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NFPA 70E & Arc-Rated Face Shields

Personal Protective Equipment, including fire resistant clothing, has long been specified by NFPA 70E. The 2004 edition contains several important changes including a new requirement that workers wear an arc-rated face shield.

The 2004 edition of NFPA 70E requires workers to wear an arc-rated face shield if live parts are not placed in an electrically safe work condition and work is to be performed within the Arc Flash Boundary. This new requirement applies to work having a Hazard/Risk Category 2. Face shields must have a minimum arc rating of 8, with wrap –around guarding to protect not only the face, but also the forehead, ears, and neck. A flash suit hood may be used in place of an arc-rated face shield.

For electrical systems that are rated at 600 volts or less, NFPA 70E defines the Arc Flash Boundary as a minimum of 4.0 feet for systems having an available bolted fault current of 50kA. This Arc Flash Boundary distance increases as available fault current and/or clearing times increase and may be calculated using the formulae found in Article 130.3 (A).

Copies of NFPA 70E can be purchased by calling the National Fire Protection Association at 1-800-344-3555 or online at: www.nfpa.org.