hershamboy
Member
Hey all,
I have a bit of a nagging issue regarding Available Fault Current labeling locally. I have been using a DuraLabel machine for the past few years for producing our Arc Flash labels and general panel, disconnect, transformer labels as this machine outputs UV, gas, oil, chemical, and weather resistant vinyl labels and cable wraps and has been pretty handy for a large part of our marking needs. I have run into a specific inspector who does not like this for marking our AFC information on services as pertains to 110.24, and has failed final inspection on a project because of this. He said we have to use engraved plastic placards as he feels that is permanent. I provided the paperwork for our labels with their listed use UV and other substance resistance and 5 yr rating, along with the paperwork for the plastic outdoor engraving material which shows it has only a 3 yr rating from the manufacturer. He says he still wont approve the vinyl labels as they are not permanent, when I asked what permanent meant he said it needs to last "forever". With the paperwork I gave him showing that the plastic engraved labels are defiantly not going to last forever he still insisted that the plastic label would be acceptable to him. At this point I am giving him the label he wants but with ignorance like that its hard to bite my tongue.
I have pulled all the information I can find and looking at the code sections regarding Arc Flash and Available Fault Current as they seem to be similar in regards to wording regarding the labeling itself and cannot find anything that clarifies this much better. I see a reference in the Mike Holt guide to code changes for 2017 that cite ANSI Z535.4 for guidelines for design and durability of signs and labels as pertains to Arc Flash and AFC labeling. In this I read that permanent can be a label or sticker that is designed to be permanent and can withstand the environment. Which are the same parameters as Arc Flash labeling and is widely accepted in a label such as my AFC labels are made (a weather and UV resistant "Sticker"). This is a bit petty at this point but I have been around with this inspector on this project over very nit picky items, and at this point don't like providing factual paperwork and being told he will accept a product with a manufacturer stated lesser lifespan rating. I have always had a bit of a sore spot regarding there not being any clear criteria regarding labeling of this nature that I have been able to find in NEC or NAFPA 70 related to Arc Flash and associated labeling. Even most power companies have clear guidelines on marking labels as to size, color, and letter height for meter tags and other labels on services they connect to. Any opinions, interpretations, and or thoughts on this are appreciated.
Thanks for listening to my rambling,
Craig
I have a bit of a nagging issue regarding Available Fault Current labeling locally. I have been using a DuraLabel machine for the past few years for producing our Arc Flash labels and general panel, disconnect, transformer labels as this machine outputs UV, gas, oil, chemical, and weather resistant vinyl labels and cable wraps and has been pretty handy for a large part of our marking needs. I have run into a specific inspector who does not like this for marking our AFC information on services as pertains to 110.24, and has failed final inspection on a project because of this. He said we have to use engraved plastic placards as he feels that is permanent. I provided the paperwork for our labels with their listed use UV and other substance resistance and 5 yr rating, along with the paperwork for the plastic outdoor engraving material which shows it has only a 3 yr rating from the manufacturer. He says he still wont approve the vinyl labels as they are not permanent, when I asked what permanent meant he said it needs to last "forever". With the paperwork I gave him showing that the plastic engraved labels are defiantly not going to last forever he still insisted that the plastic label would be acceptable to him. At this point I am giving him the label he wants but with ignorance like that its hard to bite my tongue.
I have pulled all the information I can find and looking at the code sections regarding Arc Flash and Available Fault Current as they seem to be similar in regards to wording regarding the labeling itself and cannot find anything that clarifies this much better. I see a reference in the Mike Holt guide to code changes for 2017 that cite ANSI Z535.4 for guidelines for design and durability of signs and labels as pertains to Arc Flash and AFC labeling. In this I read that permanent can be a label or sticker that is designed to be permanent and can withstand the environment. Which are the same parameters as Arc Flash labeling and is widely accepted in a label such as my AFC labels are made (a weather and UV resistant "Sticker"). This is a bit petty at this point but I have been around with this inspector on this project over very nit picky items, and at this point don't like providing factual paperwork and being told he will accept a product with a manufacturer stated lesser lifespan rating. I have always had a bit of a sore spot regarding there not being any clear criteria regarding labeling of this nature that I have been able to find in NEC or NAFPA 70 related to Arc Flash and associated labeling. Even most power companies have clear guidelines on marking labels as to size, color, and letter height for meter tags and other labels on services they connect to. Any opinions, interpretations, and or thoughts on this are appreciated.
Thanks for listening to my rambling,
Craig