The Association of Electrical Equipment and Medical Imaging Manufacturers n www.nema.org n May 2012 n Vol. 17 No.

National Electrical Safety Month

Guarding against Electrical Hazards

ALSO INSIDE

n Safety Begins at Home, but Shouldnt Stay There n Lightning Protection Systems n Online Resources n Safety Aspects of Dose Initiatives

HINDSIGHT PREVENTION
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FEATURES:
Lightning Protection System Ultimate Line of Defense ................................8

DEPARTMENTS:
Government Relations Update ........................5 California Regulatory Update ........................................5 Safety Begins at Home, but Shouldnt Stay There Legislative & Regulatory Developments .......................6 Oregon Passes Mercury Content Bill for Lighting with NEMA Support ........................................7 Power Marketing Administrations Told to Move Ahead on Grid Modernization .......................................7 Electroindustry News ...................................25 Dose Initiatives Underscore Industrys Commitment to Patient Safety ....................................25 Code Actions / Standardization Trends...........26 Wiring Practices & Troubleshooting with AFCIs ..........26 NEMA Announces Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter Basics Training Course ..................................................27 Inspections: Who is the Customer? .............................28 Electrical InspectorsIt Wont Happen to Me! .........29 NEMA Hires New Southern Field Representative ........29 Calculation Tool Highlights New Edition of NEMA Conduit Fittings Selection and Installation Guidelines ...30 International Roundup ................................31 NEMA Hosts Visiting Intelligent Transportation Systems Delegation from Mexico ................................31 Economic Spotlight ......................................32 EBCI Online...................................................................32 Available from NEMA/BIS The Electroindustry Economic Outlook .......................32 The 2012 award will not be limited to an executive of a NEMA company. Kite & Key awards are open to individuals who have been active in NEMA and the industry. Winners will be recognized November 10, 2012, during Illuminations Weekend, NEMAs annual meeting, in Florida. Email nominations to Karen.Sterba-Miller@nema.org.

CONTENTS

Lightning Strikes Twice: Proper Grounding Prevents Outages .............10 Why is Good Grounding Important? ..............12 New Code Requirements Expand Carbon Monoxide Detection..............14 Emergency Communication Systems Provide Safer Structures, Save Lives ..............16 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Alarm SystemsA Key to Life Safety ......18 ESFI Highlights Emerging Technologies during National Electrical Safety Month ........21 Duty to Warn U.S. Standards on Warnings and Instructions are Updated .......................22 Know before Digging APWA Provides Uniform Marking of Underground Facilities .................................24

NOTES:
NEMA Officers ................................................................2 Comments from the C-Suite..........................................2 View from the Top ..........................................................3 Policy & Politics ..............................................................4 Learn More ...................................................................32

Did You Know

You can nominate an industry leader for a prestigious award? NEMAs Bernard H. Falk Award recognizes outstanding achievement in technology, management, marketing, international trade, education, public affairs or other fields important to the electroindustry.

ECO BOX
NEMA electroindustry text and cover pages are printed using SFI certified Anthem paper using soy ink. SFI certified products come from North American forests managed to rigorous environmental standards. SFI standards conserve biodiversity and protect soil and water quality, as well as wildlife habitats. SFI forests are audited by independent experts to ensure proper adherence to the SFI Standard. SFI participants also plant more than 650 million trees each year to keep these forests thriving.

Publisher | Joseph Higbee Managing Editor / Editor in Chief | Pat Walsh Contributing Editors | William E. Green III Chrissy L. Skudera Economic Spotlight | Timothy Gill Standards | Al Scolnik Government Relations Update | Kyle Pitsor Art Director | Jennifer Tillmann Media Sales Team Leader | Stephanie Bunsick

electroindustry

electroindustry (ISSN 1066-2464) is published monthly by NEMA, the Association of Electrical Equipment and Medical Imaging Manufacturers, 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 1752, 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 1752, 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 electroindustry at www.nema.org/subscribe2ei Contact us at comm@nema.org Follow NEMA: www.nema.org/facebook, blog.nema.org, podcast.nema.org, twitter.com/NEMAupdates, www.youtube.com/NEMAvue, www.nema.org/linkedin

Officers
Chairman Dominic J. Pileggi Chairman of the Board & CEO Thomas & Betts Corporation First Vice Chairman John Selldorff President & CEO Legrand North America Second Vice Chairman Christopher Curtis President & CEO Schneider Electric Treasurer Thomas Gross Vice Chairman & COO Eaton Corporation Immediate Past Chairman David J. FitzGibbon Vice Chairman & CEO ILSCO Corporation President & CEO Evan R. Gaddis Secretary Clark R. Silcox

COMMENTS FROM THE C-SUITE

A lot of us love golf. Every so often, we are willing to take a risk and attempt a shot statistically proven more difficult to place. But the big payoff has at times been worth the risk. While our consistent approach to golf sometimes gives way to such risks, we do it with a full understanding of the potential downside. But safety is no game. It is the top priority of the electrical manufacturing and medical imaging industry. There is no success that can be achieved in the research, manufacturing, and deployment of electrical products that rises above ensuring the safety of our products. Our industry is a proven advocate of electrical safetythe risk of unsafe products is just too immense. This is why NEMA and its companies have led the charge in advocating legislation and instituting safety standards that meet the demands of todays world. While we build products to very high safety criteria, we also manufacture products that are specifically designed for safety. Innovative safety solution products stand as an example of how NEMA members keep individuals and families across America safe. These products are expanding in capabilities and saving lives every day. I would be amiss if I did not mention the very successful collaborative program started by NEMA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission: The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). The organization is expanding its international footprint through the backing of members such as The Home Depot, WESCO Distribution, and State Farm insurance. We need your support; I encourage you to work with ESFI. Additionally, Id like to highlight its new campaign (see more on page 21). ESFI is moving forward to reduce counterfeit products in the marketplace and raise awareness of the importance of electrical safety. Nothing is more important than ensuring safety where we work and play. As springtime is now in full swing, you can work hard and play hard knowing our industry is better than par at keeping you safe. ei

Dominic J. Pileggi Chairman

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

View from the Top

Innovative Technologies Spur Call to Action for ESFI
Stephen Sokolow, Chairman of the Board, Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. At Leviton, we pride ourselves on bringing continuous innovation to the electrical industry by providing the most comprehensive range of smart solutions for professionals in residential, commercial, and industrial markets around the world. We commend the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) for encouraging innovation to take center stage during National Electrical Safety Month this May by educating consumers about safe practices for emerging residential technologies. As an industry leader in the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) market, our product lines are rigorously tested both in our facilities and through thirdparty testing organizations. Leviton pioneered the industrys first plug-in prewire system for Level 21 EVSEs,
1

enabling consumers to adequately prepare their homes for a charging station before purchasing an electric vehicle. However, the home is only part of the equation. Consumers must be equipped with the knowledge required to operate the equipment safely. ESFI has proven to be an invaluable partner, seamlessly bridging the gap between industry and the consumer through the development of highly effective electrical safety awareness materials. The foundations evolving library of safety resources perfectly complements our state-of-theart products to ensure that consumers have the knowledge to safely utilize our newest technologies. TRR BaTTle Rages On As society embraces the latest innovations, it is important to not overlook safety technologies that are still relatively modern, though not considered cutting edge. ESFIs National Electrical Safety Month resources also highlight the importance of tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs), and how they can prevent shock and

burn injuries to children that insert objects into wall outlets. Leviton is a leading manufacturer of TRRs, which have proven so effective that the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires them to be installed in all newly constructed homes. Despite their proven effectiveness, the adoption of this simple home technology into the NEC was a difficult endeavor undertaken by Leviton and other industry leaders as part of a taskforce spearheaded by NEMA. Though we were ultimately successful in having TRRs included in the code, no nationally consistent code enforcement exists and implementation varies on a statewide level. To date, 46 out of 50 states require TRRs in new homes, but we wont be satisfied until this regulation is adopted in every jurisdiction in the country. Additionally, there is no requirement for consumers to install TRRs in existing homes. ESFIs National Electrical Safety Month campaign is the latest platform that allows us to champion the cause for TRRs, which will encourage homeowners to install the devices voluntarily, regardless of electrical code requirements. ei

According to U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program, Level 2 is the primary and preferred method for a battery electric vehicle charger. It specifies a 240-VAC, singlephase, 40A branch circuit and employs special equipment to provide a higher level of safety required by the National Electrical Code.

Get the National Electrical Safety Month Toolkit

The 2012 National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) campaign provides consumers with an introduction to some of the latest advances in residential electrical technologies, including important safety considerations for existing home electrical systems. ESFI encourages consumers to consider the overall electrical safety of their homes when making decisions regarding the installation of new technologies. ESFIs NESM Toolkit is a collection of new resources to help you facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school, or family. Included are useful facts and related safety tips about electric vehicles, smart meters, solar and wind power, and other technologies. Visit http://esfi.org/index.cfm/cdid/12474/pid/10272

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Policy & Politics

BILL NAME Smart Energy Act, HR 4017 SPONSOR(S) Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH); Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) SUMMARY OF BILL AND IMPORTANCE NEMA POSITION STATUS Introduced 2/14/12 Next Step: House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing Support: Promotes energy efficiency and Establishes a federal loan program for energy-efficiency upgrades in commercial, greater adoption of energy efficient technologies multifamily residential, industrial, municipal, government, school, and hospital buildings. Enables federal government to use energy-savings performance contracts in in buildings. support of deployment of electric vehicles or electric vehicle supply equipment. Requires federal agencies to participate in demand response programs to reduce energy costs. Requires analysis of best practices in federal buildings for advanced metering, including recommendations on guidelines for automated energy management systems. Establishes investment tax credits for a broad array of energy storage technologies that are connected to the grid (20% credit) or used on-site at industrial, commercial, or residential locations (30% credit). Support: Accelerates adoption of energy storage technologies.

Storage Technology for Sen. Ron Wyden Renewable and Green (D-OR); Rep. Chris Energy (STORAGE) Act, Gibson (R-NY) S 1845 / HR 4096 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, S 1000 Regulatory Accountability Act HR 3010, S 1606

Introduced in House and Senate Next Step: Senate Committee on Finance, House Committee on Ways & Means Voted out of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 7/14/2011 Next Step: Senate floor

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Creates federal-state loan programs for commercial building and industrial facility Support with modification: Promotes (D-NH); Sen. Rob energy efficiency upgrades that the market is not currently encouraging. Incents states energy efficiency, supports manufacturing jobs, and Portman (R-OH) to adopt national building energy codes developed by ASHRAE or ICC. increases U.S. competitiveness. Modification to building code provisions pending. Sen. Lamar Smith (R-TX); Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) Modernizes 1946 Administrative Procedures Act (APA) for economically significant regulations. Enhances public participation in rulemakings; requires agencies to choose the lowest cost option or explain compelling need otherwise; calls for on-the-record administrative hearings with agency officials; includes direct and indirect cumulative costs, benefits, and estimated impact on jobs, growth, innovation, and competitiveness; considers reasonable alternatives, including no federal response. Would not affect any regulations in effect or proposed. Promotes energy efficiency and high performance in federal buildings through integrated and holistic approach to building design, construction, operations, and maintenance including use of building information modeling, lifecycle costing, commissioning, and compliance verification. Directs Department of the Interior to prioritize minerals, including rare earths, based on importance to U.S. economy; outlines policies to bolster domestic production of these minerals, expand manufacturing, promote recycling and alternatives, and maintain strong environmental protections. Since electroindustry relies on stable supply of materials, disruptions in international supply and demand, and a dearth of U.S. production, have significant impact in specific sectors.

Support: Incorporates established cost/benefit Approved by House 253-167, principles in considering rulemaking, makes 12/2/2011 the process more transparent, agencies more Next Step: Senate consideration accountable, and overhaul out-moded APA.

High Performance Federal Buldings Act, HR 3371

Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)

Support: Promotes energy efficiency in federal buildings and greater adoption on energy efficient technologies in these buildings. Support: Leverages work already done at Interior and Energy, and brings greater urgency and coordination at the federal level to create opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. Recognizes importance of critical materials for many NEMA industries, including arc welding, lighting, electric motors, superconducting wire, advanced batteries, and medical imaging. Support with modification: Seeking full $110 million authorization for ITS research program (Senate Bill would cut in half) and secure ITS deployment grant program.

Introduced 11/4/2011; referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Next Step: House committee hearing Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing held 6/9/2011 Next Step: Senate committee consideration

Critical Materials Policy Sen. Lisa Murkowski Act, S 1113 (R-AK)

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), S 1813 Surface Transportation Extension Act, HR 4348

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Rep. John Mica (R-FL)

Reauthorizes and reforms federal surface transportation programs. Would provide a greater emphasis on deployment of ITS technologies in federally-funded projects, but Senate bill would cut annual ITS research program funding authorization from $110 million to $50 million.

Senate passed MAP-21, 3/14; sent to House. House passed HR 4348 on 4/18 and requested a conference with Senate to reconcile the bills. Next Step: Current authorization expires 6/30. Introduced 1/25/2011 Next Step: Committee consideration Introduced 6/6/11 Next Step: Gain additional House support for movement in the Energy and Commerce Committee Introduced in House 3/29/12 Next step: Senate introduction of companion bill after recess

Protect Medical Rep. Erik Paulsen Innovation Act, HR 436 (R-MN) Rep. Whitfield The Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, (R-KY) and Rep. Barrow (D-GA) and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2011CARE Act, HR 2104 Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, HR 4326 Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH); Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT); Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

Repeals the $20 billion medical device tax enacted in the Affordable Care Act. The bill includes no offset. Requires certification of technicians who perform imaging services

Support: Eliminates a new 2.3% excise tax on all MITA product sales. Support: Bill would improve the use of imaging technology at the point of care, reducing adverse events and improving safety at no cost to manufacturers.

Requires CPSC to adopt voluntary consensus standards for CO alarms (ANSI/UL 2034) and detectors (ANSI/UL 2075) as mandatory consumer product safety rules. Creates a federal grants program to incentivize states to adopt laws/codes that mandate the installation of CO detection in homes. The monies could be used for public education, training of code enforcement, installation of devices in homes of low-income/elderly/ non-residential buildings where children spend time (e.g., schools).

Support: Provides assurance that all CO detection products in U.S. market meet rigorous standards industry already follows and creates incentives for states to enact laws, thereby growing markets for member products.

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Government Relations Update

California Regulatory Update
TiTle 20 appliance cOde In January, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted to adopt the proposed changes to Title 20 for Battery Chargers and Self-Contained Lighting Controls. The lighting controls portion saw few comments from NEMA. No significant concerns were raised as a result of a high degree of collaboration as proposal language was being developed. The battery charger portions of the code were approved by CEC despite many comments from a wide range of industry representatives whose arguments were mostly feasibility-related. One of the most common complaints was that testing did not yield data for a sufficiently representative population of devices. While thousands were tested, they represented only a few in any given product family because of the large scope of devices included in the proposal. Despite numerous objections, the draft proposal language was adopted almost entirely as written. NEMA sections directly affected are power electronics and emergency lighting for their uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and life safety lighting products, respectively. Exit signs are exempt. The final version of Title 20 with all proposals incorporated is expected to be published in mid-2012. As the effective dates of February 1, 2013, for most consumer products and January 1, 2017, for all non-consumer products approach, NEMA members can better gauge the impacts as product redesigns are investigated more fully. NEMA will monitor their efforts and bring matters of infeasibility and requests for waiver to CEC as needed. TiTle 24 Building cOde The California Building Code is in active revision this year. The official 45-day language is publicly available and is being evaluated by NEMA members for unforeseen impacts and the need for public comment by industry. NEMA member sections and working groups have reviewed many of the proposals for this cycle of Title 24s revision as part of the public proposal development process. Some of the changes are: completing the migration of lighting controls requirements in Title 24 to Title 20, adding more definitions for devices and applications to the foreword of the code, and adding increased requirements for energy efficiency both in terms of product performance and the application of products. The permitting and design processes are being expanded to include more details. Additional devices and design consideration will be required in installations done to code. One of these is the upgradable setback thermostat (UST)1. Despite several substantive complaints and comments, the strongest of which involve intellectual property, CEC has elected to pursue these code proposals despite industry objections. Legal issues are still being wrangled, but a requirement for USTs is alive and well in the 45-day language. A UST is an otherwise normal programmable thermostat, but with a communications port that will accept a radio module, thus upgrading the device to enable
1

communications with the utility, smart meters, or other demand response and energy usage monitoring programs. While some patents exist for this technology, it is important to note that these devices are not readily available or in widespread use. Since USTs arguably can be made, however, CEC has decided that the process followed for this proposal is not in violation of internal process requirements that require it to not mandate devices that do not exist. While NEMAand therefore the bulk of the thermostat industryopposes USTs, there is a strong chance that the UST proposals will also be carried through, given CECs recent performance in Title 20, where it approved controversial code proposals despite numerous objections. Some might say that the new home construction market for USTs is small and inconsequential, and thus not a big problem. This, however, does not factor into account: the influence California legislation has on other states and the fact that Title 24 continues to be modified in a way that requires up-to-code renovations more and more during maintenance and improvement jobs. It is unclear at this time how CEC will address the legal issues raised by NEMA, as they have not responded to formal NEMA letters to the Title 24 docket sent in November and January. NEMA is coordinating member-led comments to these proposals through the 15- and 45-day language periods that end in late spring 2012. ei Alex Boesenberg, Regulatory Affairs Manager | alex.boesenberg@nema.org

For background information, see NEMA Regulatory Actions Update, www.nema.org/Dec2011ei-UST

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Government Relations Update

Safety Begins at Home, but Shouldnt Stay There Legislative & Regulatory Developments
NEMA has long advocated for legislative, regulatory, and code initiatives that advance electrical and life safety. These efforts have resulted in state and local governments requiring installation of technology such as ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), and smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection devices in homes across the country. While safety begins at home, it isnt the only place where the health and lives of individuals are at stake. Here are a few of the things NEMA is doing to advance safety in other places. cO deTecTiOn in schOOls, cOmmeRcial ResidenTial Occupancies As school infrastructure ages, reports of CO incidents increase. Common sources of CO in schools include fossil fuel-fired heating systems, boilers, water heaters and other appliances, vehicles left idling in loading docks, and use of gas-fired power tools. Exposure of students and school personnel to CO is determined by proximity to CO-emitting sources and/or configuration of buildings HVAC systems. In an effort to stave off a growing threat, NEMA successfully advocated for adoption of CO detection requirements for schools in Connecticut, which enacted its law in 2011. NEMAs efforts to secure similar requirements in Maryland resulted in the legislatures passage of HB 2 / SB 173. These two precedents will give NEMA leverage in developing model code proposals for expansion of CO detection in schools to other states. Through its Signaling, Protection, and Communication Section, NEMA also has worked to expand CO detection to additional occupancies, including hotels, motels, dormitories, prisons, healthcare facilities, and others. Several states have adopted such requirements. Most recently, West Virginia enacted a law to require CO detection in hotels, motels, and other public lodging after a man died from CO poisoning while staying at a Charleston hotel. These requirements will become the norm as states adopt 2012 editions of the International Code Council (ICC) model codes. WORkplace safeTy As secretariat for the ANSI Z535 series of standards for safety signs, NEMA is actively promoting incorporation of the 2011 editions by reference into U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Currently, OSHA regulations cite outdated standards from 1967 and 1968 that do not reflect changes that have occurred in Americas workplaces since OSHA first incorporated them by reference. By referencing the current Z535 series of standards, OSHA will enable users to more clearly communicate safety information and hazards, reduce compliance uncertainty, and protect workers. For more information on the ANSI Z535 standards, please visit www.nema.org/stds/z535. (Also see Duty to WarnU.S. Standards on Warnings and Instructions are Updated, page 22.) u.s. cOnsumeR pROducT safeTy cOmmissiOn (cpsc) updaTe The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. NEMA has worked closely with CPSC throughout the years on numerous product-specific issues including GFCIs, AFCIs, extension cords, smoke and CO alarms, lighting, batteries, tamperresistant receptacles, and others. Recently, CPSC has demonstrated a greater interest in limiting accessibility to, and subsequently preventing ingestion of, lithium button and coin cell batteries, an area in which the NEMA Dry Battery Section has shown tremendous leadership. NEMA also is exploring opportunities for greater collaboration with CPSC on CO education and awareness and is working with other life safety advocates to advance federal legislation to incentivize states to adopt and enforce CO detection requirements in homes. More broadly, CPSC continues to implement the landmark Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, including management of a public database of incident reports filed by consumers with knowledge of injuries, illnesses, or deathsor risk of samefrom products. This database (http://saferproducts.gov) is growing exponentially and eventually may help CPSC and industry identify trends that warrant further review. Enhancements in technology and communication and increasingly informed consumers have heightened legislative and regulatory attention on safety in recent years. NEMA has demonstrated leadership in advancing electrical safety and life safety and is well-positioned to continue promoting its member products as solutions. ei Sarah Owen, Government Relations Manager | sarah.owen@nema.org

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

 Oregon Passes Mercury Content Bill for Lighting with NEMA Support
Demonstrating how an industrys product stewardship efforts can help guide public policy, Oregon recently passed a law that directly reflects achievements by NEMA lamp manufacturers to reduce the amount of mercury in energy efficient lamps. SB 1512 establishes a mercury content ceiling for various lamp types either sold in Oregon or purchased by the state for government use. The lighting market is fiercely competitive. Companies seek to gain advantage by producing lamps that provide optimum performance and reliability but contain less mercury per unit than competing brands. This race to the bottom has resulted in steadily declining average mercury levels for all types of linear and fluorescent lamps. See www.nema.org/gov/env_conscious_ design/lamps/cfl-mercury.cfm When the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sought to establish legislative limits on mercury in lamps, NEMA advised staff on appropriate thresholds. NEMA member companies had been involved five years earlier in crafting AB 1109 in California, which drew on mercury content limits established by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive in the European Union. Because RoHS applied to lamps sold in EU markets, our members worked to ensure the levels in AB 1109 were appropriately defined to address products made for the U.S. electrical infrastructurea critical distinction that escaped lawmakers in Oregon as well. As enacted, SB 1512 prohibits the sale of lighting in Oregon that exceeds the four and five milligram ceilings for screw-based compact fluorescent lamps established voluntarily by NEMA for lamps up to or exceeding 25 watts. The law also establishes state procurement policy to govern publicly funded lighting purchases and requires that certain reports regarding mercury be provided to the state legislature. NEMA members worked closely on these details with staff from the DEQ and the bills sponsor in the legislature, advising them of the situation in other states and cautioning against adopting European thresholds without modification. The agreement that resulted stands as a clear example of how proactive efforts by manufacturers, driven by a need to compete and respond to market demands, can provide a rational framework for progressive legislation. ei Mark A. Kohorst, Senior Manager of Environment, Health, & Safety | mark.kohorst@nema.org

Power Marketing Administrations Told to Move Ahead on Grid Modernization

With activity related to the electric grid plodding along in Congress, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is moving full steam ahead under its existing congressional authorities to modernize how the federal Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) do business. On March 16, Energy Secretary Steven Chu issued a memorandum to the four federal PMAsBonneville (BPA), Southwest (SWPA), Southeast (SEPA), and Western Area (WAPA). He wants PMAs to lead the way on rate designs to incentivize energy efficiency programs, demand response programs, integration of renewables, and preparation for electric vehicle development. PMAs own and operate 33,750 miles of transmission, which by any measure is a significant part of the national grid. Due to the aging of the grid and increased demand on it, Secretary Chus dual strategy of encouraging greater partnering with third parties and ensuring PMAs have sufficient borrowing authorities to develop transmission will help PMAs remain reliable and efficient. Because they are physically connected to, and therefore mutually dependent on, the rest of the grid, the secretary is directing PMAs to enhance their collaboration with other owners and operators of grid components. He will also be requesting that Congress provide WAPA and SWPA with the same revolving loan fund for capital improvements that BPA currently enjoys. Secretary Chu will be issuing specific directives to each PMA on all these topics, though not without some controversy. Some in Congress have argued that these directives may run counter to the PMAs mission to deliver federal hydropower at cost-based rates, though the DOE has expressed its commitment to operating within its statutory authorities. While most attention is paid to the investor-owned utilities, municipals, and co-ops, we should not forget that the federal government owns and operates a significant part of the U.S. electric grid. Regardless of who has the responsibility for any one segment, however, we all share the goal of building a robust, reliable, and efficient electric grid. ei Jim Creevy, Director of Government Relations | jim.creevy@nema.org

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Lightning Protection System

Ultimate Line of Defense

mark s. harger, Owner/president, harger lightning & grounding

ightning, one of natures most destructive forces, continues to wreak havoc on lives and property especially in todays electronic environment. On average, a lightning strike contains approximately 50 million volts carrying 18,00020,000 amperes of current, but strikes with up to 300 million volts and 200,000 amps are not that uncommon.

Air terminals are manufactured primarily from copper, tinned copper, or aluminum. Their size is determined by the structures height and placement location. Buildings not exceeding 75 feet in height are protected by Class I materials. Structures or portions of structures over 75 feet tall are protected by Class II materials. paRT 2pROvide a paTh TO gROund The next part of the system consists of down conductors and various bonding components. The primary objective is to provide multiple parallel paths for the lightning currents to follow. The second objective is to bond metallic bodies to the lightning protection system, creating potential equalization that prevents unwanted side flashes from occurring. Class I or Class II lightning protection main conductors, or structural metal with a thickness of 3/16-inch or greater, can be used as down conductors. In fact, in structural metal framed construction, metal is the preferred down conductor since it provides a lower impedance path to ground as does a main lightning conductor. Lightning conductors are manufactured from copper, tinned copper, or aluminum just like the air terminals, and fall into either Class I or Class II categories. Generally speaking, Class II materials are heavier and larger than Class I materials because they have to travel a longer distance down the structure to ground. It is important to

To protect against this destructive phenomena, a properly designed and UL-listed lightning protection system is required. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems defines a lightning protection system as a complete system of strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes, interconnecting conductors, surge suppression devices and other connectors or fittings [that] are required to complete the system. How does this system work? Picture a hockey goalie protecting his net. He has four basic toolsgloves, mask, stick, and pads that help him prevent the puck from entering the net. Just like a goalie, there are four main parts that comprise a lightning protection system. paRT 1inTeRcepT The lighTning sTRike Like a goalie guarding his net, a strike termination device, commonly known as an air terminal or lightning rod, intercepts the lightning strike and prevents it from hitting the structure. These devices neither attract nor repel lightning.

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

remember that the use of aluminum materials (conductors, fittings, and components) should not be installed on or in contact with copper surfaces, or be exposed to runoff from copper surface as this would set up a galvanic couple resulting in material failure due to corrosion. Aluminum materials should not be installed in locations that are subject to excess moisture, imbedded into concrete, or come into direct contact with the earth since alkali, moisture, and soil rapidly disintegrate aluminum. Copper conductors, fittings, and components must not be installed on aluminum surfaces since this also forms a galvanic couple which leads to deterioration of the aluminum components. When transitioning from aluminum to copper, bimetallic fittings must be used. Another key aspect of Part 2 is to remove the possibility for side flashes. Side flashes are dangerous electrical sparks that are caused by differences of potential. Metal bodies inside or outside the structure that contribute to lightning hazards because they are grounded (or because they help provide a path to ground) must be bonded to the lightning protection system to meet the goal of potential equalization. There are formulas available to help the design engineer determine what metal bodies need to be bonded and where. paRT 3safely dispeRse lighTning cuRRenTs inTO The eaRTh Via a properly designed grounding electrode system, lightning currents are safely dissipated into the earth and away from the structure, similar to a goalie using his stick to deflect the opponents puck from entering the net. There are various types of grounding electrodes such as ground rods, ground plates, ground loop conductors, radials, and concrete encased electrodes. Grounding electrodes are installed for the purpose of providing electrical contact with the earth which allows the lightning currents to dissipate harmlessly into it. Loop conductors encircle the structure interconnecting the ground electrodes. Ground rod electrodes are made from copper-clad steel, solid copper, or stainless steel. The diameter must not be less than one-half inch with a total length of at least eight feet. Ground rods must extend vertically to a depth of at least ten feet into the earth with soil compacted against both the conductor and the ground rod. paRT 4suRge pROTecTiOn These devices are installed on the electrical and telecommunications service entrances to prevent unwanted electrical currents from entering the structure via the power and communication lines. In addition to structural damage caused by a strike, lightning energy can cause serious physical and financial damage to electronics inside the structure. Installed at all power service entrances, surge protection devices must also be installed at all points where an electrical or electronic system conductor leaves one structure to supply another structure, if cable or conductors are longer than 100 feet. Although not required by lightning protection standards, consideration should be given to providing surge protection at the branch panels and at the point of use as well. This practice provides the ultimate in equipment protection for sensitive electronics.

Winning Combination
Upon completion of the installation, it is recommended that UL conduct an inspection to ensure that the system is in compliance with a nationally recognized standard such as NFPA 780 or UL 96A. If the system is in compliance, UL will issue a Master Label Certificatethe Stanley Cup of lightning protection. A properly designed and installed lightning protection system is the ultimate line of defense, much like an all-star goalie that even Wayne Gretzky couldnt score against. ei Mr. Harger is an industry expert with more than 20 years of experience in lightning protection, grounding, and bonding. He is a member of the NEMA 8CC section, and chairs the BICSI Grounding & Bonding Committee, which created NECA/BICSI 607-2011. He also chairs the Engineering Subcommittee TIA TR-42.16, which is responsible for rewriting ANSI-J-STD-607-B.
Lightning protection devices include (left to right, starting in the back) lightning conductor on reels, in aluminum and copper; copper air terminal with universal copper base; decorative finial (air terminal); aluminum air terminal with universal aluminum base; one-bolt parallel connector; copper adhesive cable holder; and bonding plate. Courtesy of Harger Lightning & Grounding NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Lightning Strikes Twice:

Proper Grounding Prevents Outages
A total systems approach to electrical grounding may save millions of dollars
ned Brush, phd, energy efficiency consultant, BBf & associates
Photo by David Brender, CDA

ightning storms occur on average 130 days a year in Floridas Lightning Alley, making this area one of the most dangerous in the U.S. with respect to weather-related incidents.

It is not true that lightning never strikes the same place twice. Communications towers in this area are prone to lightning strikes during any major thunderstorm. If not properly equipped, this regular lightning activity can cause millions of dollars in damage. Orange County, Florida, is in the heart of Lightning Alley, and it sees more than its fair share of damaged buildings, disrupted power lines, fires and, unfortunately, injuries caused by lightning strikes. Lightning can be costly. According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, U.S. lightning costs and losses may exceed $5 to $6 billion per year. David Brender, national program manager for the Copper Development Associations Electrical Program, urges all building owners and facility managers to check their electrical grounding systems and to take a total systems approach when evaluating lightning protection. A well-placed lightning strike can seriously compromise any facility, leaving lost equipment and damaged electronics in its wake, said Mr. Brender. In essence, lightning protection is the process of creating electrical paths of least resistance in order to direct strikes to the ground and away from where they can cause damage.

While grounding systems may have complied with electrical codes when they were built, they were not all designed by the same contractor, which eventually led to problems. Retrofits, which took place over the course of several years, were integrated into the total systems approach. It all begins with materials. Copper radials, plates, electrodes, conductors, and wiring are all integral to the success of a lightning protection system. Corrosion resistance, reliability, and superior conductivity make copper the ideal metal for a robust grounding system. Mr. Brender recommends building and facility managers take the necessary steps to protect their property from lightning damage. A total systems approach with copper grounding will provide the best support for those areas where lightning does strike twice. The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market, and technical development arm of the copper, brass, and bronze industries in the U.S. Learn more at copper.org. ei Dr. Brush, who holds four degrees from MIT, has lectured and published in energy efficiency and related areas, including power quality, transformer and motor cost-effective selection and use, and motor efficiency improvements with cost-effective die-casting of copper for motor rotors.

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NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

 2012 Southwire Company. All Rights Reserved.

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Why is Good Grounding Important?

michael gassman, Worldwide product manager, eRicO international corp. and paul Orr, Technical program manager, nema

A prefabricated equipotential copper-clad wire mesh mat can be buried as part of a ground grid system. Courtesy of ERICO International Corporation

Electrical systems that are grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines and that will stabilize the voltage to ground during normal operation. National Electrical Code, Article 250.4(A)(1)

afety, a concern around power installations since the beginning of the electric power industry, is perhaps more critical than ever before. Increasing fault levels in interconnected power systems has generated a renewed interest in safety goals that reduce the likelihood of electrical shock to personnel; mitigate the likelihood of equipment failures, fires, or both; and prevent the possible loss of power.

be electrically and mechanically robust to assure performance over the life of the facility (nominally 40 years minimum from construction date).

Characteristics of a Good Grounding System

The lower the earth-circuit impedance, the more likely it is that high frequency lightning impulses will flow through the ground electrode path. Lower earth resistance ensures that energy is dissipated into the ground in the safest possible manner. gOOd elecTRical cOnducTiviTy A good grounding system is achieved with: conductors of sufficient dimensions capable of withstanding high fault currents with no evidence of fusing and mechanical deterioration, and low electrical impedance and resistance. gOOd cORROsiOn ResisTance The choice of materials for grounding conductors, electrodes, and connections is vital, since most of the grounding system will be buried in the earth for many years. Copper is by far the most common material used. In addition to its inherent high conductivity, copper is usually cathodic with respect to other metals in association with grounding sites, which means that it is less likely to corrode in most environments.

Therefore, good grounding is important for personnel safety, equipment protection, and the integrity of electrical service. Equally important is a low-impedance ground grid. Buried in the ground, it is key to a facilitys electrical protection. Low impedance (low resistance) promotes conductivity and minimizes interruptions of service. The facility electrical ground grid must: efficiently dissipate lightning surge energy (direct strikes to a facility or via induced currents), efficiently dissipate electrical surges and faults to minimize the chances of injury from either step-potentials or touch potentials, provide a stable reference for electrical and RF (radio frequency) circuits at the facility to minimize noise during normal operation, be properly bonded to eliminate earth loops and differentials under surge conditions, and

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GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

mechanically ROBusT and ReliaBle A good grounding system must have the ability to perform for the working lifetime of the facility, a recommended minimum of 40 years. A number of interdependent factors can affect the grounding of a facility. These include: soil resistivity, including seasonal changes soil preparation design, including the number, size, and spacing of conductors to manage anticipated fault or transient currents types of connections used to join conductors in any specified environment

Choosing a Ground Electrode System

The most significant factors that will govern the choice of a ground electrode system are: applicable standards and codes (e.g. ANSI/IEEE 80) overall needs and layout of the facility ground environment of the facility Typically, a grounding system is required for many components of a facility: lightning protection down conductors main electricity supply sensitive electronic equipment rooms, data, and control centers telecommunications, main distribution frames (MDFs), radio frequency, and telemetry systems facility tower footings, fences, gates, and other public access points Each individual ground (i.e., lightning, electrical, telecommunications, and equipment rooms) must be of high integrity, as well as considered a component of an overall grounding system for the facility. Where separate grounds exist, they must be bonded together to form an equipotential ground plane in order to eliminate the possibility of earth loops and potential differences arising under transient conditions. A low impedance and resistance around the grounding system is the goal. OTheR facTORs The choice of a ground electrode system also includes local site factors, such as: soil resistivity (climate) presence of rock space (area designated for the ground electrode system) expected volume of pedestrian traffic The grounding engineer will generally choose the design option that provides the lowest impedance and resistance for the electrical ground system, while servicing the needs of the facility as a whole. Reference to and compliance with appropriate codes and standards must be taken into consideration with all grounding considerations. ei Mr. Gassman chairs the NEMA 8CC Technical Committee. Mr. Orr is its secretary.
NEMA electroindustry

Connector Section Advocates for Industry

The mission of NEMAs Electrical Connector (8CC) Section is to develop connector standards and advocate technical and industry positions that are in the best interests of the industry, member companies, and the users of their products throughout North America and the world. The section manages standards and technical projects for electrical utility connectors and grounding electrodes. Included in the scope of 8CC work, NEMA serves as secretariat of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee for Ground Rods and Accessories (ASC GR) and the suite of utility connector standards covered under ANSI C119 American National Standard for Electric Connectors. For more information on ANSI C119 American National Standard for Electric Connectors, visit www.nema.org/stds/c119-1.cfm www.nema.org/stds/c119-4.cfm www.nema.org/stds/c119-5.cfm www.nema.org/stds/c119-6.cfm For more information on ANSI/NEMA GR 1-2007 Grounding Rod Electrodes and Grounding Rod Electrode Couplings, visit www.nema.org/stds/gr1.cfm.

May 2012

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New Code Requirements Expand Carbon Monoxide Detection

Richard Roberts, industry affairs manager, honeywell life safety

It is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that results from the incomplete burning of common fuels such as natural or liquefied petroleum, gas, oil, wood, or coal. When inhaled, CO enters the bloodstream and reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to vital organs, such as the heart and brain.
Legislation, codes, and standards continue to evolve in an effort to reduce non-fire related deaths and injuries. The 2012 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the International Building Code (IBC) contain new requirements that are the result of the International Code Council membership approval of a proposal to require the installation of CO detection in new and existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies. These would include hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, hospitals, and nursing homes. Section 908.7 of the 2012 IFC and IBC requires CO detection to be installed in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies if the building contains a fuel-burning appliance or

arbon monoxide (CO), often referred to as the silent killer, claims hundreds of lives and sickens thousands of individuals every year.

has an attached garage. An open parking garage, as defined in the IBC, or an enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with Section 404 of the International Mechanical Code, is not deemed an attached garage. It also stipulates that CO alarms shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment as well as the manufacturers instructions. Section 1103.9 of the IFC covers the requirements for existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies, equivalent to the requirements in 908.7 for newly constructed occupancies. As with most codes and standards, there are exceptions to the mandatory CO requirements. Exceptions may apply to sleeping or dwelling units that do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or do have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. CO detection is not required if: a sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage;

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NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Photos courtesy of System Sensor

GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

a sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance or to an attached garage; a building is provided with a common area CO system, a vague and undefined term in the I-Codes and NFPA 7201. Section 908.7.1 clearly permits system-connected CO detectors to be installed as a primary form of protection if they are installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 and listed as complying with ANSI/UL 2075. NFPA 720 permits either CO alarms complying with ANSI/ UL 2034 Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms or CO detectors complying with ANSI/UL 2075 Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors to be installed. NEMA representatives championed the new CO detection requirements in the 2012 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and NFPA 1 Fire Code. The 2012 Life Safety Code was published in October 2011 and requires that CO detection be installed in accordance with NFPA 720 in newly constructed daycare occupancies, one- and two-family dwellings, lodging or rooming houses, hotels and dormitories, and apartment buildings. CO detection is required in these occupancies when they contain a permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or when they have a communicating attached garage, a term that is not defined in the code or explained in the annex. The committees intended definition of communicating is a garage with a door or entryway between the garage and the dwelling unit or building. For each occupancy, CO alarms or detectors shall be installed 1) outside of each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms; and 2) on every occupiable level, including basements, but excluding attics and crawl spaces. NFPA 720 also requires the audible alarm notification signal to be at least 75dBA (decibels adjusted) at the pillow in sleeping areas. If the detector installed outside the sleeping area is unable to produce 75dBA at the pillow, with the door closed, a CO detector or a mini horn should be installed in the sleeping room. For hotels, dormitories, and apartment buildings, NFPA 101 requires alarms or detectors to be installed in certain nonsleeping locations, including on the ceiling in rooms containing a permanently installed fuel-burning appliance and
1

centrally located within occupiable spaces served by the first supply air register from a fuel-burning HVAC system. This requirement is different from the NFPA 720 requirement for CO detectors to be installed on every occupiable level and centrally located in every HVAC zone of the building. The committee felt the 720 requirement was excessive to require all HVAC zones to have CO detection if they are not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts. There are specific locations where CO detection is prohibited. These include garages and within dwellings, dwelling units, guest rooms, guest suites, lodging houses, or rooming houses with communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as defined by the building code or with communicating attached garages that are mechanically ventilated in accordance with the mechanical code. Regarding NFPA 1 Fire Code, the Technical Committee accepted a proposal to incorporate the same NFPA 101 CO detection provisions into the 2012 edition of the Fire Code, thereby requiring CO detection in lodging houses, rooming houses, hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, one- and twofamily dwellings, and daycare homes that have a permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or contain a communicating attached garage. The location requirements are the same as in NFPA 101. The total number of states with some form of CO mandate now stands at 36. NEMA actively engages state legislative and code-making bodies to procure these requirements, which primarily cover one- and two family dwellings, but in some cases extend to commercial sleeping occupancies such as hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. With CO requirements in the model building codes, the number of states requiring the installation of CO detection devices will only increase in the next three to five years. For details on specific state CO requirements, visit www.lifesafetysolutionsonline.com. ei Mr. Roberts, co-chair of NEMA 3SB Smoke/CO Group, has more than 20 years of experience in all phases of the life safety market. Other industry affiliations include several NFPA committees and the UL Standards Technical Panel for Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Gas Detectors.

A change proposal currently being considered for the 2015 edition of IFC and IBC would clarify this term. The proposed text defines the term as a CO detector to be provided in the common area between the attached garage and the dwelling units and it will activate an audible alarm at a constantly attended location.

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

15

Emergency Communication Systems Provide Safer Structures, Save Lives

Jeff van keuren, engineering leader, compliance detection & alarm, edwardsa uTc fire & security company

he 2010 edition of NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code received a name change with the addition of the words and Signaling to its title. The scope of the code covers the application, installation, location, performance, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, supervising station alarm systems, public emergency alarm reporting systems, fire warning equipment and emergency communications systems (ECS), and their components1. The ECS is new to the code in this edition.
What is so special about ECS and why is it important in the evolution of the life safety systems of a building? The scope of the 2002 edition of NFPA 72 involved the performance and maintenance of only the fire alarm system. The closest representation of an ECS was an emergency voice/ alarm communications system. During a fire emergency, its function was to provide a dedicated fire communication system for the partial or complete evacuation of occupants from large structures, such as high rise buildings, in a safe and orderly manner.

In an emergency, one-way ECSs are intended to broadcast information to people in one or more specified indoor or outdoor areas. According to NFPA 72, emergency messages can be conveyed either by audible, visible, and textual means or any combination thereof. Two-way ECSs are divided into systems that are anticipated to be used by building occupants, and systems intended to be used by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel. They are used to exchange and communicate information, such as instructions, acknowledgement of receipt of messages, condition of local environment, condition of persons, and to provide assurance that help is on the way.

Out of Harms Way

Today, the code takes into account additional life-threatening events that are considered equivalent to, or more important than, a fire emergency. These events include: human-caused events (accidental and intentional) that threaten security dangerous situations, such as carbon monoxide poisoning accidents, such as toxic spills and radiation leaks natural disasters, such as tornados and tsunamis When identifying the different types of events, consideration must be given to getting occupants out of harms way. This is all part of an emergency response plan created by analyzing different risks associated with the occupancy. In case of a fire, the goal is to get the occupants out of the building or to an area of refuge, but in the event of a tornado, the occupants should be relocated to an area of the building out of the way of flying debris or structural weakness. Most emergency response plans should contain when and how to use an ECS. This system is classified into two typesone-way and two-way.
1

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, National Fire Protection Association, Revised 2010

In-Building Fire Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications System, courtesy of UTC Climate, Controls & Security

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NEMA electroindustry

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GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

An in-building mass notification system is used to provide information and instructions to people in a building or other space using intelligible voice communications and visible signals, text, graphics, tactile, or other communication methods. Examples of these are commercial sound systems, messaging displays, and flat-screen text displays. Wide-area mass notification systems are generally installed to provide real-time information to outdoor areas and could have the capability to communicate with other notification systems provided for a campus, military base, municipality, or similar single or multiple contiguous areas. Examples of these are high power speaker arrays that are capable of transmitting sound over one mile.

Example HPSA units, courtesy of UTC Climate, Controls & Security

One Way to Safety

Focusing on one-way communications systems, NFPA 72-2010 subdivides this type of ECS into four categories: A distributed recipient mass notification system communicates directly to targeted individuals and groups that might not be in a contiguous area. An example of this is mass text messaging. An in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications system consists of dedicated manual or automatic equipment for originating and distributing voice instructions to the occupants of a building, as well as alert and evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency. By adding in-building to the definition, it can be used for other emergency conditions.

Technology-Based Flexibility
In buildings, flexibility is the key component of an ECS. The purpose of a one-way system is to inform the occupants of the potential danger and provide instructions on what to do, where to go, and when to re-enter the building. ECSs are a very significant change in how we think about a buildings life safety systems. Proper communications between emergency responders and occupants is a must, so improving communication via new technologies will provide safer structures and save lives. ei Mr. Van Keuren has been involved in the fire alarm and signaling business for 27 years. He is responsible for the global product compliance strategies at UTC Climate, Controls & Securitys Detection & Alarm business segment.

Surge Protective DevicesProtecting Systems that Protect

Technology has given us many products that make modern life more convenient, productive, and safe. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and arc-fault circuit interrupters keep us safer at home. Transportation and air traffic control systems keep planes, trains, and automobiles traveling safely. Numerous other electronic systems enhance our safety on a daily basis. But what is protecting the systems that protect us? The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety estimates that power surges cost businesses $26 billion annually in lost time and equipment repairs and replacements. When surges affect systems that are designed to enhance safety, more than money and equipment repairs are at stake. The failure of safety systems puts people at risk. Surge protective devices (SPDs) keep surges at an acceptable level that can be withstood by microprocessor- and electronic-based equipment. SPDs help prevent damage, degradation, and disruption to electrical and electronic systems. Not only do SPDs help extend the life of equipment and protect investments, they also protect systems that enhance personal safety.
John Miller, Industry Manager | john.miller@nema.org

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

17

Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Alarm SystemsA Key to Life Safety
dan finnegan, manager of industry affairs for siemens fire safety and security

ire alarm systems are a key component in the 90,000 lives that have been saved in fire-related events since 1970.

early and accurate alarms avoid the concept of unwanted alarms, a topic that has recently gained attention. Based on Murphys law (the truism of anything that can go wrong will go wrong), we can conclude that any system will suffer a failure of one of its components at some time during its design lifetime. The reliability of a fire alarm system, like any electronic system, can be computed using a method developed during WWII by German scientist Robert Lusser, who discovered that the reliability of a system was the product of the reliabilities of the individual components. Research into the reliability of systems has shown that, for most physical systems, when the failure rate is plotted versus time, a curve of a familiar shape termed the bathtub is displayed (see Figure 1). The first curve shows a higher rate of failure on startup, then flattens out over the length of the product life cycle at a very slow rate, and spikes up at the end of life region.

Fire alarm systems need to work right the first timethere are no second chances in life safety performance. They are intended to fulfill three essential objectives: life safety property protection continuance of the business mission Electrical Safety Month is a good time to review the increased reliance on the fire detection and notification systems for life safety and the growing importance on maintaining the predictability of the fire detection system response. The concepts of reliability analysis and prediction form the foundation on which all inspection, testing, and maintenance programs should be based.

Reliability Activates Early, Accurate Alarms

Reliability includes both the ability to detect and correctly respond to a fire, and deliver a fire alarm indication only when a legitimate fire alarm stimulus actually occurs. Simply stated,

A fire alarm system without a code compliance comprehensive program is every bit as incomplete as a car with only three wheels.
designing ReliaBiliTy inTO sysTem OBJecTives The driving force behind every inspection, testing, and maintenance program is the need to make system reliability as high as possible. System reliability is the result of four key elements: system design installation equipment maintenance program

The Theory of Preventive Maintenance (The Bathtub Curve)

Preventive Maintenance Extends the Useful Life
Infant Mortality Failures

Wear Out Failures

Useful Life Failures (Constant Failure Rate)

Operating Life (time, miles, ect)

Constant Failure Rate Zero Failures with Good PM

Figure 1. When failure rate is plotted against time, a bathtub curve results.

The initial inspection and testing of the system should identify any problems that are designed into the system so they can be corrected before the system is accepted. For example, it would not be advisable to locate a smoke detector in an area that will normally sense aerosols, such as a cooking area.

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The initial inspection and test should also uncover issues with system installation, such as wiring, loose screw terminals, and the correct raceways for the environment/weather. Fire alarm equipment is very reliable today and is produced under stringent quality assurance programs audited by nationally recognized testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories. A program of inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems is critical to achieving the design objectives of the system. It is through such a program that issues are discovered. Ongoing inspection, testing, and maintenance aid in discovery of changes in the building occupancy/layout and the proper operation of the key system detection, control, and notification components. A fire alarm system without a code-compliant comprehensive program is every bit as incomplete as a car with only three wheels. Reliability establishes the demand for fire alarm systems to be maintained. NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code1 establishes the requirement and places the responsibility for the regular inspection, testing, and maintenance on the owner/ operator of the site. An issue often faced in our industry is the enforcement of the codes and standards that outline the frequency, method, and qualifications for inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Systems that are not properly installed and maintained lead to unwanted alarms and the potential loss of life, property, and business mission.

Sadly Different Outcomes

Here are two recent examples of the impact on life safety when codes and standards are followed; fire alarm and fire protection systems are properly designed and installed; and a testing, inspection, and maintenance program is followed. Although both occurred in hospitals, they highlight the importance of reliability of fire alarm and fire protection systems in all buildings. mOnTefiORe medical cenTeR, The BROnx, neW yORk A fire broke out at the Montefiore Medical Center on the afternoon of November 9, 2011, in a basement cogeneration plant. The fuel ignited, causing a tremendous amount of smoke in a short time. Smoke detectors activated properly, and the engineering staff and foam sprinkler system quickly put out the fire. Smoke traveled up a ventilation shaft to exit the hospital at street level, and the hospitals internal ventilation system shut down as it should have when the alarms went off.

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, National Fire Protection Association, Revised 2010

New NEMA Section Website Launched

Washington

The NEMA Signaling, Protection and Communication Section membership unveils its Life Safety Solutions Online website this month. The site provides visitors with key life safety information on: carbon monoxide (CO) detection life safety regulatory and legislative updates industry research papers fire safety blogs, videos, podcasts, etc.

Montana
Oregon

North Dakota Minnesota

Vt. N.H.

Maine

Idaho Wyoming

South Dakota

Wisconsin Michigan Iowa Illinois Indiana Ohio

West Virginia

New York Pennsylvania

Mass . Conn. R.I.

Nebrask a Nevada Utah Colorado

New Jersey Md. Delaware

California

Kansas

Missour i Kentuck y

Virginia

North Carolina

Arizona New Mexico

Oklahoma Arkansas

Tennesse e
South Carolina Mississippi Alabama

Georgia

Texas

Louisiana

Alask a Hawaii

Florida

Visitors can also access answers to frequently asked questions on a number of pertinent smoke detection and CO detection technology questions. Visit www.lifesafetysolutionsonline.org
John J. Marcario, Industry Director, NEMA Signaling, Protection, and Communication Section | john.marcario@nema.org

State Carbon Monoxide Requirements

Pending State Legislation Enacted CO Requirements for Child Day Care Facilities/ Group Homes Only Enacted CO Requirements by Statute, Code or Regulation Enacted Combination of CO Requirements, including Child Care Facilities/Group Homes

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

19

According to one building engineer, it was everybodys worst nightmare, but from an engineering system standpoint, everything couldnt have worked better. The adult and pediatric emergency departments had about 150 patients total at the time of the fire, and two intensive care units housed about 20 patientsincluding five who were on ventilators. There were no serious injuries or deaths in the incident. amRi hOspiTal, kOlkaTa, india On December 10, 2011, 89 persons choked to death at Kolkatas posh AMRI Hospital when thick smoke from a fire in the basement went through the central air-conditioning ducts and engulfed seven floors. There were 160 persons inside the hospital when the fire began around 3 a.m., many of them were asleep and some too ill even to move. Reports indicated that the fire alarm system did not function properly. The fire was confined, but not the smoke.

The mechanism to stop smoke from spreading didnt work, said Gopal Bhattacharjee, director of the fire department.

Inspect, Test, Maintain

The objectives of a fire alarm system will be achieved in the event of a fire only if the fire alarm system functions properly. An inspection, testing, and maintenance program is essential for the reliable performance of the fire alarm system. Our industry needs to promote the enforcement of the provisions within NFPA and building codes that require all fire alarm and fire protection systems be properly maintained. Lives depend on it. ei Mr. Finnegan has 38 years of fire life safety experience, and serves on many technical code committees representing Siemens, NEMA, and AFAA.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

In partnership with

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NEMA electroindustry

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GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

ESFI Highlights Emerging Technologies during National Electrical Safety Month

Brett Brenner, president, electrical safety foundation international

e live in a world of constant innovation, and are often inundated with promises of how new technologies can improve our lives. While human nature fuels our desire to adopt the latest technologies, we should not overlook electrical safety in our quest to remain current.

Get the Facts on Emerging Technologies

Technologies that were emerging just a few years ago are now readily available for installation in homes and businesses. ESFIs Emerging Technology Factsheets provide an introduction to some of the latest advances in residential electrical technologies, including important safety considerations.

Each year, electrical failures or malfunctions cause more than 50,000 home fires in the U.S., resulting in 450 deaths, nearly 1,500 injuries, and more than $1.5 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Many of these fires occur in homes with aging electrical systems, which can become overburdened by modern energy demands. ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month (NESM) each May to increase public awareness of electrical hazards in order to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss. With this in mind, ESFI has focused the 2012 NESM campaign on emerging electrical technologies and how they relate to existing home electrical systems. Electrical system components can wear out over time, just like a roof or heating system, and may not be ready to support additional technologies or electrical demands. It is critical that consumers are aware that their home electrical system should be evaluated by a qualified, licensed electrician before installation of any new electrical technology or in conjunction with a significant home renovation. The NESM toolkit introduces a range of emerging technologies electric vehicles, smart meters, solar power, and wind power. It explains how these technologies work and provides tips for safely integrating them with an existing electrical system.

What is an Electric Vehicle? Choosing Your Electric Vehicle Electric Vehicles in the Home Electric Vehicles on the Road Smart Grid & Smart Meters Solar Power Wind Power Learn more at http://esfi.org/index.cfm/page/Emerging-Technologies/pid/11574
The campaign resources also highlight other important electrical technologies, such as arc-fault circuit interrupters, ground-fault circuit interrupters, and tamper-resistant receptacles. These devices provide enhanced protection for the home against electrical fires, shocks, and electrocutions without the need to undertake major home renovations. In addition to the toolkit, a new Electric Vehicle Safety video has been developed to complement the campaigns electrical safety messages. The dynamic, three-minute video guides viewers through the various aspects they should consider before going electric. NESM resources also include an elementary education component, which features lessons and activities about electricity and electrical safety, as well as guidelines for facilitating a NESM poster contest. Safety should always be at the forefront of our awareness, even during our pursuit of the latest and greatest residential technologies. To help prevent electrical fires and incidents, it is vital that consumers are familiar with their electrical system and understand the safety concerns associated with both emerging and existing residential technologies before introducing them into their homes. More information about emerging technologies and how they can be merged safely with your lifestyle can be found at http://esfi.org/NESM. ei

ESFI Launches Electric Vehicle Video

Youve decided its time to buy a new carand youre thinking about going electric. While an EV might be the right choice for you, there are things to know before you drive one home. ESFI has created What You Should Know before Going Electric. In just three minutes, this video uncovers important information, such as: types of EVs and their differences how to equip a home for an electric charging station safety tips for operating a home charging station See if going EV is right for you at http://esfi.org/index.cfm/cdid/12442/pid/10272

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

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Duty to Warn
he ANSI Z535 standards addressing product safety labels have been in existence since 1991. They have provided manufacturers with good guidance for the creation of safety labels and more recently, instruction manuals.

U.S. Standards on Warnings and Instructions are Updated

kenneth Ross, Jd, Of counsel to Bowman and Brooke llp

ANSI Z535.4 Standard on Labels

For the last 20 years, the ANSI Z535 standards have provided guidelines on creating safety labels. Unfortunately, these standards mostly provide formats for labels and instructions. As a result, it is possible to comply with these standards and still have inadequate content, thereby resulting in potentially legally inadequate warnings and instructions. ANSI Z535 was initially published on June 6, 1991, with revisions in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2011. This standard provides the basis for developing a safety label system. Unlike some other labeling standards, ANSI Z535.4 sets forth performance requirements for the design, application, use, and placement of safety labels.

Basic Duty to Warn and Instruct

The law of product liability makes it clear that product sellers must provide reasonable warnings and instructions about risks that exist in their products. And it has been held that warnings, standing alone, may have no practical relevance without instructions and instructions without warnings may not be adequate. Therefore, when the law talks about the duty to warn, it includes providing warnings on products in the form of safety labels, safety information in instructions, instructions that affirmatively describe how to use a product safely, and possibly even safety information in other means of communication such as videos, advertising, catalogs, websites, etc. The law says that a manufacturer has a duty to warn where: (1) the product is dangerous, (2) the danger is or should be known by the manufacturer, (3) the danger is present when the product is used in the usual and expected manner, and (4) the danger is not obvious or well known to the user. Once the decision has been made to warn, the manufacturer needs to determine whether the warning is adequate. Generally, the adequacy of a warning in a particular situation is a question of fact decided by the jury. An adequate warning will: Alert the consumer or user to the severity of the hazard; severity is the magnitude of the hazard and the likelihood of it being encountered. Clearly state the nature of the hazard. Clearly state the consequences of the hazard. Provide instructions on how to avoid the hazard. Case law concerning the adequacy of instructions is not particularly illuminating. Most of the cases address the adequacy of warnings either on the product or in the manual. In discussing the adequacy of instructions, the cases only say that manuals should be adequate, accurate, and effective and clear, complete, and adequately communicated.

Compliance with a voluntary standard is not an absolute defense.

ANSI Z535.4 deals with on-product safety labels and provides a specific format label containing a signal word panel, word message panel, and an optional pictorial or symbol panel. The message required by the standard to be transmitted with words or symbols individually or in combination is (1) the type of hazard, (2) the consequences of not avoiding the hazard, and (3) how to avoid the hazard. These requirements are consistent with the case law that requires a label to convey the nature and extent of the danger. ANSI Z535.4 was revised and reaffirmed in 2011. These revisions include the following: The signal word, CAUTION, is now to only be used for the risk of injury and not for the risk of property damage. NOTICE is the signal word to be used where the message relates to only the risk of property damage. There is a new signal word called SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS that can be used as a standalone sign or in combination with the typical safety label. This was allowed previously, but is now an official part of the standard. Other signal words, such as SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES or SAFE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES, can also be used. These revisions are fairly minimal as the standard evolves and would not necessitate any significant changes in current labeling.

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GUARDING AGAINST ElEcTRIcAl HAzARDS

ANSI Z535.6 Standard on Instructions
No matter what the manufacturer does to meet its duty to warn with on-product labels, most products will need some instructions. Given the limited space on products and the ever expanding need to warn about even remote risks, safety information in instructions is taking on increased importance. A number of years ago, the ANSI committee concluded that while there are a number of other guides or standards that discuss instructions, none dealt specifically with incorporating safety information into instructions and how to interrelate these instructions with ANSI Z535 safety labels. Therefore, it published a new part of the standard, ANSI Z535.6, to deal with this subject. This new standard was first published in 2006 and reaffirmed with minor changes in 2011. The standard provides requirements for the purpose, content, format, and location of four different kinds of safety messages: supplemental directives grouped safety messages section safety messages embedded safety messages Supplemental directives instruct readers to read the entire manual or safety information in the manual. That information can be located on the cover of a manual or on the first page of a section in the manual. Grouped safety messages are commonly referred to as a safety section. This section usually appears at the beginning of the manual, before or after the table of contents, and generally describes the risks involved in the use of the product and how to minimize or avoid them. These sections should include definitions of the signal wordsDANGER, WARNING, and CAUTIONthat are used on labels and in the manual, as well as reproductions of the labels in an illustration showing where they are attached to the product. If the product has symbol-only labels, the manual should describe the meaning of all symbols. Section safety messages are included at the beginning of a chapter (i.e. maintenance, installation, or operation) or within a chapter and do not specifically apply to a procedure. They include general messages such as Do not perform maintenance without first reading this chapter and the safety precautions at the beginning of this manual or Failure to follow safety precautions in this chapter could result in serious injury or death. Embedded safety messages are contained within a specific procedure. For example, To prevent burns, wear protective gloves when performing this procedure. Today, providing more interesting, compelling, and understandable safety information can be transmitted by video, CDs, and webcasts, in combination with written literature. This standard, however, does not provide any guidance on more effective ways to transmit safety information. The challenge for manufacturers in the future will be to provide information in a way that is more likely to be read or viewed. While the law doesnt specifically require it, it is important for manufacturers to consider doing more to encourage people to read or view their instructions and to use their products more safely. The technology is certainly available, but not many manufacturers are fully utilizing it.

Be Prepared
Allegations of inadequate warnings and instructions are dangerous because it is so easy for a plaintiff to argue that the manufacturer should have done something different. If the label had words, then a manufacturer would only have had to add a few more words and the accident would not have happened. If there had been only symbols and the plaintiff didnt understand them, it could be said that all the manufacturer would have had to do was test the label for comprehension. The remedy is cheap and simple and it may be hard to defend a particular label given a serious injury and sympathetic plaintiff. There is a similar argument for instructions, either in the form of manuals that accompany the product or that exist on a website. The plaintiff couldnt understand the information, or it was inconsistent with the label and they became confused, or it didnt have certain information.

Safety information in instructions is taking on increased importance.

Manufacturers can certainly use symbol-only labels in the U.S. because they will be able to say that the label complies with ANSI Z535. However, compliance with a voluntary standard is not an absolute defense. Therefore, they need to be prepared to prove how the symbol transmitted the required information. As more and better warnings are placed on products and more safety information is created in manuals and elsewhere, plaintiffs experts will attack the adequacy of the labels on understandability and effectiveness. Every manufacturer needs to be prepared to rebut this argument by any available means. ei Mr. Ross, a former partner at Bowman and Brooke LLP in Minneapolis, has provided legal advice to manufacturers on safety labels and instruction manuals for more than 30 years, including the Mr. Ouch labeling project sponsored by NEMA in 1980. He can be reached at kenrossesq@comcast.net.

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

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Know before Digging

APWA Provides Uniform Marking of Underground Facilities
connie hartline, publications manager, american public Works association

he American Public Works Association (APWA) urges all professionals and agencies involved in construction, maintenance, excavation, or surveying of any kind, to recognize and adopt the APWA Guidelines for Uniform Temporary Marking of Underground Facilities, which use the APWA Uniform Color Code safety colors as listed in ANSI Z535.1 American National Standard for Safety Colors.
In conjunction with APWAs Utilities and Right of Way Committee, the association has developed and published the guidelines for temporary marking of underground facilities, including the APWA Uniform Color Code, in order to minimize damages during excavation and other similar construction operations in which earth is moved, displaced, or removed. The APWA Uniform Color Code enables excavators, line owners, and surveyors to recognize the intent of paint, flags, stakes, and other temporary markings, including those that identify the location of subsurface utilities, lines, and similar facilities, and markings that identify the proposed excavation and survey markings inherent to construction sites. The safety colors used in the APWA Uniform Color Code are: Redelectric power lines, cables and conduit systems, and lighting cables Yellowgas, oil, steam, petroleum, gaseous or dangerous materials Orangecommunications, cable television, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit systems Bluewater, irrigation, and slurry lines Greensewer and drain lines Whiteroute of proposed subsurface line or location of proposed excavation Purplereclaimed water The Uniform Color Code also includes fluorescent pink for temporary construction project site survey markings or to make survey monuments temporarily visible. ei

Use of Temporary Marking

The APWA marking guide provides for universal use and understanding of the temporary marking of subsurface facilities to prevent accidents and damage or service interruption by contractors, excavators, utility companies, municipalities or others working on or near underground facilities. Color-coded surface marks (i.e., paint or chalk) indicate the location or route of active and out-of-service buried lines. To increase visibility, color-coded vertical markers (i.e., stakes or flags) supplement surface marks. APWA encourages public agencies, utilities, contractors, other associations, manufacturers and all others involved in excavation to adopt the APWA Uniform Color Code, using ANSI Z535.1 American National Standard for Safety Colors for temporary marking and facility identification. For more information, visit http://apwa.net. Uniform Color Code courtesy of APWA

ANSI Z535 Colors Signal Safety

NEMA publishes ANSI Z535 to alert people to hazards in the workplace and at home. Learn more or purchase these standards at www.nema.org/z535-Descriptions

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Electroindustry News
Dose Initiatives Underscore Industrys Commitment to Patient Safety
Medical imaging technologies, such as computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and positron emission tomography (PET), have become increasingly integral components of the ever-evolving practice of medicine. As they become more innovative, they enable earlier detection of potentially fatal conditions, saving lives in the process. And as the technology continues to advance, medical imaging manufacturers are reaffirming their commitment to making medical devices safe and effective. While advanced imaging modalities have immeasurably enhanced standards of care, risks associated with radiation exposure are not to be discounted. MITA has a long-standing commitment to ensure safe dosage without compromising diagnostic quality. In 2011, manufacturers introduced the CT Dose Check Initiative1, an industrywide commitment that aims to reduce procedure dose and medical errors by adding additional notification on CT machines, recording dose information consistently for each and every patient. Manufacturers have already begun producing and shipping equipment with these enhanced safety features. The 2010 Radiation Therapy Readiness Initiative2 , an endeavor spearheaded by MITA and the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), enhances the safety of radiation therapy equipment through additional patient protection features, verifying the delivery of patient treatment plans via the proper positioning of radiation therapy equipment prior to delivery. MITA members have also been involved with Image Gently3 to lower
1

radiation dose in the imaging of children. The safeguards represent a major step forward in managing radiation dose during CT scans performed on children, who are much more sensitive to radiation than adults. MITA members are also building on their commitment to safety by directing new initiatives. In response to the FDAs 2010 Initiative to Reduce Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, MITA formed the Nuclear Medicine Dose Task Force, focusing on CT, fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine. It aligns with the initiatives promotion of safe use of medical imaging devices. The task force is comprised of three teams that include a broad representation of radiopharmaceutical and equipment experts. The Evidence Team will work to collect evidence supporting reduction of radiation dose exposure, while the State of the Union and Prospective Teams will focus on current industry programs and innovation efforts to reduce dose, respectively. MITA has also established an Advisory Board for the Nuclear Medicine Dose Task Force. It represents professional medical societies, academia, and experts in radiation dose and dosimetry. The board will provide guidance and work with scientific and clinical communities to review and evaluate MITA proposals to reduce dose.

Through collaboration with providers, academics, and government, the medical imaging industry is successfully working to measure and reduce dose while also advancing technologies and standards of care. These equipment safety standards, protocol development, quality and safety checks, provider education programs, and physician-developed medical guidelines are a testament to the medical imaging industrys commitment to patient safety, effectively minimizing radiation dose as much as possible while providing even greater degrees of coordination, transparency, and reporting in the delivery of medical radiation. Through ongoing industry-wide dose initiatives, imaging manufacturers remain true to our pledge to ensure that all patients have access to the right scanwith the right doseat the right time, and we will continue to do our part to ensure that every imaging procedure is both safe and medically appropriate for the patients condition. ei Gail M. Rodriguez, PhD, Executive Director of MITA and Vice President of NEMA | grodriguez@medicalimaging.org

www.medicalimaging.org/policy-and-positions/radiation-dosesafety www.medicalimaging.org/policy-and-positions/radiation-dosesafety www.acr.org/MainMenuCategories/media_room/ FeaturedCategories/PressReleases/Archive/ ImageGentlyCampaignKicksOff.aspx

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

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Code Actions/Standardization Trends

Wiring Practices & Troubleshooting with AFCIs
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) provide protection to home owners from electrical fires. Their advanced electrical technology detects arcing conditions and shuts down the electrical circuit before it becomes a fire hazard. Dangerous arc faults may result from damaged wiring, overheated or stressed electrical cords, worn electrical insulation, wires/cords in contact with vibrating metal, damaged electrical appliances, and more. For AFCIs to work effectively, it is important that proper wiring practices be followed. In the white paper Wiring Practices & Troubleshooting with AFCIs1, some of the important wiring practices an electrician should follow are highlighted. The paper includes the following troubleshooting guides (see accompanying charts) that outline common scenarios and the appropriate steps to diagnose and effectively alleviate any problem that may be encountered in the field. ei Gerard Winstanley, Program Manager | ger_winstanley@nema.org
1

Download at www.afcisafety.org/files/White%20Paper5.pdf

AFCI Safety Sweeping the Nation

AFCISafety.org is a one-stop information resource for residential arc-fault breaker safety information. It is maintained by NEMAs Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Section. Each year, home electrical fires kill 480 people, injure thousands, and destroy more than $868 million in property. While smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and other devices provide lifesaving help once a fire begins, AFCIs detect dangerous electrical conditions beforehand. See the video at AFCISafety.org

The free AFCI installation and troubleshooting training program will be available soon on the UL Knowledge Services website (www.ulknowledgeservices.com). Availability will be announced on AFCISafety.org, in electroindustry, and elsewhere.

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Troubleshooting guides outline common scenarios and the appropriate steps to diagnose and effectively alleviate them.

NEMA Announces Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter Basics Training Course

Ed Larsen, Industry Standards Manager, Schneider Electric NEMA is partnering with UL Knowledge Services (formerly known as UL University) to produce a free online arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) installation and troubleshooting training program. AFCI breakers were created to reduce the possibility of electrical fires that start from arcing so small that it cant be detected by standard circuit breakers. However, achieving the goal of saving lives and reducing property damage caused by these fires requires a partnership between the manufacturers and installers of AFCIs. Manufacturers need to design circuit breakers that detect and interrupt low level arcs while not tripping unnecessarily, but installers have a role to play as well. The goal of this course is to help contractors complete the trouble-free installation of AFCIs and other devices and educate them on what they should do in the unlikely event that unwanted tripping should occur. The course is intended for anyone who installs electrical systems in residences, whether they are single, multifamily, or apartment buildingsanywhere the use of AFCIs are required by the National Electrical Code. This course covers how to properly install AFCIs and other residential branch circuit components and how to find and fix electrical system problems that might cause AFCIs to trip. By taking this course, a contractors customers will benefit from the increased safety afforded by AFCIs without experiencing annoying, unwanted tripping. They will benefit by experiencing fewer call-backs, which means more profit and the peace of mind in knowing that they have done their best to improve the electrical safety of the homes they wire. ei Mr. Larsen has worked in the electrical industry for 39 years and is a member of several NEMA product sections and task groups. He currently chairs the 5PP Personnel Protection Section.
NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

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Code Actions/Standardization Trends

Inspections: Who is the Customer?
There has been a great deal of debate recently over the scope of inspections, code adoptions, rigorous enforcement, qualifications of inspectors, and even the appropriateness of government dictates. We are witnessing a serious dilution of our safety system, using the economy as an excuse to gut many inspection agencies and turn them into revenuegenerating paper handlers. Most of the changes begin with, We need to better serve our customersthe developers and builders. This line of thinking is because the builder/contractor files for and purchases the required permits. The original intent of building inspection functions was to protect persons who live, work, or visit the area. But protect from whom or what? Unscrupulous builders who would skimp on basic construction practices? Or those ignorant of basic minimums? Or inferior products, possibly used without the builders knowledge? Because of these concerns, a safety system has evolved that makes buildings in this nation among the safest. The system is based on the foundations of appropriate and harmonized product standards, installation codes that are coordinated with those standards, verification that products meet appropriate standards, and inspections to ensure that the correct products are being used and installed safely, i.e., according to the latest installation code. eROding safeTy We are now seeing erosion of each of these basic safety requirements: states and local jurisdictions have removed certain categories of products from having to comply with standards, or exempted products or installations from inspection. The trend has been toward inspectors who have the right personality rather than specific experience. There are also efforts to delete municipal inspection departments entirely in favor of private agencies. Independent thirdparty inspections are not inherently inferior to municipal inspections. There are, in fact, many competent, welltrained private inspection agencies. But does replacing one of the most respected and effective jurisdiction agencies with contract inspectors make sense? Will it save money? Will it result in equal safety? There are no absolute answers; it depends on how private inspections are administered. Care must be taken to ensure that inspectors are competent, there are no conflicts of interest, and municipal oversight exists to verify integrity. Could a private, for-profit agency better serve the public safety mandate while providing competent inspections for the contractor? The process is further eroded when codes are not implemented in a timely fashion, or builders delay adoptions or skip new codes entirely. Is there any liability when an incident occurs that could have been prevented by newer codes? Should a jurisdiction be held accountable for not implementing the minimums found in recent codes? Will a builder be brought to task for not utilizing the provisions in the latest, nationally-accepted codes, even if they are not adopted locally? Is there a moral and ethical obligation to protect the public to the greatest reasonable extent possible? Unfortunately, we will probably not have the answers to those questions until tragedy befalls members of the public who relied on the local governmental officials to ensure their safety. TOO successful? In many ways, the construction industry in general, and the electrical industry specifically, might be a victim of its own success. We have taken a very dangerous physical property, tamed it for productive use, and established parameters for its use that has resulted in an enviable safety record. Could it be that this very success has lulled us into a sense of security so deeply ingrained that we believe taking away critical foundations of that safety will not put us at unnecessary risk? Is saving cost worth the lessening of safety? We need to do more than just hope that tragedy will not result from refocusing the purpose of inspections away from the trusting public to helping the bottom line of developers. We need to become advocates for safety; we need to speak out to the decisionmakers, and let them know that we are on a tragic path. We need to do it before the entire safety structure comes crashing down as a result of a weakened foundation to where it can no longer protect us. ei Joe Andre, NEMA West Coast Field Representative | joe.andre@nema.org

ICC Building Safety Month 2012

Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign offered each May to help individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create and maintain safe and sustainable structures. It is presented by the International Code Council and its 50,000 members along with corporations, agencies, professional associations, nonprofits, and others in the building construction, design, and safety community. Visit www2.icc-foundation.org/bsm.
Vince Baclawski, Senior Technical Director, Codes and Standards | vin_ baclawski@nema.org

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 Electrical InspectorsIt Wont Happen to Me!

Adding electrical inspector to an individuals job title does not add protection from electrical hazards. Even though inspectors are not normally subjected to the same hazards as field electricians, they do run a considerable risk of being involved in an arc-flash incident. Most inspectors were at one time electricians, and they carried the tools of the trade with great pride. These same individuals completed extensive apprenticeship programs that included classroom instruction and on-the-job training, which gave them a safety roadmap to complete the job safely. Unfortunately, after all that training, many of those same electricians are involved in arc-flash incidents and are shocked or even electrocuted each year. Why does this still occur? The answer may lie in the way that electricians view their daily routine. Some become complaisant and develop an attitude that it wont happen to me. Having served as an electrical inspector, I know it is not unusual for an inspector to cross the imaginary safety line and put himself into a potential arc-flash zone without wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). While an inspector always tries to inspect installations that are in a deenergized state, electrical inspectors who retain the it wont happen to me mentality will inspect installations that are not de-energized. Previous editions of NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace focused on protecting the safety of electricians. The standard did not mention the word inspection until the 2012 edition. During the 2012 revision, inspection was added to the scope of the document because inspectors are not immune to the electrical hazards that field electricians face. This change to NFPA 70E should have a major impact on the way that municipalities and inspectors view safety. Most communities mandate that firefighters wear protective gear during the course of their duties. Electrical inspectors should be treated similarly and should be supported by their communities when it comes to being properly equipped with appropriate PPE. Remember, if its not locked out and tested to be de-energized, treat electrical equipment as energized. ei Don Iverson, NEMA Midwest Field Representative | don.iverson@nema.org

NEMA Hires New Southern Field Representative

Paul W. Abernathy joined NEMA in March as its Southern Field Representative. He replaces John Minick, who retired in February. He has more than 22 years of experience as an electrician, electrical contractor, electrical inspector, author, and educator. At the age of 19, he became one of Virginias youngest licensed electricians.
Paul Abernathy Photo by Pat Walsh

Mr. Abernathy worked for the City of Richmond as an electrical inspector, senior electrical plans examiner, and acting engineer within the Electrical and Fire Alarm Plan Review division. The majority of his work was as the inhouse electrical code educator and plans examiner for new construction projects. He supervised the electrical inspections department and played a significant role in the daily operations of the inspection department as well. Most recently, as code supervisor for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, Mr. Abernathy oversaw daily operations of field inspectors in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building, and fire protection. Mr. Abernathy is certified by the International Code Council (ICC) in residential inspections of building. He is also ICC-certified as an Electrical Plans

Examiner and Commercial Electrical Inspector. In 2007, he was named Top Gun at the National Electrical Code (NEC) presenter honors as well as Member of the Year for InterNACHI, an association dedicated to the home inspection industry where he served as its electrical code consultant. In his passion for teaching the NEC, Mr. Abernathy has had more than 25,000 electricians, engineers, and inspectors as his students. He is the author of How to Perform Electrical Inspections (InterNACHI, 2009). Contact him at Paul.Abernathy@nema. org or 972-358-0543. ei Vince Baclawski, Senior Technical Director, Codes and Standards | vin_baclawski@nema.org

In the 1990s, he began conducting electrical code seminars and holding classes on electrical code exam preparation as well as training events for municipal inspection groups.

NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

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Code Actions/Standardization Trends

Calculation Tool Highlights New Edition of NEMA Conduit Fittings Selection and Installation Guidelines
NEMA recently published NEMA FB 2.10-2012 Selection and Installation Guidelines for Fittings for Use with Non-Flexible Metallic Conduit or Tubing (Rigid Metal Conduit, Intermediate Metal Conduit, and Electrical Metallic Tubing). It gives installers and code enforcement officials comprehensive guidance on the proper selection and application of common conduit and tubing fittings. These guidelines explain the background on critical installation issues such as fitting and carton markings, the importance of proper thread engagement, applying proper torque, and maintaining the integrity of the grounding system. In the new edition of FB 2.10, a more descriptive definition of and guidance information for expansion fittings were added, along with updates to reflect relevant changes in the National Electrical Code (NEC), which took effect in 2011, and new guidance for conduit bodies used in rigid metal conduit and intermediate metallic conduit systems. The most significant change is the addition of an informative appendix for guidance on conduit body wirefill. According the NEC, when a conduit body complies with the 6 and 8 times rule in Sections 314.28(A)(1) and (A) (2), the installer refers to the maximum allowable number and size of conductors according to conduit trade size in Chapter 9, Table 1. If, however, the conduit body does not meet the 6 and 8 times rule, it must be marked with the maximum permitted quantity and size of conductors. But what if the electrician does not have the specified size of conductor on hand during an installation? Can a larger quantity of a smaller size conductor than what is marked on the conduit body be installed? The answer is yes, if all the aspects for determining compliance with the NEC maximum fill area, or wirefill, in the conduit system are considered. These include determining the crosssectional area of the raceway for a given trade size from NEC Chapter 9, Table 4; the maximum conductor fill percentage based on the conduit body marking; and determining the installation conductor fill percentage including grounding conductor(s) based from NEC Chapter 9, Table 5. If the installation conductor fill percentage including grounding conductor(s) is less than the de-rating conduit fill percentage calculated based on the conduit body marking, the installation is permitted. The new appendix provides examples using larger quantities of smaller conductors than the maximum quantity and size marked on the conduit body. In the future, new examples involving a smaller quantity of larger conductors than the marked maximums will be considered. Additionally, the NEMA Conduit Fittings Section plans to develop a web-based calculator that will enable an installer or inspector to input variables and to readily determine if an installation complies with NEC. According to Fred Small, chairman of the Conduit Fittings Section Technical Committee, This new appendix is a valuable tool for installers of our products and for inspector authorities. We also look forward to making the calculator available to electricians to make it easier to find out whether a given installation is allowed. NEMA FB 2.10-2012 may be downloaded at no charge at www.nema.org/stds/fb2-10.cfm.

ei

Mike Leibowitz, Program Manager | mike.leibowitz@nema.org

NEMA Engineering Bulletin 103, Photovoltaic Wiring Methods offers a concise summary of wiring methods permitted as alternatives to the general wiring methods in National Electrical Code Chapters 1 through 4. Visit www.nema.org/PhotovoltaicWiringMethods

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NEMA electroindustry

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International Roundup
NEMA Hosts Visiting Intelligent Transportation Systems Delegation from Mexico
NEMA recently hosted a visiting delegation of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) officials from several states of Mexico as well as its capital, Mexico City. It was sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), one of the principal export promotion agencies of the U.S. government. The concession and government highways present opportunities for U.S. equipment vendors and engineering firms. Mexicos government has deployed security technologies along the U.S. Mexico border to expedite truck security and customs inspections. as well as brand new systems. Together, these deployments will demand U.S. technologies including RFID tags and readers, vehicle detection, message signs, and CCTV cameras, along with opportunities for engineering service firms. All of these technologies are tied together by NTCIP standards. The delegation followed its NEMA visit by hosting a business briefing the next day at the USTDA, during which specific plans for ITS systems were shared by each of the delegates. The remainder of 2012 will be unsettled because of upcoming presidential elections slated for July, but later this year NEMA plans to meet with the incoming administration of SCT to further

NEMAs objective in hosting the group was to inform the officials about the ongoing development of ITS standards by NEMA, focusing especially on the NTCIP (National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol) family of standards of which NEMA has been the principal architect for the past fifteen years, boosting the visibility of members of the Transportation Management Systems and Associated Control Devices Section. Mexicos large territory, economic development, and rapid population growth have led to a steady demand for road infrastructure and increased urban mobility. Most toll roads are administered by Mexican government agencies, and all of them include electronic toll collection using U.S. standards. Over the last few years, a renewed interest in highway concessions has led to a number of new toll roads that require ITS equipment such as electronic toll collection, road safety equipment, and modern communications systems.

Photos by Gene Eckhart

During recent years the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transport Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT)the key federal agency responsible for transportation, has designed and consolidated publicprivate partnership models as tools to attract larger investments to the highway sector. These projects involve investments of $11.7 billion dollars to construct or modernize 3,200 kilometers of highspecification highways. In the near future, urban modernization and growth will require a number of traffic management system upgrades,

develop a more formal system of NTCIPbased standards in Mexico to facilitate members efforts to provide state-of-theart products and services in this growing market. ei Gene Eckhart, Senior Director for International Operations | gen_eckhart@nema.org Jean Johnson, Technical Program Manager | jean.johnson@nema.org Bruce Schopp, Manager of Transportation Systems | bruc_schopp@nema.org
NEMA electroindustry

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Learn

More
NEMA is committed to safety in the workplace. NEMA publishes the ANSI Z535 series of standards for safety signs and colors. Collectively, they prevent accidents and injuries. See how to make the workplace a safer place at www.nema.org/stds/z535 AFCI safety is sweeping the nation. A free AFCI installation and troubleshooting training program will be available soon on the UL Knowledge Services website. Learn more at www.afcisafety.org and www.ulknowledgeservices.com NEMAcasts explore safety and other news from the electroindustry with key decision makers. Learn more and sign up at http://podcast.nema.org
Cover, 1, 8 Alhovik/Shutterstock.com 10 iStockphoto.com/fadedbeauty1

November June
Smart GridMeeting Future Expectations With billions now invested in Smart Grid, and numerous options and technologies emerging, everyone wants to know if the grid will meet future expectations or go the way of the dinosaurs. Regardless of your area of interest, Junes electroindustry has it coveredshaping the regulatory environment, demand response strategies, changing consumption patterns, electric vehicles, smart appliances, smart meters, microgrids, renewables, energy storage, and more. If youve got questions about meeting future expectations of the grid, weve got answers.

Coming in

This month is all about electrical safety. The 2012 National Electrical Safety Month campaign provides consumers with an introduction to some of the latest advances in residential electrical technologies. Visit http://esfi.org/index.cfm/ cdid/12474/pid/10272 Life Safety Solutions Online is the NEMA Signaling, Protection and Communication Section website. It provides key life safety information on carbon monoxide detection, life safety regulatory and legislative updates, industry research papers, fire safety blogs, videos, podcasts, and more. Visit www.lifesafetysolutionsonline.com sTOck aRT cRediTs:
Cover, 1,8 photographer2222/Shutterstock.com

Economic Spotlight
EBCI Online
NEMAs Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions can be found at www.nema.org/May12-EBCI. EBCI is based on results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies. It is designed to gauge the business confidence of the electroindustry in key world regions. ei

Available from NEMA/BIS The Electroindustry Economic Outlook

Based on popular demand for current data and forward-looking analysis of the electroindustry and the economic fundamentals that drive it, NEMA/BIS offers a subscription-based, regularly updated compendium of the information that industry professionals and executives most often request. The Electroindustry Economic Outlook is the preferred source for timely, comprehensive coverage of the economic trends and events shaping the U.S. electroindustry. Extensive Coverage Frequently Updated Affordably Priced To find out how the Electroindustry Economic Outlook can help your business, contact Tim Gill at 703-841-3298, or tim_gill@nema.org.

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NEMA electroindustry

May 2012

Registration is now open for

November 9 & 10

NEMAs 86th ANNUAL MEETING

Turnberry Isle Miami Aventura/Miami, Florida

Join us for a mix of business

sessions, seminars, and strategic outlooks with a global perspective. This is NEMAs premier event and your opportunity to meet with fellow NEMA members to discuss important issues facing electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers.

register at www.nema.org/illuminations

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Third-party certication and verication are now ENERGY STAR requirements. CSA International has earned EPA recognition as an ENERGY STAR Testing Facility and Certication Body. That means today we can meet all of your product safety and energy efciency testing needs with a single, seamlessly efcient testing program that saves you time and money. Look to CSA International to meet ENERGY STAR requirements for a wide range of products including: Household Appliances Fuel Burning and Electrical Appliances Commercial Food Equipment Information Technology Consumer Electronics Lighting Products HVAC Equipment Much More! If you prefer to perform testing using your own testing laboratory, we can qualify your lab facilities under our EPA accepted, Witnessed or Supervised Manufacturers Testing Laboratory programs, then verify your test results and submit them to the EPA. Contact us today and learn how much time and money a combined safety and energy efciency testing program with CSA International can save you.

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