Electrical Safety Month: Maintenance + Care
A component of a facilities electrical safety program is the maintenance and care of their electrical equipment and devices. With preventative maintenance and testing there is no “one size fits all” solution. Chapter 2 of NFPA 70E – The Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace offers general requirements for safety related maintenance but is not specific nor does it provide details for the frequency of performing electrical maintenance on a facility’s electrical infrastructure. The details and procedures for a facilities maintenance programs are largely left up the employer to implement and develop.
Part of a maintenance program would be tailored to the characteristics of the facility’s electrical equipment condition and its age. Factors that may affect the service life expectancy include electrical/mechanical stresses and environmental factors. Electrical stresses may include excessive loading, harmonics on a system, overvoltage, surges, and arcing faults to name a few. The environmental factors include humidity or moisture damage, corrosion, and heat related damages. Given favorable environment and regular maintenance the typical life expectancy of an electrical panel is generally expected to be 30-40 years. Equipment outside their useful lifespan are not only subject to possible electrical faults. The electrical equipment itself may have obsolete components or no longer supported by the manufacturer, resulting in further downtime and loss of production to make necessary repairs.
According to the US Fire Administration, electrical distribution systems rank 4th in the leading causes of fires in homes and in buildings. Many of which are originated in panelboard and other electrical systems that have not received proper maintenance. Further, it has been noted that 77% of these failures can be reduced by implementing a preventative maintenance program. On average a small electrical failure results in a minimum of 6 hours of interruption and can have the potential for significant loss of capital resources.
ISG can offer an electrical assessment of your facilities entire electrical distribution and equipment to identify potential hazards resulting from improper maintenance that could cause an electrical accident. These assessments would include a full inventory, age of the equipment, condition of the equipment, and the expected remaining service life based on those factors. ISG would provide the client with a detailed report of their findings along with providing an equipment replacement schedule and costs for your facilities budgeting purposes.
Blog Written By: Royal Streed, PE
Related Articles
.webp)
Navigating the MS4 Permit Program: How ISG Supports Communities Every Step of the Way
The management of stormwater runoff is a pressing concern for cities across the nation, and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program is a critical framework designed to protect water quality and our natural resources.
Optimize Maintenance + Reveal Opportunities with Facilities Assessments
The Clay County Board of Supervisors (County) knew they needed to address facility repairs in their Administration Building, Courthouse, and General Services Center. While maintaining public buildings does not generate excitement, County leaders recognized that deferring upkeep of public facilities can cost more in the long run if left unaddressed and may result in limiting other more impactful projects.
Creating Flood-Resilient Communities: A Case Study in Floodplain Management
In the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans love to live near and play in our abundant water systems. But the effects of population growth, land use development, and climate change pose challenges within floodplain areas, contributing to persistent flooding issues.
Why a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is Critical to Project Success
In the world of real estate development and land acquisition, the road to success is paved with thorough planning and attention to detail. One often overlooked but crucial step in the due diligence process is the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). Before a client begins any project, ISG often conducts a Phase 1 ESA to identify any recognized environmental conditions (RECs) that could impact the property's value or pose potential risks to public health and the environment. The result of the assessment influences the project’s direction and success long-term.
100% Employee Owned
.svg)
