HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 19 - Arc Flash Hazard Analysis11 1 il i I I W kq 1111111 1 1111111111111191156
BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER \81
SUBJECT: ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT —ARC FLASH HAZARI
ANALYSIS
City Council consider awarding an Engineering Services Contract to Gupta & Associates,
Inc. (GAI) in the amount of $65,000 to perform an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis on electrical
equipment at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
and the Raw Water Pump Station (RWPS), authorize staff to execute said contract and
take any necessary action.
FUNDING SOURCE:
Funds are available in the Water and Wastewater PCMF account 200-43370-534-0 and
200-43360-534-0.
An arc flash is a dangerous event in which an energy release occurs as an airborne
electrical arc that flashes from one exposed live conductor to another conductor or to
ground.
Workers can be seriously injured or killed by arcing faults even without direct contact. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as other safety oriented
organizations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection
Association, Inc. (NFPA) requires electrical equipment to be labeled with arc -flash hazard
level data and to indicate required personal protective equipment.
The high voltage equipment in operation at the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater
Treatment Plant and the Raw Water Pump Station is required to be analyzed and the City
must develop safety procedures for our personnel who work in these locations.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) with NFPA have developed
concepts and standards for an arc -flash hazard study. The outcomes of the study included
incident energy at assigned working distances throughout the electrical system and the
arc flash boundary.
Scope of the project is comprised of:
Data Gathering/Documenting
o Transformer Ratings
o Switchgear and motor control center diagrams
o Overcurrent protective device settings
o Cable sizing and lengths
o Motor nameplate ratings
o Accurately document existing power distribution system at each location
o Fairly detailed inspection that will identify maintenance concerns and
improve documentation
Preliminary Model
o Build Computer Models of each electrical distribution device (switchgears,
motor control centers and panelboards)
o Each locations electrical distribution system from the meter to each 480V
load
o Analysis of Data by an electrical engineer with arc flash experience
o Analysis serves as a basis for corrective action including maintenance,
training and system modifications
Final Model
o Review results with Owner
o Identify areas of concern
o Consider options for areas where Hazard/Risk Category is higher than
desired
o Finalize Model
Deliverables
Master Model File
One -line Diagrams for each location
Tabulated Report Including
o One -line diagrams
o Equipment schedules
o Tabulated incident energy calculation results
o Explanation and discussion of results
Arc flash Labels with maximum available fault current
Mitigation Opportunities
The firm will, at each location, provide recommendation for equipment modifications and
employee safety procedures to comply with the established standards.
Staff recommends approval.