EI_May15

Are You Grounded?Safeguarding Electricity

from Plant to Plug

Also inside:n National Electrical Safety Month:

Driving a Proactive Culture n Advancing Safety and Innovation through Building Codesn Fire SafetyApplying Science and Technologyn Harmonized Standards Streamline Certification,

Facilitate Safety

Published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association | www.NEMA.org | May 2015 | Vol. 20 No. 5

the magazine of the electroindustry

2014 Hermes Aw

ard W

inner

FEATURES

Electroindustry text and cover pages are printed using SFI-certified Anthem paper using soy ink. SFIfibersourcingrequirementspromoteresponsibleforest managementonallsupplierslands.

SFIworkswithenvironmental,socialandindustrypartnersto improveforestpracticesinNorthAmerica.

TheSFIcertifiedsourcinglabelisproofElectroindustryisusing fiberfromresponsibleandlegalsources.

ECO BOX

Promoting Safety and Innovation through Up-to-Date Building Codes .....................................................8

Life Safety Benefits Tied to Adoption of 2012 IFC and IBC ........................................................................9

Safety is Not for Sale ...........................................................................................................................10

Hidden Hazards Call for Expert Evaluations ...........................................................................................11

Newer Codes Mean Better Safety in Photovoltaic Systems .....................................................................12

Should It Take a Disaster to Make a Change? .........................................................................................14

Using Unlisted Products Poses Safety Risks ...........................................................................................16

Securing Safety in Energy Storage Systems...........................................................................................17

Total Systems Approach to Electrical Grounding Safeguards Emergency Response Centers ......................18

Grounding Systems Only as Good as Weakest Link .................................................................................20

Fire SafetyApplying Science + Technology .......................................................................................23

Outfitting Women with Flame-Resistant Garments Ensures Safety ........................................................24

The Future of Fire Safety: Are We Doing Enough? ..................................................................................25

Research Unveils Dangers of Electric Shock Drowning ............................................................................26

Patient SafetyImproved Patient Outcomes ......................................................................................27

Save the DateBoard of Governors Annual Meeting

Thursday, November 5, through Friday, November 6, 2015

Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.

Available on the App Store

electroindustryPublisher / Editor in Chief | Pat Walsh

Contributing Editors | Chrissy L. S. George William E. Green III

Economic Spotlight | Tim Gill

Codes & Standardization Trends | Vince Baclawski Government Relations Update | Kyle Pitsor

Art Director | Jennifer TillmannNational Advertising Representative | Bill Mambert

CONTENTS

electroindustry (ISSN 1066-2464) is published monthly by NEMA, the Association of Electrical Equipment and Medical Imaging Manufacturers, 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 900, Rosslyn, VA 22209; 703.841.3200. FAX: 703.841.5900. Periodicals postage paid at Rosslyn, VA, and York, PA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NEMA, 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 900, Rosslyn, VA 22209. The opinions or views expressed in electroindustry do not necessarily reflect the positions of NEMA or any of its subdivisions.

Subscribe to ei, the magazine of the electroindustry, at www.nema.org/subscribe2eiContact us at [email protected]

Follow NEMA:

Are You Grounded?Safeguarding Electricity

from Plant to Plug

Also inside:n National Electrical Safety Month:

Driving a Proactive Culture n Advancing Safety and Innovation through Building Codesn Fire SafetyApplying Science and Technologyn Harmonized Standards Streamline Certification,

Facilitate Safety

Published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association | www.NEMA.org | May 2015 | Vol. 20 No. 5

the magazine of the electroindustry

2014 Hermes Aw

ard W

inner

Newsmakers NOTES

DEPARTMENTSGovernment Relations Update ...............................................................................................................6

Atlanta City Council Considers Benchmarking and Disclosure ............................................................................................................6

Historic Legislation Results in Continued Access to Imaging...............................................................................................................6

NEMA Welcomes Push for Trade Legislation ........................................................................................................................................6

Electroindustry News ..........................................................................................................................28

Golden Omega Award Bestowed on Susan Graham, PhD ................................................................................................................28

Kite & Key Recipient Tim McNeive Retires ..........................................................................................................................................28

Bruce Schopp Bids Farewell ................................................................................................................................................................29

John Caskey Reappointed to DOE Committee ....................................................................................................................................29

ACEEE Summer Study 2015 Conference Names Hoyt Co-Chair ........................................................................................................29

Code Actions/Standardization Trends ...................................................................................................32

Smart Fire Protection Continues under Fire Pump Subcommittee ....................................................................................................32

Recently Published Standards ............................................................................................................................................................32

International Roundup .......................................................................................................................33

Harmonizing Fire Alarm Standards Streamlines Certification, Facilitates Safety ..............................................................................33

Economic Spotlight .............................................................................................................................34

Available from NEMA/BIS The Electroindustry Economic Outlook ................................................................................................34

NEMA Officers .......................................................................................................................................................................................3

Comments from the C-Suite .................................................................................................................................................................3

View from the Top .................................................................................................................................................................................4

Ask the Expert .....................................................................................................................................................................................36

Listen to the Expert .............................................................................................................................................................................36

I Am NEMA ..........................................................................................................................................................................................36

36Todd Lathrop is all about safety.

26Susan Graham, PhD, President and CEO of ELANTAS PDG, Inc., and a member of the NEMA Board of Governors, will be awarded IEEEs Golden Omega Award for her contributions to technological progress.

5Bill Perry, OSHA Director of Standards and Guidance, is confident that revised standards guarantee safety to people who work on or near electrical power lines.

From the PresidentofficersElectricity. Whether we use it to charge a smart phone, plug in a hair dryer, or power-up a machine at work, we all typically take its availabilityand probably its safetyfor granted. But safety is never automatic, so as we do every year, NEMA focuses on electrical safety this month. In essence, we want to be grounded in safety.

Think for a moment of the tremendous electrical power that flows from generating plants through transmission networks to substations and ultimately to customers at workplaces and homes. NEMA member companies work hard to ensure that power lines, conductors, insulators, transformers, circuit breakers, switches, conduits, and other equipment meet the highest standard so that the electricity that powers our country is delivered as efficiently and safely as possibleand all of this through every kind of terrain and weather, and an almost limitless array of end uses.

According to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workplace injuries related to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations led to revised manufacturing industry and construction standards. These updated standards, as well as those for electrical protective equipment, provide a layer of protection that helps keep workers from getting dangerously close to energized lines and equipment.

But our industry has a history of going beyond good enough, so techniques like proper grounding and other basic procedures addressed in the National Electrical Code and other national building, electrical, fire/life safety, and energy codes tend to be starting places. For instance, NEMAs Strategic Initiative for Advancing Safety and New Technologies through Code Adoption is built on the notion that the same high standards of safety that exist in the workplace need to be adapted to apply to residential and other settings where people gather as families and communities.

Devices such as tamper-resistant receptacles, arc-fault circuit interrupters, and ground-fault circuit interruptersto name just a fewprotect us from the power of electricity even while ensuring its availability. This is fundamental to quality of life.

Electrical safety is only as good as its weakest link. From power plant to wall plug, NEMA members manufacture safety into every link they make. Nevertheless, we all have a major role in the safety equation. So please read and share this issue of ei. When it comes to electrical safety, we want an affirmative answer to the question, Am I grounded? ei

Kevin J. Cosgriff President and CEO

NEMA electroindustry May 2015 3

ChairmanDon Hendler President & CEO Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.

First Vice ChairwomanMaryrose Sylvester President & CEO GE Lighting

Second Vice ChairmanMichael Pessina President Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.

TreasurerThomas S. Gross Vice Chairman & COO Eaton Corporation

Immediate Past ChairmanJohn Selldorff President and CEO Legrand North America

President & CEOKevin J. Cosgriff

SecretaryClark R. Silcox

In February 1984, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recognized the need for greater electrical safety awareness and launched what

was then known as Electrical Safety Awareness Month. The following year the initiative was honored in May, and the longstanding tradition of promoting electrical safety during this month began.

The growing support of this event demonstrated the need for promoting electrical safety awareness, which led to the creation of the National Electrical Safety Foundation in 1994, through a cooperative effort by CPSC, NEMA, and Underwriters Laboratories. The organization later became the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), and has proudly sponsored National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) each May since 1998.

With the support of electroindustry leaders, ESFI recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. In addition, NESM is celebrating more than 30 years of helping consumers and industry via a universal focus during May.

This New UpdaTeNotable fact: the average American home is older than 30 years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 44 percent of the nations housing stock was built before 1970. To address this, the theme of this years NESM campaign is That Old House, This New Update. ESFI released the second edition of Electrical Safety Illustrated, which informs readers about common hazards posed by Americas aging housing stock, and also features a variety of updates that can improve the safety and efficiency of homes of any age.

NESM continues to elevate critical safety issues to the forefront of public attention, including programs addressing the dangers of counterfeit electrical products and those that promote the use of home electrical safety devices, such as tamper resistant receptacles, arc-fault circuit interrupters, and ground-fault circuit interrupters.

There is no doubt that ESFI has made significant contributions to public health and safety.

As the electrical industry continues to evolve, so does the need for electrical safety awareness. ESFI offers a great opportunity for you and your organization to impact public safety and guide program activities. I encourage you to do your part to promote safe electrical practices not just in May, but throughout the year.

Lastly, I would like to thank those who have supported ESFI. Without your contributions, these lifesaving awareness campaigns would not be possible. Driving a culture of electrical safety is imperative. We are encouraged by the progress we have made and excited for what lies ahead.

For information on how you can get involved, visit www.esfi.org. ei

National Electrical Safety Month: Driving a Proactive CultureDave Tallman, Chairman of Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) Senior Vice President and General Manager, Control and Power Conversion Division, Eaton

Virtually every industry and business is challenged by an aging infrastructure and increasingly more complex safety needs among its workforce. Improving electrical safety is fundamentally important in promoting a culture of safety within the workplace. ESFI continues to respond to the changing workplace safety landscape through the development of assessments, trainings, and educational tools for a wide audience.

Having served on ESFIs Board of Directors since 2001, and later appointed chairman in 2006, I have watched ESFI grow exponentially in reach and influence. Thanks to NESM and ESFIs other campaigns, the foundation achieves more than one billion media impressions each year, and that number continues to steadily grow.

The foundations NESM efforts provided the opportunity for all sectors of the electrical industry to advocate the importance of electrical safety during the month of May and beyond. It has been a pleasure to work alongside other industry leaders committed to advancing electrical safety, and I attribute a great deal of ESFIs success to their participation.

My association with ESFI and helping the international community drive improved electrical safety has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. ESFIs leadership in driving

ESFI Thanks Dave Tallman for his extensive service to the organization through his service on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. ESFI can attribute much of its success to his strong leadership and forward thinking.

Brett Brenner, President, ESFI

4 NEMA electroindustry May 2015

Views

Electric utilities, electrical contractors, and labor organizations persistently championed much-needed measures to better protect the men and

women who work on or near electrical power lines. We heard their concerns and took action.

OSHA recently revised its 20-year-old general industry and 40-year-old construction standards for work on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations; and for electrical protective equipment. The changes became effective on July 11, 2014.

Workers in these professions are exposed to a variety of significant hazards that can and sometimes do cause serious injury and death. Until last July, inconsistencies between the construction and general industry standards could create difficulties for employers attempting to develop appropriate work practices for their employees.

For example, an employer replacing a switch on a transmission and distribution system is performing construction work if it is upgrading the cutout, but general industry work if it is simply replacing the cutout with the same model. Under the old standards, different requirements applied depending upon whether the work was construction or general industry work. Now, the requirements are the same.

The updated standards for general industry and construction include new or revised provisions for host and

are often huge, with workers and their families and taxpayer-supported programs paying most of the associated costs. In fact, workers and their families bear more than half the cost of injuries and illnesses63 percent when accounting for out-of-pocket and private insurance expenses.

Workplace injuries and illnesses contribute to the pressing issue of income inequality: they force working families out of the middle class and into poverty, and keep the families of lower-wage workers from ever entering the middle class. The most effective solution to this problem is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses from occurring.

Thats exactly what OSHA standards are designed to doensure that employers put effective protections in place to see that each and every worker goes home safe and healthy at the end of every shift. We are confident the changes we have made for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work will do just that.

More on the updated standard can be found at www.osha.gov/dsg/power_generation ei

OSHA Updates Standards for Electric Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution WorkBill Perry, Director of Standards and Guidance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

contract employers to share safety-related information with each other and with employees, as well as for improved fall protection for employees working from aerial lifts and on overhead line structures. In addition, the standards adopt revised approach-distance requirements to better ensure that unprotected workers do not get dangerously close to energized lines and equipment. The new standards also add new requirements to protect workers from electric arcs.

General industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment were also revised. The new standard for electrical protective equipment applies to all construction work. It also replaces the old construction standard, which was based on out-of-date information, with a set of performance-oriented requirements consistent with the latest revisions of the relevant consensus standards. The new standards address the safe use and care of electrical protective equipment, including new requirements that equipment made of materials other than rubber provide adequate protection from electrical hazards.

iMpaCT OF The ReVised sTaNdaRdsThis long-overdue update will save nearly 20 lives and prevent 118 serious injuries annually. At an average monetary value of $62,000 per prevented injury and $8.7 million per prevented fatality, the estimated monetized savings are $179 million annually. But the financial benefits dont end there.

Workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses can hamper the ability of many working families to realize the American Dream. The financial and social impacts

OSHA standards ... ensure

that employers put effective

protections in place to see that

each and every worker goes

home safe and healthy at the

end of every shift.


Views

On April 20, the Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a building energy benchmarking and disclosure ordinance that would make energy and water consumption in Atlantas commercial and municipal buildings more transparent.

Cities with similar policies have shown marked improvements in energy performance; in its most recent progress report, New York City announced a median energy use intensity reduction of 13 percent for office buildings and 12

The Senate passed historic legislation on April 14 to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), the formula used to reimburse providers under Medicare. The measure, commonly known as the doc fix, passed 92-8 in the Senate and comes weeks after the House passed the bill, 392-37. The president is expected to sign the legislation into law.

In recent years, Congress routinely stepped in to patch scheduled SGR-triggered cuts to reimbursement rates with a freeze or small update, but because each patch required an offset

Early in the 114th Congress, President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) identified international trade policy as an area for bipartisan cooperation. After months of negotiations, NEMA welcomed legislation by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-OH) to provide market-opening objectives for U.S. international trade negotiations. It also establishes a structure and process for Congress to consider implementation of any trade agreements negotiated by July 1, 2018. The legislation is known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) or fast track.

percent for multifamily buildings over the three years for which New York has data.

Patrick Hughes of NEMA and Bob Smith of Eaton testified in favor of Atlantas proposed ordinance, while other Atlanta-based NEMA members submitted letters of support. In his testimony, Mr. Hughes explained that, No one would buy a car without first knowing its miles-per-gallon rating, or buy a food product without consulting the nutrition facts label. This ordinance would fill that

in the federal budget, cuts to medical imaging services were always a threat.

During the 113th Congress, the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Senate Finance committees produced a bipartisan plan to replace SGR with a system that reimburses physicians on how effectively they meet quality measures. Although it did not advance, it was revived in the 114th Congress. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) negotiated an agreement to offset a portion of the bills cost. Because the bipartisan legislation was

The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 sets out negotiating objectives for the administration to achieve in the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement with 11 other countries. It establishes a framework under which members of Congress continually advise the administration on how to best achieve negotiating objectives, and provides for timely consideration of implementing legislation with an up-or-down vote.

The legislation also sets out U.S. priorities in other trade negotiating forums, including the Trans-Atlantic

information gap, allowing prospective buyers and renters to understand the full cost of operating the buildings in which they work, live, learn, and play.

NEMA will continue work with the City of Atlanta and local building owners to implement the policy and to make sure that building owners have the support and information they need to improve the energy performance of their facilities. ei

Patrick Hughes, Director, Government Relations | [email protected]

crafted with input from a broad group of stakeholders, little opposition was mounted when it was introduced.

MITA has urged Congress to repeal SGR, citing the 15 cuts to medical imaging since 2006 that have hurt patient access and undercut the benefits of early detection. Additional reimbursement cuts will create more barriers to lifesaving medical imaging services. MITA commends Congress for repealing the SGR and protecting accesses to medical imaging services. ei

Andy Dhokai, MITA Director of Federal Relations | [email protected]

Trade and Investment Partnership with the 28-nation European Union, global negotiations to liberalize trade in services, and the World Trade Organizations Environmental Goods Agreement.

NEMA is a member of the Trade Benefits America coalition, which has been meeting with Congressional offices on the importance of foreign markets access to NEMA companies and on the need for TPA legislation. ei

Craig Updyke, Manager, Trade and Commercial Affairs |

[email protected]

Atlanta Passes Energy Benchmarking and Disclosure Ordinance

Historic Legislation Results in Continued Access to Imaging

NEMA Welcomes Push for Trade Legislation


Government Relations Update

Support legislative and regulatory efforts aimed at promoting the timely adoption of the most recent editions of the national model building, electrical, fire/life safety, and energy codes.

NEMA does this with the help of its member companies in key states, as well as through the Coalition for Current Safety Codes and the Electrical Code Coalition.

This year was no exception to the continuing trend of state activity in the building code realm. This flurry of activity has posed both challenge and opportunity for NEMA and its members to promote safety and innovation through timely adoption of building codes. As a result of our strong messaging and coordinated effort and outreach, we have garnered support from politicians in states who, in the past, had previously been nonchalant or opposed to our issue. We hope to continue this momentum as the state legislative sessions continue this year.

Separately, we have been very successful at working with coalition partners to educate stakeholders and support adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). As of January 1, 24 states have adopted the 2014 NECa record in cycles past. We hope to build on that success with the recent publication of the International Code Council (ICC) set of building codes.

The work and accomplishments could not be done without the support and engagement of NEMA members; coalition partners; and standards development organizations ASHRAE, ICC, IAPMO, National Fire Protection Association, and Underwriters Laboratories.

Ms. Dennis ([email protected]) manages NEMAs strategic outreach to state stakeholder groups. ei

Codes and standards pave the way to market creation for new, improved, and certified technology, including electrical products manufactured by NEMA members. Those markets cannot be fully realized, however, until they are adopted and actively enforced by state and local jurisdictions.

For the last several decades, this has been a relatively easy lift. But, in recent years due, in part, to the housing market collapse in 20082009 and a growing anti-regulatory climate, we have seen pushback on the incorporation of building safety codes from political, not technical, circles. In the past, codes had been updated without much attention, and through building commissions and councils which also received little attention by politicians.

That has now changed. Many politicians at the state level have been sympathetic to the concerns of homebuilders and others, and as such, have acted to support a repeal or delay of code updates while not fully realizing the consequences to public safety, as well as economic competitiveness in their manufacturing sectors.

In response to these efforts, the NEMA Board of Governors acted in July 2012 to create the Promote Safety and Innovation through Up-to-Date Building Codes strategic initiative. This effort is led by the NEMA Task Force on State Code Adoptions, which is open to all NEMA members. The objectives of the initiative are two-fold:

Oppose legislative and regulatory efforts aimed at lengthening the de facto three-year code adoption cycle; and

Promoting Safety and Innovation through Up-to-Date Building Codes

deana M. dennis, NeMa Manager of state Government affairs

Update: Advancing Safety and New Technologies through Code AdoptionNEMAs Strategic Initiative for Advancing Safety and New Technologies through Code Adoption was formed in 2012 in response to a handful of states attempts to extend the adoption cycle for building codes. Through the NEMA Codes & Standards Committee, the Task

Force on State Code Adoptions was created to be the driving vehicle of the Strategic Initiative.

NEMA supports a three-year adoption cycle by states and local jurisdictions for national model building codesincluding electrical, life safety, and

energyto coincide with the national revision cycles. We believe this is the best way to ensure an even standard for safety and performance in the home and workplace, and in schools and healthcare facilities.

Learn more at www.nema.org/Code-Adoption-Initiative


ELECTRICAL SAFETYSAFETy&INNOvATIONThROughBuIlDINgCODES

One of the most effective ways to reduce the incidence of CO poisoning is to ensure that CO-detection devices are installed where people live, work, sleep, and study. To reduce CO poisonings, newly-constructed hotels, apartment buildings, dormitories, nursing homes, and hospitals are required to install CO detectors or CO alarms.

New IFC/IBC requirements are consistent with the requirements in the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code for CO detection in all newly constructed one- and two-family dwellings.

dORMiTORiesAccording to a 2011 National Fire Protection Association report, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,840 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, and sororities in 20052009. These fires caused an annual average of three civilian deaths and 38 civilian fire injuries.

To reduce property damage and civilian casualties, an automatic smoke detection system is now required in common spaces outside of dwelling/sleeping units of college and university buildings.

iMpROVed wakiNG eFFeCTiVeNess Most fire alarm horns and integral sounders in smoke alarms/detector produce an audible tone in the 3 KHz frequency range. Findings from numerous research studies have concluded the 3 KHz audible signal is not as effective at waking high-risk segments of the populationsuch as people with hearing loss, school aged children, and the elderlyas a low frequency 520 Hz tone.

To improve the waking effectiveness for high-risk segments of the population, fire alarm systems are required to produce the low frequency audible alarm signal in all sleeping areas. Several examples are hotel and dormitory sleeping rooms, as well as dwelling unit bedrooms within apartment buildings. ei

With more than 20 years in the fire alarm and security markets, Mr. Roberts has experience in the installation, sales, and system design/commissioning of code-compliant commercial fire alarm systems, as well as the development and distribution of fire alarm, carbon monoxide, and security equipment.

Several noteworthy changes to the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) will enhance public life safety. These codes protect the public by incorporating the latest advancements in technology and techniques. They are updated every three years to align with new technologies and techniques.

It is essential that jurisdictions adopt the 2012 model fire and building codes. Consequential changes will be substantial to public life safety.

sChOOlsIn recent years, there has been an increase in acts of violence against students and staff in kindergarten through grade 12 schools. Fire alarm systems installed in newly-constructed schools will be required to use an emergency voice/alarm communication (EVAC) system for occupant notification. Using an EVAC system as the occupant notification system has several benefits over an audible tone.

Improved Communications An EVAC system provides pre-recorded and live voice instructions throughout the schools during emergencies whereas horns are only capable of providing the tone.

Reduced Costs An EVAC system is capable of being used for fire alarm evacuation and other signaling purposes such as general paging, daily class changes, severe weather alerts, and acts of violence. This reduces installations costs by eliminating the need for a separate public address system.

Improved Reliability Public address systems do not have secondary power supplies, and they typically do not monitor the integrity (supervise) of the power supplies and circuit wiring. EVAC systems are required to have a secondary power supply and supervise all critical system functions for opens, shorts, and grounds.

lOdGiNG aNd healThCaReAccording to a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report, more than 400 people die every year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and more than 20,000 individuals are injured due to CO poisoning each year. In recent years, there have been numerous deaths occurring in hotels and motels.

Life Safety Benefits Tied to Adoption of 2012 IFC and IBC

Richard Roberts, industry affairs Manager, honeywell Fire safety



pushing to delay the code adoption process to every six years, thus preventing the most current safety products from being required. Another problem is attempts to amend currently adopted codes and standards by removing the provisions related to lifesaving products. This allows a home builder to offer new products as options even when the product is nationally-recognized as a minimum requirement for electrical safety.

Safety cannot be for sale as an option or upgrade. Minimum safety provisions of codes and standards should not be manipulated for the purposes of gain and profit. A home buyers choice of carpet over tile is not likely to result in a fire, injury, or death. But a home built without essential electrical devices such as AFCIs, GFCIs, and TRRs can result in the loss of life and property.

A primary responsibility of the NEMA Field Representative Program is tracking state code adoption and future trends in state code adoption. This work is reported to the Codes and Standards Task Force on State Code Adoption and to coalition partners. We are taking a proactive stance to prevent the delay in code adoption and code adoption amendments, and counteract other tactics that reduce the electrical safety of a home.

While we have been extremely successful in many states, the battle is far from over. NEMA member companies are an essential part of the solution. Their efforts on code team meetings, at code hearings, and during the code development process have resulted in big wins around the nation.

Lets not let safety be for sale. ei

One of the earliest of human interactionsthe trade of goods and servicesremains the cornerstone of the worlds economy. One of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy is the sale of new homes. An essential part of the home building industry is the codes and standards that regulate construction. A home built to the most current codes and standards ensures that the building and systems are safe for occupancy.

One technique a builder uses to attract more buyers is offering options and upgrades such as flooring, kitchen countertops, or landscaping. Common electrical upgrades include lighting packages, lighting controls, specialty wiring for home entertainment and audio systems, intercom systems, and other wiring systems.

A growing trend in the homebuilding industry is offering electrical safety devices and components as an option and not as standard installation. These include essential electrical devices such as arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs), and other lifesaving products.

One source of this problem is code adoption at the state or local jurisdiction level. A small group of individuals is

I recently presented a program on the benefits of community adoption of current building safety codes to a group of electrical inspectors and contractors. We discussed technologies, safety, and economics and how they related to infrastructure advancements, personal safety, property loss reductions, and reinvestment in a community. During the discussion on the economic benefits of new codes, the program came to screeching halt. I had one of those wake-up-call moments.

An electrical contractor commented that every time the state adopts a new electrical code, it

costs his company money. I instantly thought how quickly he forgets! We had just discussed how safety protects life and property. Because it is vital to the wellbeing of our communities, safety should always be the highest priority to any electrical contractor in his day-to-day installations.

As I was listening to this gentleman, my mind wandered back to the days when I was in his shoes, and how I looked at new, expanded safety codes as a way to educate my customers. For example, after a job was completed, I would always meet with the homeowner to explain what was installed. I used this opportunity to not only explain the safety provisions

that were installed, but also to promote myself as a safety-conscience contractor and advocate.

This mind-set separated me from the competition. Instead of pushing back at new safety codes, electrical contractors should embrace them as a way to elevate their work and trade by having the reputation as a safety-minded contractor.

After explaining my experiences as a contractor, the idea of promoting safety instead of pushing back was a wake-up call for him, too. After the program, he said, I have never looked at safety codes in that context before. It was a wake-up call for both of us. ei

Bryan p. holland, NeMa southern Region Field Representative

Wak

e-Up

Call don iverson, NeMa Midwest Field Representative



Although these suggestions may be obvious to the homeowner, the proper repair for many electrical systems does not always rely on product replacement; it may require additional knowledge of the underlying problem. The National Electrical Code (NEC), a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard, outlines specific requirements for replacing some products, those of which require installation by professionals. Installing tamper resistant receptacles, GFCIs, and AFCIs are a few specific technologies that should be installed by a qualified

electrical contractor.

Electrical inspections are also a critical component of a safe installation. Electrical inspectors work closely with contractors to verify that the local adopted NEC is followed. This verifies that the job is current in providing the most code compliant and safe installation.

Water-damaged electrical equipment and wiring may seem less obvious to the untrained eye, but contractors who are aware of NEMAs publication Evaluating Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment understand that products that have been affected by water will be compromised and do not provide the electrical

safety they were listed for. The UL listing of electrical products provides the end-user proper installation methods as part of the listing requirement. Trained professionals understand these listing requirements, but also understand the limitations of use under the product safety standard. Evaluating the damage and providing the proper action for repair is essential for continued safety. Water behind the service panel cover has rendered many breakers inoperable, thereby reducing overload and short circuit protection for branch circuits in a home.

Replacing the breakers, however, may not be the solution. The water may be a sign of aging electrical products, which may be allowing water to migrate into the service cable or meter socket. Once inside a cable, the water will find its way into the service panel in the basement. A qualified electrical contractor should be consulted for these repairs because they know safe electrical work practices involving energized service conductors, which may not have a fault protection device. These work requirements come from another NFPA standard: NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

As we celebrate National Electrical Safety Month, let industry experts help provide the expertise in the continued safe use of electricity through safe installations, inspections, and ensuring the right products are used for the right applications in the households across the country. ei

With the proliferation of home improvement stores, electrical products are being sold to homeowners and installation training is being offered by Big Box Stores. Books are available and online videos offer on-demand learning experiences. There is a sense that even a caveman can do this, which is a misunderstanding of the importance of training that professionals in the electrical industry undergo. This training provides for safe electrical installations for the consumer.

As more homeowners work on residential electrical systems, it is important to understand how different systems work together to ensure safe operation. Proper electrical training prepares qualified individuals with the knowledge and vigilance to identify visual hazards. What are obvious indicators of electrical hazards to a trained individual may be overlooked by an untrained homeowner.

Replacing aging products, properly installing and using electrical products, and properly inspecting electrical systems are a few ways to ensure electrical safety, but there are many other things a homeowner can do to mitigate electrical hazards.

Test all ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) receptacles and breakers on a monthly basis as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure proper functionality for the internal circuitry.

Visually inspect all cords that are plugged into the receptacles and outlets throughout the house. Look for broken cords and loose connections. Confirm that the grounding terminal is intact.

Identify damage to exposed wiring and enclosures. Look for broken insulation, insufficient support, and improper connections to boxes.

Verify circuit breaker identification in the dwelling panelboard. This is the required directory that needs to be updated every time work is performed on a panel and circuit arrangement changes. This helps verify that the proper breaker is reset upon overload or short circuit.

Visually inspect for water damage and signs of rust or corrosion on interior and exterior products. These are signs of internal damage that may prevent proper protection from electrical hazards.

Hidden Hazards Call for Expert EvaluationsJack lyons, NeMa Northeast Field Representative



capability to shut down remotely from the ground within ten seconds; this gives firefighters some degree of safety before they climb to the rooftop. The 2017 NEC, which is still under development, received public input to require shutoff at each individual panel of a PV arraynot just the entire array. This would give fire personnel a much greater degree of safety, although it would require a shutoff device on each individual PV panel. This NEC public input will be considered later this year during development hearings.

Another serious concern with PV systems is the fire rating of rooftop PV panels. Building codes generally require roofs, especially in areas subject to wildfire, to have varying levels of fire resistance. When a PV array is installed on a fire-rated roof, the rating of the roof is often compromised. Leaves and other debris can collect in the space between the panels and the roof, causing an excessive fire load. The limited space between the panels and the roof can also trap heat during a fire. Additionally, the PV panels themselves, although noncombustible, can be burned through by flaming embers that are scattered during a wild fire. New standards recently developed by Underwriters Laboratories will ensure that PV panels listed to these standards will not compromise the integrity of roof fire ratings.

New technologies bring with them new challenges in making sure they are safely used and installed. Fire marshals and code officials across the country have worked with PV industry stakeholders to keep up with these challenges. Innovation seems to advance at a breathless pace. Electric vehicle chargers, energy storage, light-emitting diodes, building automation, energy management systems, alternative energy, and microgrids are just a few examples. All of these will need to be installed safely, and thats a big reason why its so important to use the newest codes. ei

As technology advances, codes and standards are updated to make sure that we are safe where we live and work. The National Electrical Code (NEC), which is highlighted during National Electrical Safety Month, is a prime example of how codes keep up with technology. The 2017 NEC is now under development.

One technology that has seen considerable advancement in recent years is solar photovoltaicsoften referred to simply as PV. Although PV technology has existed for many years, it has begun to see widespread usage in the last ten to 15 years. As PV technology advances, safety requirements in the NEC and other codes are updated to keep pace with the changes. Three areas in which significant changes related to PV have been made are rooftop access, rapid shutdown of PV panels, and fire ratings of roof panels.

Rooftop access has been a major concern of firefighters since the installation of PV systems, especially on residential homes. Access to the rooftop is necessary during firefighting activities so that the holes can be cut into the attic for venting purposes. Firefighters also need an access path on the rooftop to maneuver and escape if necessary. On larger buildings, solar arrays are limited in size and pathways between the arrays to allow access to fight the fire. In 2011, the California State Fire Marshals office worked with the solar industry to develop guidelines that have now been adopted by model codes, such as the 2015 International Fire Code.

For firefighter safety, PV panels need a shut-down method for PV circuits. When the sun shines on a PV panel, electricity is generated and there is generally no way to shut off the voltage, making fighting a fire that involves PV panels risky business. The 2014 NEC includes a provision that a PV array have the

Newer Codes Mean Better Safety in Photovoltaic Systems

Mike stone, NeMa west Coast Field Representative


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But did we learn anything from those tragedies in the first half of the 20th century? Would technology and adoption of new laws stemming from the development of an expanding Life Safety Code prevent future loss of life or is there another factor to consider?

In 1977, the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, became the third deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history when 165 people died. It was cited as having an inadequate number of fire escape exits. And as recently as 2003, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history occurred at The Station Night Club in Warwick, Rhode Island. One hundred people died, and although there were four operational exits, most people naturally proceeded toward the front door (the same through which they had entered). The ensuing stampede filled the narrow passageway to the door and quickly blocked the exit completely. Patrons and staff were among those killed. Many suffered significant crush injuries. After the fire, the NFPA enacted strict, new code provisions for fire sprinklers and crowd management. The owner and tour manager each received a 15-year prison sentence for various code violations.

Explosions, Natural DisastersFires arent the only reason emergency egress from a building must take place. Industrial disasters including the massive chemical explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas, and the

Most people find it disconcerting that it often takes a tragedy or the loss of life before significant changes occur in our society. Unfortunately, and in the same fashion, the development and evolution of the National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA) Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) is attributable to some of this nations largest tragedies in terms of loss of life.

Building FiresIn December 1903, the Iroquois Theatre caught fire in Chicago, Illinois. It is the deadliest single-building fire in U.S. historyat least 605 people died. Subsequently, a committee on the Safety to Life began development of the Life Safety Code. Theaters throughout the country were closed for retrofitting. All exits were to be clearly marked and doors configured so that even if they could not be pulled open from the outside, they could be pushed open from the inside. The mayor ordered all theaters in Chicago closed for six weeks after the fire.

In November 1942, 492 people died because they could not get out of the burning Cocoanut Grove night club in Boston, Massachusetts. The club had only one operational doora turnstile door. If you pushed from the left side and the right side at the same time, the door would not open. As a result of this tragedy, the NFPA, with help from NEMA, rewrote much of the Life Safety Code to be suitable for adoption into local, state, and federal law.

Should It Take a Disaster to Make a Change?Tony Campbell, director of Brand Management, dual-lite



exercising to maximize their performance and they have a finite lifecycle, so monthly tests and inspections are needed. Of all the life safety system components to inspect, emergency lighting is one of the most critical, yet most often overlooked.

The Life Safety Code is clear: the burden to comply with the code is on the shoulders of the building owner. But the code is just thata code and not the law. In some cases, local, state and federal laws may not adopt all aspects or the latest versions of the Life Safety Code. Therefore, the AHJ is there only to inspect and ensure compliance with the latest applicable version of the law.

Although ignorance is never an excuse to violate the law, many building owners are unaware that they are responsible for keeping such records, so a continual education process is needed before the nation experiences another mass casualty. For those owners who do know, they are faced with the choice of paying to

install, maintain, and test the emergency lighting system; or save money and risk getting caught. Unfortunately, some owners choose to save the money. This is a result, in part, of building owners not always being held accountable until after an accident occurs.

Fire marshals and building inspectors require special training, and have an increasing number of buildings to inspect each year with resources that seem to get cut annually. Some buildings get overlooked altogether, and to save time, some fire marshals do not ask for written records and assume the owner is

responsible. For the most part, building owners are responsible, but more often than wed like to know, they take the risk since there are few (if any) consequences until its too late.

Yes, its disconcerting that it often takes a tragedy or death before significant changes occur in our society. From the tragedies experienced in the 20th century, NEMA has helped formulate a robust life safety code that is updated every three years and written to be easily adapted into law. Even more disheartening is the lack of code compliance. As lighting professionals, it is not only our privilege to help develop the most meaningful and comprehensive emergency lighting standard and products, but our duty to promote the importance of complying with the Life Safety Code and continue the conversation about improving safety options in emergency situations. ei

Mr. Campbell currently serves as chairman of the NEMA Emergency Lighting Section and works as director of brand management for Dual-Lite, a division of Hubbell Lighting, Inc., which manufactures emergency and life safety products for the lighting industry.

dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, made headlines within the past ten years.

Natural disasters that can cause building damage and the need for emergency egresshurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floodsare also responsible for unnecessary injuries and deaths. Certainly the events of September 11, 2001, and other unimaginable tragedies including those of Columbine, Aurora, Sandy Hook, and too many others, need to be remembered when discussing safety.

But the question must be asked, why is it that during any emergency where people must quickly exit a public building, there is occasionally a significant loss of life? Could that tragedy have been prevented?

Saving LivesWhile the root cause for each emergency varies, one thing that remains consistent is that if the building owners had followed the Life Safety Code to the letter of the law, more lives may have been saved. NEMAs efforts to continually clarify and update the Life Safety Code save more lives every day, but even the loss of one life due to improperly functioning life safety equipment should be unacceptable. The Life Safety Code is only as effective as it is applied and enforced.

Every day, fire marshals and building inspectors throughout the country inspect thousands of buildings to ensure Life Safety Code compliance. During an inspection, a fire marshal notes the condition of sprinklers, alarms, emergency elevator controls, and fire extinguishers. The fire marshal also inspects for proper containment of flammable materials, overloaded electrical wiring, and adequate exit signage and discharge areas for proper egress capacity. If the inspector identifies a problem, such as a blocked fire exit, the marshal can issue a warning or fine, and explain to the building owner how to remedy the situation.

However, one aspect of life safety systems that often gets overlooked is emergency lighting. According to the Life Safety Code, functional testing of emergency lighting equipment must be conducted every 30 days for no less than 30 seconds, and once annually for no less than 90 minutes. The building owner must keep available written records of the monthly visual inspections for review by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Most life safety system components do not rely on a battery to operate, but the emergency lighting portion almost always draws power from a battery supply. Batteries need



U.S. manufacturers have a long history of working with nationally recognized testing laboratories (NRTLs) to ensure that their products meet performance and safety standards. This partnership of industry, standards organizations, testing laboratories, and government results in products that deliver excellent performance combined with some of the safest working environments in the world.

One example of this partnership is exemplified in the producers of arc-welding and plasma-cutting products, which have long had a strong focus on safety, performance, and reliability. In some applications, these products deliver their performance by producing plasma arcs with temperatures above 20,000C (36,032F) and voltages exceeding 20,000 volts, making the need to take a safety-first view of product design abundantly clear. Similar to other NEMA product sections, the Arc Welding Section has developed strong standards to ensure a common level of safety of arc-welding and plasma-cutting products.

In the U.S., arc-welding and plasma-cutting power sources listed by a NRTL to ANSI, CSA, and UL standards are subjected to numerous tests and requirements such as insulation resistance, enclosure strength, drop testing, dielectric strength, fault testing, and specific operator instructions and safety markings. One reason the welding industry has a good product safety record is that the ANSI/NEMA/IEC technical committees have continuously invested in standards development for more 25 years. These committees show a great track record of collaboration between business, regulatory bodies, and government agencies with a common goal of safety for the buying public.

As most U.S. manufacturers also have strong global export businesses, designs must meet or exceed international regulations. In many cases these regulations are harmonized, but often there are unique regional requirements for specific design considerations. It shouldnt be a surprise that verifying that arc-welding and plasma-cutting products meet these regulations is usually required prior to offering products for sale in these regions. However, what might be a surprise is that the U.S. does not have a similar requirementarc-welding and plasma-cutting products can be offered for sale on the open market even if they have not been determined to meet a minimum level of safety and performance.

Using Unlisted Products Poses Safety Risks

aaron Brandt, Vice president, engineering, hypertherm inc. derek silva, director, Global products Marketing, intertek

Due to this lack of regulation, products that have not been evaluated to ANSI, CSA, or UL safety requirements are currently available on the U.S. market. NEMA member companies have evaluated some of these non-listed products and found significant deficiencies that could result in safety concerns and hazards for the end-user. These same products that have gaps against U.S. code requirements are coming from various regions of the world, many of which have more stringent standards if the same products were sold locally. Therefore, the use of these products can result in injury or property damage.

Arc-welding and plasma-cutting products are not alone in this situation. Other products that can be found in the U.S. or Canada without a listing include A/V amplifiers and high-end home audio amplifiers. Although not as inherently dangerous as arc-weldings high voltages and temperatures, electrical/electronic products could pose safety risks if there is no minimum assurance of safety and performance.

The standard that applies to audio products (IEC/UL/CSA 60065 Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus) specifies electronic apparatus designed to be fed from a main power supply, a supply apparatus, battery, or remote power feed. Examples of tests conducted on such products include durability and markings, temperature, dielectric withstand, insulation resistance, fault conditions,creepage, and clearance. Manufacturers sellingor attempting to sellunlisted products in the U.S. and Canada potentially put people and property in harms way by not showing compliance to these baseline safety tests.

With global supply chains reaching unknown vendors and component manufacturers, accountability is often difficult to maintain. Third-party testing and certification to prescribed standards is the best way to ensure safe products. The theme of safety is one that NEMA product sections take very seriously. These efforts continue the long history of our member companies identifying how we can continuously improve our approach to ensure the safety of the U.S. marketplace. ei

Mr. Brandt focuses on delivering on Hypertherms product and technology roadmap while fostering creativity and innovation across engineering teams. Mr. Silva works with manufacturers, AHJs, industry associations and media to promote product safety certification and quality.


An example of work being done is a project by Sandia National Laboratory to analyze ES system safety holistically. Based on complex systems theory, these tools provide a procedure to evaluate hazards and engineer safer systems. The procedure identifies a systems safety-critical control actions, such as an over-temperature alarm, and then explores all logical permutations on how these actions could produce hazards. Each permutation is analyzed for systematic causal factors, accounting for changes over time and operational environments. Controls can then be engineered to remove or account for causal factors, eliminating potential issues as close to their source as possible. This approach is gaining acceptance in industries such as aviation and nuclear power generation, and is well suited for technologies like ES.

Another project addresses the development of a new article covering ES systems in the National Electrical Code (NEC).It has involved NEMA, DOE-OE, DOEs national laboratories, and the National Fire Protection Association. The new Article 706 combines criteria for batteries located in various articles and sections of NEC, and creates a single location to address ES safety that can grow as technology evolves. It is expected to be published in the 2017 NEC.

In order to further facilitate the agenda of the safety strategic plan, DOE established an Energy Storage Safety Working Group, which includes NEMA, EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), ESA (Energy Storage Association), and others. It will identify and prioritize knowledge gaps associated with ES system safety. Subgroups will address identified issues and translate them into activities.

ES system safety must be addressed if energy storage is to develop into a full-fledged industry.

Dr. Gyuk develops a portfolio of storage technologies for a broad spectrum of applications. Dr. Atcitty was a winner of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2011. ei

Energy storage (ES) is being accepted as an integral part of the electric grid. The Department of Energys (DOE) Global Energy Storage Database now has some 1,200 entries, and the number of installations is growing rapidly. With increasing deployment and a growing number of market participants from the U.S. and abroad, validated safety is becoming a crucial issue. While there are a considerable number of codes and standards for batteries, however, no such standards are available for storage systems. DOE is pursuing a program of actively and systematically addressing ES safety.

In order to consider the issues involved in validating ES systems, stakeholders assembled at the DOE Energy Storage Safety Workshop in February 2014. They included manufacturers, scientists, utility representatives, firefighters, and members of the insurance industry. They identified the following needs:

Manufacturers of ES systems are increasing system and component level production, and must be confident in the safety of their products.

Regulators must review the system installations in terms of application space, ownership, risk, and potential litigation.

Insurers must develop applicable risk assessment methodologies.

First responders must be able to safely and successfully respond to any incidents involving the systems.

DOEs Office of Electricity (DOE-OE) took the lead and developed a Grid Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan, which was released in December 2014. It provides a roadmap for stakeholders to address the challenges they face related to ES safety and reliability. The plan identified four areas of focus:

Research into improved safety technologies is vital to making batteries less vulnerable to abuse conditions, and to make certain that safety systems such as fire suppression, ventilation, and battery management are effective.

Development of tools for risk assessment and management is crucial to securing appropriate financial insurance of large deployments of ES.

Work with first responders on incident preparedness to ensure an incident response plan is in place and communicated to first responders as part of the permitting process.

Update codes, standards, and regulations surrounding energy storage so that deployment requirements are consistent and the highest degree of system safety is codified.

Securing Safety in Energy Storage Systemsimre Gyuk, phd, program Manager for energy storage Research, U.s. department of energy, Office of electricity

dr. stan atcitty, phd, energy storage systems Researcher, sandia National laboratories

Learn more at: www.energystorageexchange.org

and energy.gov/oe/services/technology-development/energy-storage


ELECTRICAL SAFETYAREyOugROuNDED?

In Sumter County, inspection of the existing electrical system at what had been a department store showed flaws, mainly because of poor bonding and grounding. The communications tower, for example, had its own independent and inadequate grounding, and was not bonded to any other element. The emergency generators and building structure were all independently groundedeach with its own ground rodexposing its poor design. The main grounding electrode consisted of a single galvanized steel rod from the 1970s, with very high resistance to earth. Building steel was not connected.

To work effectively, an entire grounding system needs to be properly designed, using listed connectors and corrosion-resistant materials. Copper and its alloys are the most common materials in use for this application because they provide reliability, excellent electrical conductivity, and superior corrosion resistance. The retrofit system was designed and installed for under $40,000a minimal cost considering the value of the equipment protected, and improved public safety it brought to the residents of Sumter County.

On the other hand, grounding systems at the Orange County facilities were not designed or installed by the same contractor, which led to inconsistencies. Employing a total systems approach led to installation of robust grounding systems that help protect property from future lightning damage. Deep earth electrodes, ring grounds, proper bonding, and importantly, exceeding code minimums (especially in resistance to earth)all integral to the success of a lightning protection system were incorporated into new layouts.

Simply put, if the path of least resistance to the ground for lightning is through wiring or equipment, then that is where the electric charge flows. Lightning produces very high currents in short-time intervals, but they are long enough to cause fires or to destroy microcircuits even miles away. For 911 and communication facilities, a lightning protection system is almost always required for safety and equipment protection.

For more information, visit www.copper.org/PQ. ei

Mr. Brender directs and manages electrical programs at CDA, including its energy efficiency and power quality initiatives, building wire program, telecommunications wire, and other work.

Several factors can cause a facility to experience a power outage or equipment failuresome caused by human error and others triggered by Mother Nature. However, whether its a broadcast communications tower, data center, or 911 emergency response system, even the slightest hiccup in service can be detrimental for the people it serves.

In Florida, two individual facilities were struck by lightning. Both agencies 911 emergency response systems went offline temporarily and cost millions in damages as a result.

The Sumter County Sheriffs Department opened its new offices in a former department store after Hurricane Charley in 2004. The aging electrical system wasnt equipped to handle the needs or workload of a critical communications and public safety facility. The office didnt want a repeat of a lightning storm when the 911 system failed, leaving county residents without police, fire, or ambulance response.

A similar situation occurred in another community where the Orange County Public Safety office operates nine tower sites and 11 emergency response centers. Being in the heart of Floridas Lightning Alley, the several approximately 300-foot communication towers were easy and frequent targets during storms. Damage to transmitters and other lost equipment cost the county nearly $1 million per year.

In both cases, electrical upgrades were made to the power quality infrastructure to prevent service disruption and to mitigate equipment breakdown. When safety is compromised, the installation of proper electrical grounding and lightning protection systems should be paramount.

There are a variety of techniques that can help prevent or alleviate the effects of poor power quality. Most importantly, they involve better electrical design and installation of additional wiring and grounding. These techniques are usually inexpensive to install, especially when a building is undergoing construction, and may also be cost effective during retrofits.

The recommended practice 911 facilities are generally found in IEEE literature, NFPA 780, and Motorola R56 standards, with the caveat that grounding and surge protection are even more critical in a communications environment.

Total Systems Approach to Electrical Grounding Safeguards Emergency Response Centers

david Brender, National program Manager, Copper development association (Cda)


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Three Steps to ComplianceMany manufacturers of electrical products employ the services of an independent NRTL such as CSA, ETL, and UL. The presence of a listing symbol confirms that products meet the highest standards. The lack of a listing symbol on any electrical product, including ground rods and connectors, should raise a red flag.

Electrical contractors purchase various components in preparation to assemble and install at a site. Code compliance is paramount to a line-in-the-sand. It allows a quality product, which is distributed by a reputable supplier and purchased by an electrical contractor, to be integrated into a quality installation.

The final step is inspection. Without a certified and qualified electrical inspector (the AHJ, having knowledge of various codes and final approval authority prior to power being applied to the system), an opportunity remains to violate the National Electrical Code or other applicable local or state codes.

Education is critical to code compliance. Installation practices and codes change periodically. Unless you stay up-to-date with each part of the process, you may find yourself out-of-date in terms of code compliance.

Attention to standards throughout the process from the manufacturers raw material selection to final inspection is what assures grounding system reliability and personnel safety. ei

Mr. Lund has been with Galvan Industries Inc., for 12 years. He is a member of NEMA 8CC and IAEI.

What assurance do you have that a ground rod and connector provide a reliable and compliant grounding system path for current to earth?Any bonding and grounding system is only as good as its weakest link. If you use a compliant ground rod with a non-compliant grounding conductor or connector in your grounding system, you may have created a liability issue. Thus, there is the need for a system that is fully compliant with product specifications, certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL), installed in accordance with national and local codes as well as manufacturers instructions, and a final inspection by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which cannot be over-emphasized.

Proper grounding is important for equipment protection, system reliability, and (of course) personnel protection and safety. Non-compliant counterfeit products, which have been used in electrical systems for decades, not only raises safety concerns but also penalizes those manufacturers and distributors who strive to provide the highest quality products for electrical systems. Counterfeit products are often sold at lower prices; this exacerbates problems in assuring system quality and safety.

Contractors and distributors expect manufacturers to follow standards to ensure interchangeability with equivalent products and provide product quality to at least the minimum allowable level. In the case of ground rod electrodes, NEMAs GR1 manufacturing specification represents minimum performance guidelines. Without it, there is no standard. This leaves the door open for products to be installed incorrectly or in a way that compromises safety.

Grounding Systems Only as Good as Weakest Link

James lund, director of sales & Marketing, Galvan industries, inc.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETYAREyOugROuNDED?

Fire Safety Applying Science + Technology The Department of Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) at the University of Maryland is the only academic department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in fire engineering, and offers the only accredited undergraduate FPE program in the U.S. The departments faculty actively conducts fire safety research.

Founded in 1956 by Professor John L. Bryan, the department has grown to include seven full-time professors, an enrollment of about 200 students, and annual research expenditures of $2 million.

Undergraduate courses give students a broad background in the discipline, building on a set of fundamental math, science, and basic engineering courses. The curriculum features a mixture of theory, design, experiments, and computer simulations.

Understanding the Structure of FireFire protection engineering courses focus on two areas: fire hazards and the means by which to mitigate them. Fire behavior is studied in depth, beginning with understanding the structure of a flame. This leads to a discussion of the generation of heat and combustion products. This is followed by an assessment of thermal and smoke conditions developed in spaces where fires occur.

The net result of this study is to assess the damage potential to people, contents, and the environment exposed to fire. One interesting phenomenon explored in the lab is the development of fire whirls (also referred to as fire tornados). These occur in many wildland fires and in urban settings if multiple buildings are involved. The fire whirl develops as air is channeled in a circular pattern toward the fire, resulting in greatly increased burning rates and heat release rates as compared to a fire that does not develop a fire whirl.

Other courses address the design of fire suppression, fire alarm, smoke control, and evacuation systems, as well as protection methods for structural members of buildings. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) installation standards are discussed in all coursework involving the design of fire protection systems, with emphasis on the fundamental principles underlying these requirements.

Core assignments expose students to the design of fire suppression and fire safety systems for real-world applications. For example, this spring FPEs senior capstone design course challenges students to develop a system for a local museum that achieves specified fire safety goals.

Fire tornado created in laboratory depicts the whirl that develops as air is channeled in a circular pattern toward the fire. Photo courtesy of Faye Levine, FPE


Current support for the project includes seed funding from the A. James Clark School of Engineering and funding from Bentley Software through the Chief Donald J. Burns Memorial Grant administered by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. As a part of the grant, Bentleys BIM software is coupled with integrated sensor and fire modeling tools for fire size and location determination and visualization. Figure1 includes a photo and BIM depiction of a burn tower at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI), which is used for the experiments.

Siemens donated the fire alarm and sensor components needed for this research project, including a control unit, 30 multi-criteria photoelectric smoke/CO/temperature sensors, and 15 supervising modules with occupancy monitor sensors and contact sensors located on windows and doorways. Results from computer modeling of the fires are depicted via BIM software.

Dr. Milke has served as a Research Fire Prevention Engineer at the Center for Fire Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Fire Protection Engineer for Fairfax County, Virginia; Research Assistant for the University of Maryland; and consultant to several organizations.

The graduate program is offered on campus and online, and explores many of the same topics, but at a higher level to address situations with increased complexity. The graduate program also includes courses that explore the fundamental theories associated with topics such as fire behavior, material flammability, and suppression with water sprays.

Educating the PublicDepartment faculty and students are involved in outreach and developing public service announcements. These efforts have included recent collaborations with the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office concerning fire pots, a partnership with FM Global to promote campus fire safety, and an internally-funded activity that assessed the fire hazard associated with live Christmas trees.

FPEs faculty members are engaged in a wide variety of research studies. Examples of some recent efforts include:

assessing the performance of smoke detectors in a wide variety of occupancies (in two projects supported by NEMA)

identifying precursors to cooking-related fires in order to detect cooktop fires before they happen;

using sensor arrays for a smart, networked infrastructure (see below)

assessing the fire risk of R-32 refrigerants modeling smoke transport in green buildings and the limits of make-up air in atrium smoke control systems

measuring the characteristics of sprinkler sprays and modeling the interaction of sprinkler sprays with fire plumes

understanding the structure of flames (including in micro-gravity situations) and the generation of combustion products

predicting the development and spread of wild land fires

Demonstrating Viability The sensor array projects goal is to demonstrate the viability of real-time fire information for critical decision-making through connected, commercially-available sensors (e.g., security, fire protection, energy management) and computer models (e.g., fire analysis software and CAD/BIM1 software) in a well-controlled building fire test.

1 computer-aided design and building information model

Fire Safety Applying Science + Technology Jim Milke, phd, pe, professor and Chair, department of Fire protection engineering, University of Maryland

MFRI burn tower (left) and a BIM depiction are used in sensor array experiments. Images by Rosalie Wills and Andre Marshall, FPE, University of Maryland, with support from Bentley, Siemens, and MFRI

Want to pursue a career in fire protection engineering? Visit fpe.umd.edu

or contact [email protected]


ELECTRICAL SAFETYFIREPROTECTION

Coveralls should be fitted for hip and waist sizes so excess fabric does not get caught on equipment handles or affect mobility.

The body of coveralls should fit the wearer, not just the sleeve- and pant-lengths.

Shirts should have adjustable cuffs to keep shirtsleeves from riding up.

COMFORT MeaNs pROdUCTiViTyAn uncomfortable worker may have discomfort on her mind rather than the job at hand. Further, a misfit uniform could preclude a worker from bending, lifting, or moving fluidly. Women need the right tools for the jobincluding FR garments that are fitted appropriately.

In addition to size and cut, garments should be suitable for the temperature to ensure comfort. In fact, a recent study1 found FR garment wearers consider light weight and breathability two of the most important aspects of comfort in FR garments.

Examine the fabric quality and traits of FR garments to ensure they are engineered for moisture-wicking and breathability.

Consider garments where the FR technology is inherent (woven into the fabric). This eliminates any heavy FR coatings that could make garments uncomfortable or stiff.

Provide specific instructions as to what is acceptable on-site for extreme temperatures.

UNiFORMiTy FOR MeN aNd wOMeNTodays FR garment programs must include options for women, which should align with the garments selected for men. When sourcing FR garments, ensure the manufacturer offers the same fabric and features in garments for both women and men fits.

Womens garments may differ from mens in the sizing, cut, and details like smaller buttons, but to ensure workforce consistency, ensure that logo, color, and style remain consistent with other garments in the workplace.

A womens FR program is about equipping women with the right tools to help improve performance, comfort, and safety. Women should feel comfortable, functional, and safe from head-to-toe. ei

Ms. Stoner specializes in FR garment programs.

1 FR Market Research Study, Bainbridge Strategy Consulting. June 2014.

Flame-resistant (FR) garments are traditionally designed for a mans proportions or unisex proportions. Today though, women are entering this mans world, taking on jobs that require constant FR wear. Here is a guide of key considerations when specifying FR garments to help ensure women are outfitted safely and comfortably in the workplace.

saFeTy FiRsTRosie the Riveter may have rocked the look, but rolling up sleeves in a workplace where FR apparel is required is not an option. When women wear unisex or mens FR garments, personal modifications are often made for a better fit. This can increase the likelihood of an accident in the workplace, such as oversized clothing getting caught in machinery or coveralls with long bodies causing trip hazards.

This can be avoided by selecting womens FR garments that are designed in a range of sizes (extra-small to plus size) to accommodate different body types.

Shirtsleeves should be short enough that they do not need to be rolled or cuffed.

Shirttails should be long enough to tuck in, but short enough to eliminate bunching when tucked into pants.

Outfitting Women with Flame-Resistant Garments Ensures Safety

sherryl stoner, Customer service Manager for inside sales and Quality assurance, TeCGeN FR Garments

Photo courtesy of TECGEN FR Garments


functions including fire, security, environment, energy, and occupant control.

We need the best new and young minds in NEMA to guide and align with the changing elements of our society and technology. We must encourage university students, interns, or entry-level manufacturing members to participate in NEMA sections. We need the next generation of members involved in our lifesaving programs and processes. ei

Mr. Finnegan is second vice chair of the NEMA Signaling Protection and Communication Section.

While we are grateful for the experiences and quality of life that the firefighters, the fire safety industry, and NEMA efforts have provided to our lives, I ask, Are we doing enough to support and continue the future of fire safety?

I started in the fire service in 1970the first full-time person hired in a developing suburban fire district that operated a paid-on-call process. As fire inspector, my role was to do review, code development/enforcement, and fire prevention inspections in all non-single, family structures in the district.

In the 70s and 80s, I witnessed an explosion of serious loss-of-life fires in the U.S., the publication of America Burning,1 and the development of fire safety codes and standards that are the foundation of todays fire safety programs. It was an exciting time. There were advancements in early-warning smoke detection and fire sprinklers as well as in firefighting operations with a focus on firefighter safety and property protection. The industry grew with young professionals making a career in fire safety.

NEMA was very involved during this period and brought together fire alarm manufacturers to develop a common platform to advance smoke detection technology and fire alarm systems. It was the industry go-to source for training manuals on fire alarm systems.

While it may be true that mature and experienced members of our industry are now well-suited to participate in organizations such as NEMA, it is this operating model that has gotten us to where we are todayparticipation and membership in industry organizations has declined. As the Baby Boomer generation sunsets, we need to align our organization to attract leadership among the Gen X-ers and Millennials.

The next chapter of our industry will look very different. We are already seeing terms like IoT (Internet of Things) and CPS (Cyber Physical Systems) entering research and academics. Fire and smoke sensors not only have achieved intelligence, smart sensors and intelligent buildings will be the norm. The fire alarm system in 20 years may be a building master control system that will handle all building operational

1 America Burning is a 1973 report written by the National Commission on

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