 0
branch circuit of the motor control center Contactor operation with enclosure doors closed closed only
Insertion or removal (racking) of starters from
Insertion or removal of individual starter “buckets” Y 4 cubicles of arc-resistant construction, tested in 0 2
from MCC--Note 3 accordance with IEEE C37.20.7, doors closed only Switch operation , doors closed
Removal of bolted covers (to exposed bare,
energized electrical conductors and circuit parts)-- 4 Reading a panel meter while operating a meter 0 Outdoor disconnect switch operation (gang- Y 2
Note 3 switch operated, from grade)

2* Y 2
Contactor operation with enclosure doors open Insulated cable examination, in open area

Definitions: Y = Yes (Required) Opening hinged covers (to expose bare, energized 3 Opening hinged covers (to expose bare, energized 3
electrical-cal conductors and circuit parts) electrical conductors and circuit parts)
V-Rated Gloves: Rubber Insulating Gloves rated and tested for the maximum
line-to-line voltage upon which work will be done. Leather protectors must be Perform infrared thermography and other non-
worn externally if rubber insulating gloves could be damaged. contact inspection outside the restricted approach 3 Outdoor disconnect switch operation (hookstick Y Y 3
boundary operated)

V-Rated Tools: Insulated and Insulating Hand Tools rated and tested for the
maximum line-to-line voltage upon which work will be done
Work on control circuits with energized electrical Y Y 3 Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 4
conductor - and circuit parts >120 V, exposed parts, including voltage testing

HRC: Hazard Risk Category

FR: Flame Resistant Y 3 Removal of bolted cover (to expose bare, energized 4
AN: As Needed Application of safety grounds, after voltage test electrical conductors and circuit parts)

Work on energized electrical conductors and circuit Y Y 4 Insulated cable examination, in manhole or other Y 4
parts, including voltage testing confined space

Minimum Hard Hat, Safety Glasses or Goggles, Hearing Protection, Leather Work
HRC Protective Clothing cal/cm2 Shoes and Leather Gloves Apply to All

0 Natural fiber long-sleeve shirt & pants

N/A
Rubber insulating gloves (AN)
* If the notes cannot be satisfied, work must be performed de-energized

FR long-sleeve shirt & pants or

Note 1 Maximum of 25 kA short circuit current available, maximum of 0.03
4 Arc rated face shield,
1 FR coveralls Rubber insulating gloves (AN) second (2 cycle) fault clearing time.

FR long-sleeve shirt & pants or

Note 2 Maximum of 65 kA short circuit current available, maximum of 0.03
8 Arc rated face shield with balaclava or Arc flash hood,
2 FR coveralls Rubber insulating gloves (AN) second (2 cycle) fault clearing time.

FR long-sleeve shirt & pants or

Note 3 Maximum of 42 kA short circuit current available, maximum of 0.33
8 Arc rated face shield with balaclava or Arc flash hood,
2* FR coveralls Rubber insulating gloves (AN) second (20 cycle) fault clearing time.

Arc rated flash suit over FR coveralls

Note 4 Maximum of 35 kA short circuit current available, maximum of 0.5
Arc rated switching hood,
3 or FR long-sleeve shirt & pants 25 Rubber insulating gloves (AN) second (30 cycle) fault clearing time.

Arc rated flash suit over FR coveralls Arc rated switching hood,
*Working on circuits over 40 cal/cm2 should be avoided
4 or FR long-sleeve shirt & pants 40 Rubber insulating gloves (AN) because of blast hazard.
 Restricted Approach
Limited Approach Boundary Boundary Includes Arc Flash Protection Boundary
Nominal System Voltage Exposed Movable Exposed Fixed Circuit Inadvertent Movement Prohibited Approach (Panelboards Only)
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Range, Phase to Phase Conductor Part Adder Boundary
Less than Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified
50
1
50 to 300 10 ft. 0 in. 3 ft. 6 in. Avoid contact Avoid contact 4 ft. 0 in.
1
301 to 750 10 ft. 0 in. 3 ft. 6 in. 1 ft. 0 in. 0 ft. 1 in. 4 ft. 0 in.
2 4
751 to 15 kV 10 ft. 0 in. 5 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 2 in. 0 ft. 7 in. 40 ft. 0 in.
2 4
15.1 kV to 36 kV 10 ft. 0 in. 6 ft. 0 in. 2 ft. 7 in. 0 ft. 10 in. 40 ft. 0 in.

1
In the absence of a engineering calculation, use 4 feet (for panelboards only) when the product of clearing time of 2
cycles (.033 sec) and the available bolted fault current of 50 ka or any combination not exceeding 100 ka cycles.
When the product of clearing times and bolted fault current exceeds 100 ka cycles, then do the calculation. This 4 feet rule
applies only to panelboards, not MCC’s and switchgear. An arc flash protection boundary calculation should be done for
MCC’s and switchgear operations.
2
For single-phase systems, select the range that is equal to the system’s maximum phase-to-ground voltage multiplied by 1.732.
3
A condition in which the distance between the conductor and a person is not under the control of the person. The term
is normally applied to overhead line conductors supported by poles.
4
In the absence of arc flash boundary calculations on equipment labeling, default to 40 feet.

APPOROACH BOUNDARIES

ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS

Limited Approach Boundary: An electrical shock boundary whereby only qualified people can enter because they have the skills and
knowledge to recognize and avoid electrical hazards. Unqualified people must stay outside the Limited Approach Boundary so they
cannot contact energized parts.

Restricted Approach Boundary: The distance from exposed energized parts where there is an increased risk of electrical shock due to
electric arc over combined with inadvertent movement. A qualified person must wear PPE for protection (typically rubber insulating
gloves and use insulated tools) from the electrical shock hazard when working within the Restricted Approach Boundary.

Prohibited Approach Boundary: The distance from an exposed energized electrical conductor or circuit part within which work is
considered the same as making contact with the electrical conductor or circuit part. A qualified person must avoid performing work
with the Prohibited Approach Boundary.

Arc Flash Protection Boundary: The distance from an arc source at which a person could receive a second-degree burn if an
electrical arc flash would occur. All people must wear appropriate PPE while working/standing within this approach boundary.

Unqualified People – Access to Working Space

All unqualified people must stay outside the Limited Approach Boundary and the Arc Flash Protection Boundary, which ever distance
is greater. They must remain outside these approach boundaries until the electrical hazard is eliminated / controlled.

Develop a plan for keeping unqualified people and qualified people not wearing PPE, outside the approach boundary. For large
electrical rooms, cordon off the work area with barricades and signs. Small electrical rooms can be controlled by keeping everyone
outside the electrical room with a closed door and a spotter.

When working in a panel in a hallway of an occupied building, set up a barricade system to keep unqualified people out.

Justification for Work (130.1): Staff Electric’s company policy is – NO HOT WORK!
Our policy is to de-energize by placing the energized electrical conductors and circuit parts into an electrically safe work condition to
protect exposed employees working within the Limited Approach Boundary. Staff Electric follows the requirements of NFPA 70E and
OSHA for justifying hot work.

NFPA 70E 130.1(A) Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts to which an employee might be exposed shall be put into
an electrically safe work condition before an employee works within the Limited Approach Boundary of those conductors or
parts.

The only exceptions are:

1. Greater Hazard: The employee can demonstrate that de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards.
2. Infeasibility: The employee can demonstrate that the task to be performed is infeasible in a de-energized state due
to the equipment design or operational limitations.
3. Less than 50 volts to ground.

OSHA’s position regarding hot work is:

OSHA 1910.333(a)(1) requires that live parts be de-energized before a potentially exposed employee works on or near them.
Exception - if de-energizing introduces additional or increased hazards or if de-energizing is infeasible due to equipment design or
operational limitations. Examples are:

• Interruption of life support equipment • Performing diagnostics and testing (e.g. start up and
• Deactivation of emergency alarm systems trouble shooting circuits that are part of a continuous
• Shutdown of hazardous location ventilation process that would otherwise need to be completely
equipment shutdown in order to permit work on 1 circuit or
• Removal of illumination from an area piece of equipment.)