Avonside Safety Management have the expertise to provide industry leading Arc Flash assessments for customer sites. We utilise our Engineering Teams experience to delvier meaningful assessments for customers in a cost effective way.
We have a wealth of experience delivering Arc Flash assessment for customers managing a wide range of facilities and electrical networks.
Our assessments focus on usable data simulating realistic circumstances to assess the risk of Arc Flash. We sample customer networks to assess carious points of risk, as opposed to a complete asset survey which is often expensive and time consuming. We deliver recommendations in significantly less time and higher cost effectiveness which enables more budget to be allocated to high quality Personal Protective Equipment.
We are open with our customers on the risks of Arc Flash and always encourage appropriate systematic and engineering controls to reduce risk before PPE is considered as a prime control measure.
Enquire today to see how ASM can help you make an informed and practicable decision on Arc Flash PPE.
Arc Flash Calculator (DC Free Trial)
Arc flash risk must be properly assessed before work is carried out on or near electrical systems. This calculator provides an accessible way to estimate incident energy and arc flash boundary values, helping users consider the potential severity of an arc flash event.
The results are provided for guidance only and must not replace a formal arc flash study, site-specific risk assessment, or assessment by a competent person.
Click the link below to launch the free DC calculator in a new tab.
How We Assess Arc Flash Risk
Our surveys follow the IEEE 1584 methodology, the industry-recognised standard for calculating arc flash incident energy.
Here's what the process involves:
1. Site Data Collection
We visit your site to gather information on your electrical network, including switchgear, distribution boards, protective devices, and single-line diagrams. Where full documentation isn't available, our engineers sample key points across the network to build an accurate model without the cost of a full asset survey.
2. Network Modelling
Using the data collected, we model your electrical distribution system in specialist software to calculate prospective short circuit currents and determine the characteristics of your protective devices.
3. Incident Energy Calculation
We calculate the incident energy level, measured in calories per centimetre squared (Cal/cm²), for each piece of equipment assessed. This figure determines the severity of a potential arc flash event and defines the arc flash boundary distance, the point at which a person would be at risk of a second-degree burn.
4. Risk Assessment & Recommendations
With hazard levels quantified, we recommend appropriate control measures, prioritising systematic and engineering controls before PPE, in line with the hierarchy of controls. This may include recommendations on switching procedures, equipment upgrades, or safe working distances.
5. Reporting & PPE Guidance
You receive a full report detailing incident energy levels, arc flash boundaries, and recommended PPE ratings for each assessed point, along with arc flash warning labels where required.
Is an arc flash survey a legal requirement in the UK?
Arc flash isn't named explicitly in UK legislation, but it's recognised as a hazard under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Employers have a legal duty to identify and control risks from electrical work, and an arc flash survey is the standard way to demonstrate that duty has been met.
How often should an arc flash assessment be repeated?
Best practice is to review your arc flash study every five years, or sooner if there are significant changes to your electrical network, such as new equipment, layout changes, or upgrades to protective devices.
What's the difference between a full asset survey and a sampled assessment?
A full asset survey assesses every point on your electrical network, which can be expensive and time-consuming. A sampled assessment, our approach, focuses on key points of risk across your network, delivering meaningful, actionable data in significantly less time and at lower cost.
What standard do you use to calculate arc flash risk?
We use the IEEE 1584 methodology, the internationally recognised standard for calculating incident energy and arc flash boundaries.
What happens after the assessment?
You'll receive a report with incident energy levels, arc flash boundary distances, and PPE recommendations for each point assessed, along with guidance on reducing risk through engineering and procedural controls before PPE is relied on.
Do you provide arc flash warning labels?
Yes, where required we can produce and supply arc flash labels based on the results of your assessment.