Ready to take the next step?
Whether you need an initial assessment, an updated study, or a multi-site program, GRC can help define the right scope and deliver clear, actionable results.
Benefits of arc flash analysis services
Support electrical safety and compliance goals
Identify electrical hazards, evaluate personal protective equipment requirements, support your safety goals, and comply with NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements.
Gain a complete picture of electrical risk
Unlike providers that focus primarily on labeling, GRC combines engineering analysis and field verification to uncover hidden risks in your electrical systems.
Simplify multi-site arc flash programs
Our engineers support facilities using a consistent methodology, making it easier to manage electrical safety at scale.
What is an arc flash analysis?
An Arc Flash Analysis is an engineering study that uses data from a short-circuit/fault current analysis and a protective device coordination study to calculate the amount of heat that could be released during an electrical fault. The analysis is necessary to protect workers and ensure compliance with safety requirements. Arc flash analysis services are critical to detecting dangerous electrical issues in your facilities.
The experienced engineers from Global Risk Consultants assess your equipment, identify electrical hazards, calculate incident energy, and determine arc flash boundaries and personal protective equipment requirements. GRC provides a detailed list of recommendations to ensure protection from dangerous arc flash incidents, then provides arc flash labels for your equipment upon completion. Some of the most successful businesses in North America rely on GRC's arc flash assessments to keep their facilities protected.
How Global Risk Consultants can help
Electrical hazards can lead to injuries, equipment damage, downtime, and compliance challenges. Global Risk Consultants provides arc flash study services and arc flash risk assessment services that help organizations reduce risk, improve worker safety, and support compliance with OSHA, NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and IEEE 1584.
We offer NFPA 70E-based Electrical Safety Training to assist you with understanding arc flash protection and achieving your electrical safety training requirements and goals.
Whether you operate one facility or multiple locations, our engineers deliver projects using a consistent methodology across North America.
What's included in an arc flash study?
Depending on your facility and project scope, our services may include:
- Field data collection and facility verification
- Electrical one-line diagram development and updates
- Short-circuit analysis
- Protective device coordination studies
- Electrical-system modeling and arc flash calculations
- Identification of overdutied protective devices
- Arc flash boundary calculation and identification of applicable shock approach boundaries
- Reports with findings and recommendations
- Arc flash labeling support
- Electrical safety and training support
Our arc flash study process
A professional arc flash study combines field work, engineering analysis, and actionable recommendations. GRC follows a structured process that delivers consistent results across facilities.
- Gathering information for project scoping
The information required depends on the facility, electrical-system complexity, and project objectives. Useful inputs may include existing one-line diagrams, previous study reports, utility information, equipment inventories, recent system modifications, label requirements, and project timelines. - Field survey and data collection
Our engineers collect and verify information about electrical distribution equipment, including transformers, switchgear, panels, circuit breakers, conductors, and protective devices. This field review confirms system configuration and identifies changes that may affect the study. - Electrical-system analysis
Using the verified data, we develop or update electrical one-line diagrams and perform short-circuit, coordination, and arc flash analyses. The study evaluates fault currents, incident energy levels, approach boundaries, and PPE requirements. - Engineering reports and findings
Customers receive draft and final engineering reports documenting study assumptions, calculated results, equipment concerns, coordination findings, arc flash boundaries, and recommended actions. Updated one-line diagrams are included as part of the study’s deliverables. - Arc flash labeling
GRC provides arc flash labels based on the completed analysis. Labels communicate incident energy levels, PPE requirements, and safety boundaries for personnel working on or near energized equipment.
Electrical safety and compliance
Standards and regulations around electrical safety
Several standards and regulations work together to support electrical safety:
- OSHA establishes enforceable workplace safety requirements.
- NFPA 70E defines prescriptive electrical-safety work practices and risk assessment requirements for complying with proscriptive OSHA safety requirements.
- NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code or NEC) provides electrical installation requirements suitable for adoption by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) across the United States.
- IEEE 1584 provides the engineering methodology used to calculate incident energy and determine arc flash boundaries.
GRC provides arc flash studies, electrical-system analysis, labeling, and training services that help organizations identify hazards, establish protective measures, and maintain an effective electrical safety program.
Why is compliance with NFPA 70E essential?
NFPA 70E is the standard for electrical safety in the workplace, providing guidance on safe work practices designed to reduce the risk of electrical hazards.
Arc flash risk assessments are a key part of that process, helping organizations determine approach boundaries, required PPE, warning labels, and other protective measures. Employee training is also essential, helping workers recognize and avoid electrical hazards and follow safe work procedures. NFPA requires arc flash assessments to be reviewed at least every five years, or sooner if significant changes are made to the electrical system.
A key deliverable of an arc flash study is the determination of electrical safety boundaries around electrical equipment. NFPA 70E requires these limits to be established as part of the arc flash risk assessment process. Together, they help organizations develop safer work practices, determine PPE requirements, and communicate hazards through equipment labeling.
Arc flash boundary
The arc flash boundary identifies the distance from a potential arc source at which a person could be exposed to incident energy capable of causing the onset of a second-degree thermal burn. It is not a fixed distance and must be determined based on the characteristics of the electrical system. This is typically done through incident-energy calculations, such as those defined by IEEE 1584, or by applying the relevant NFPA 70E table method when the specified equipment and operating conditions are met.
Learn more on our white paper Arc flash: guide to boundaries, labels, and assessments
Electric shock approach boundaries
Arc flash studies also identify electric shock protection boundaries that address electric-shock exposure:
- Limited Approach Boundary: Defines the distance from exposed energized parts where an electric shock hazard exists.
- Restricted Approach Boundary: Identifies an area with an increased risk of electric shock that requires additional controls including electric shock personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
Get started with GRC
Whether you need an initial study, a periodic review, or support for multiple facilities, our engineers can help you develop a practical path forward.
Frequently asked questions
What is an arc flash analysis?
An arc flash analysis is a detailed engineering study that evaluates the potential consequences of an arc flash incident within an electrical system. The study determines incident energy levels, identifies arc flash boundaries, evaluates protective devices, and helps determine appropriate PPE and safety measures.
What are the benefits of arc flash analysis services?
Arc flash analysis services help organizations understand electrical hazards and make informed safety decisions. Benefits include:
• Protection for employees working on or near energized equipment
• Support for OSHA and NFPA compliance efforts
• Improved understanding of electrical-system risks
• Reduced likelihood of equipment damage and unplanned downtime
• Clear PPE and equipment-labeling requirements
• Actionable recommendations for risk reduction
• Protection for employees working on or near energized equipment
• Support for OSHA and NFPA compliance efforts
• Improved understanding of electrical-system risks
• Reduced likelihood of equipment damage and unplanned downtime
• Clear PPE and equipment-labeling requirements
• Actionable recommendations for risk reduction
How long does an arc flash assessment take?
Project duration depends on factors such as facility size, the number of electrical assets, document availability, and the complexity of the electrical distribution system. A professional study typically includes field data collection, engineering analysis, reporting, and labeling support where required.
How much does an arc flash study cost?
The cost of an arc flash study varies based on the scope of work, number of facilities, equipment quantity, documentation quality, and project objectives. GRC develops project-specific proposals to ensure organizations receive the services they need.
How often should an arc flash study be reviewed?
NFPA requires arc flash risk assessments to be reviewed at intervals not exceeding five years. Studies should also be reviewed whenever significant changes or modifications are made to the electrical system. GRC can help facilities evaluate changes over time and plan for future reassessments to keep electrical safety information and facility one-line diagrams current.
Does an arc flash study include equipment labels?
Yes. Arc flash studies typically provide the information required to create equipment labels. GRC can also support label production and installation to help facilities communicate hazards and PPE requirements clearly.
Can TÜV SÜD and GRC support multiple facilities?
Yes. GRC can support organizations with multiple facilities and apply a consistent engineering methodology across locations. This helps organizations standardize electrical safety practices, reporting, and risk-management efforts.
What is the difference between an arc flash study and a short-circuit study?
A short-circuit study determines the available fault current within the electrical system and evaluates equipment ratings. An arc flash study uses electrical-system data including the short-circuit study (fault current analysis) AND protective device coordination study to calculate incident energy, determine safety boundaries, and establish PPE requirements. Short-circuit analysis is a key component of a complete arc flash assessment.
Next steps for arc flash compliance
If your facility has not been assessed recently, has undergone electrical-system modifications, or operates equipment above 50 volts, it may be time to review your arc flash risks including having an arc-flash analysis performed.
GRC can help you determine the right scope for your study and deliver the analysis, reporting, and labeling needed to make informed decisions about electrical safety.
