An Arc flash is caused by a voltage breakdown of the resistance of air resulting in an arc which can occur where there is sufficient voltage in an electrical system and a path to ground or lower voltage. An arc flash with 1000 amps or more can cause substantial damage, fire or injury. The massive energy released in the fault, instantly vaporizes the metal conductors involved, blasting molten metal and expanding plasma outward with extreme force.  An arc flash incident can cause an explosion, that could severely injure or kill workers as well as those nearby if they are not wearing Arc Flash protection.

Which Canadian Standard addresses Arc Flash?

The Canadian Standards Association published CSA-Z462 in December 2008 as a new standard on Workplace Electrical Safety. The new CSA-Z462 standard includes sections specifically addressing Arc Flash prevention and protection.  It is available for download here.

What is CSA-Z462?

CSA-Z462 has been developed in parallel with the 2009 Edition of NFPA 70E, and, based on an agreement with NFPA, has been made to harmonize Z462 with NFPA 70E as much as practicable for Canadian workplaces.  As agreed with NFPA, CSA used the 2004 Edition of NFPA 70E as the “seed document” for the development of Z462.  This common basis will help ensure that, right from the start, CSA-Z462 is harmonized with NFPA 70E.

Why was CSA-Z462 created?

In the United States in 1979, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created what is now called “NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.”  This Standard has evolved over the last 25 years to be the North American Standard for electrical safe work practices for energized electrical work.  The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) had been aware of the existence of this Standard and finally in 2005, put forth that Canada develop an equivalent Standard in collaboration with NFPA.

When and where will CSA-Z462 be in effect?

Once it has been published in both English (already published) and French (scheduled for April 09), CSA-Z462 will be submitted to the Standards Council of Canada for approval as a National Standard of Canada.  As with any other CSA standard, the first edition of Z462 is initially recognized as a voluntary best practices standard for use anywhere in Canada. In the future, as Z462 gains acceptance, each Province and the Federal Government may chose to reference it in regulations, and thereby make it mandatory. This is a similar process followed by regulators in referencing the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Part 1, 20thEdition, C22.1-06, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations.

What next?

Contact Aztec Electrical Supply to discuss what you need to protect yourself and your staff from possible Arc Flash hazards.  We offer an extensive range of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) products designed specifically for Arc Flash protection along with products designed to help prevent Arc Flash from occuring.  We also arrange Arc Flash seminars and training through our Arc Flash partners.  Please contact us for more information.