Article 500.8 (A) self-evaluation

[Jebedaya]

Hi Experts,

In NFPA 70 in Article 500.8 (A) Suitability is "self-evaluation of manufacturers" mentioned.

Does any official documents belonging to self-certification existing?
Could anybody describe how is the process of self-evaluation?


Thanks

BR Jebedaya

 

[rbalex]

Hi Experts,

In NFPA 70 in Article 500.8 (A) Suitability is "self-evaluation of manufacturers" mentioned.

Does any official documents belonging to self-certification existing?
Could anybody describe how is the process of self-evaluation?


Thanks

BR Jebedaya

You are referring specifically to Section 500.8(A)(3). If there were "official documents belonging to self-certification", the product involved would probably fall into either Section 500.8(A)(1) or (2) where a product standard is already available. In the case of Section 500.8(A)(3), it is up to the evaluator to convince the Authority Having Jurisdiction that they are qualified to make the evaluation and provide documents to show competency and whatever basis there was to make the evaluation, such as test data.

The 500.8(A) Subsections basically follow the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (FedOSHA) definition of Acceptable in CFR 1910.399:

Acceptable. An installation or equipment is acceptable to the Assistant Secretary of Labor, and approved within the meaning of this Subpart S:
(1) If it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled, or otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory recognized pursuant to § 1910.7; or
(2) With respect to an installation or equipment of a kind that no nationally recognized testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels, or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by another Federal agency, or by a State, municipal, or other local authority responsible for enforcing occupational safety provisions of the National Electrical Code, and found in compliance with the provisions of the National Electrical Code as applied in this subpart; or
(3) With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations that are designed, fabricated for, and intended for use by a particular customer, if it is determined to be safe for its intended use by its manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and makes available for inspection to the Assistant Secretary and his authorized representatives.

 

[Jebedaya]

Article 500.8 (A) self-evaluation

Hello Bob,

thanks for reply.

This means in case of manufacturer's self evaluation, the manufacturer have to contact the AHJ. AHJ will specify the needed documentation.
Do you know how I can get in contact to AHJ?

CFR 1910.399 -> I've been looking for that, thanks.

Is there any restriction of self evaluation relating to Class I Div 1 or Div 2?


Thanks

Jebedaya

 

[rbalex]

Hello Bob,

thanks for reply.

This means in case of manufacturer's self evaluation, the manufacturer have to contact the AHJ. AHJ will specify the needed documentation.
Do you know how I can get in contact to AHJ?

CFR 1910.399 -> I've been looking for that, thanks.

Is there any restriction of self evaluation relating to Class I Div 1 or Div 2?


Thanks

Jebedaya

The manufacturer doesn't necessarily have to contact the AHJ, but someone obviously needs to. Legally, the owner/operator of a facility is responsible for safety so they are the ones that must insure that the contact is made and the proper documentation established. The manufacturer could be the agent. An engineer-of-record, may act as the agent. The own/operator is still the one ultimately responsible.

A note of caution about the FedOSHA requirements. Read the definition carefully. In the case of FedOSHA, the various sub-parts are sequential. That is, if a product can be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL), it must be. Only when the first two options cannot be satisfied can self-certification be used. Many of the current NRTLs have European affiliates that can provide appropriate testing/certification for their US organization. The additional links shown in the webpage indicated above will identify the foreign offices and the products they are authorized to certify.

Some States have their own OSHAs; however, their rules will be substantially the same.

The self evaluation rules for Division 1 and 2 are identical.