Arc Flash Risk Management
Why choose Electrical Safety UK, a subsidiary of the Sicame Group, to protect your people, assets, and reputation?
- For holistic electrical risk management, from expert consultancy and audits to tailored safety policies and documentation, ensuring your facilities meet all UK and international standards
- As industry leaders in arc flash safety, they are offering risk assessments, PPE guidance, and advanced studies to prevent serious incidents.
- ESUK provides accredited, bespoke staff training in LV/HV systems and arc flash awareness, boosting competency and fostering a safety-first culture.
- Their services reduce costly downtime, legal exposure, and equipment damage, making safety a proactive cost-saving strategy.
- Backed by expertise in standards like BS 7671, Electricity at Work Regs and IEEE 1584, ESUK ensures full legal compliance and operational resilience.
What is Arc Flash?
- Arc Flash (often called a flashover) is an electrical explosion resulting from a connection through air to ground or another voltage phase. Temperatures reach 20,000° C (Four times the sun's surface), causing:
- Severe burns (external and internal from inhaling hot gases)
- Hearing damage from pressure waves
- Eye damage/blindness from UV light
- Arc blast with explosive forces exceeding 100kPa, propelling molten metal at 300m/s
- IMPORTANT: Studies show arc flash hazard severity is often higher at low voltage than high voltage systems.
Electrical Safety UK provides Arc Flash Study
An arc flash study is an analysis of an electrical distribution system to determine by calculation the worst-case arc flash hazard that personnel could be exposed to if an arc flash event occurred.
The study involves:
- Data collection on electrical network
- Network modelling in specialised software
- Calculations, as incident energy levels (typically expressed in cal/cm² ), and arc flash boundary distances
- Protection coordination analysis
- Equipment labelling with calculated values and PPE recommendations
- Risk reduction strategies where incident energy exceeds 8 cal/cm²
- Task-based risk assessments for high-hazard equipment
- Calculation standards
Arc flash risk is assessed using standards such as:
IEEE 1584 - Gide for performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations (considering system voltage, fault current, protective device clearing time, electrode configuration and working distance)
You may not require a full package or may want a tailored approach to meet your specific needs- not a problem! Just drop us a line and we'll work with you to ensure that you get the best service.
We are able to offer a range of electrical technician and engineering consultancy services and advise on projects and issues that you may have. Our engineering team has extensive experience of incident investigations and working alongside the enforcing authorities. We also have our Electrical Systems Studies division that works closely alongside Electrical Safety Management and don't forget - we have an extensive department too!
Key Takeaways
✓ Arc flash studies are mandatory for proper risk assessment
✓ De-energization first — always prioritize isolation
✓ Engineering controls are more effective than PPE alone
✓ Training and competency are critical — human error is a major factor
✓ Regular reviews ensure continued safety as systems evolve
✓ Professional assessment identifies cost-effective risk-reduction strategies