Hay Kevin;
I agree, I think that NFPA did in fact intend that the ANSI design label is to be used, and I agree that it should, but again I'm getting some mixed feelings on the enforcement level. Some jurisdictions will permit a marking pen to be used instead of the ANSI design label.

I had some input from Don Shields from NFPA and he agreed that the ANSI design for the label was intended by the code panel, but would be up to the AHJ for enforcement.

It looks as though for 2005 we will have to calculate the Shock Boundary, Arc-Flash Boundary, as well as the PPE equipment required. As you well know this will require the available fault current at that point of the installation to be known in order to provide that information. So a point-to-point short circuit calculation will need to be provided at plan review, and for the calculation. Many jurisdictions are not getting this info, so some major changes will have to be made to comply with the future requirements.

The easiest way that I have found to have contractors comply with 110.16 is to send them to a website called ARCFLASHLABELS.COM

Sadly, I must admit that I am noticing that there are MANY inspectors who are not enforcing this code because they don't know it EXISTS!! C'mon!

To make life easier for all of us, we sould get the label from our vendors as part of the switchgear package as they need to manufacture the gear as per code. Seeing as though this is a code requirement it makes sense that they, the switchgear manufacturer, supply the label to meet the current code requirement.

Rob,

I agree with you in part. Having the manufacturer label the gear would make it much easier. However there is a problem with that:

The code 110.16 (and please keep in mind that I did't write this) says that it must be labelled in the field, or "field labelled." I forget the actual wording, and I don't have the NEC book nearby at the moment.

The burden falls on the contractor according to code language. But that's not all - in the 2005 code (already written) the labelling requirement gets even worse. I know that the code panelists were requesting opinions in the form of written letters from electrical contractors, to try and overturn this requirement. I don't know if contractors actually take the time to do this or not.

I would suggest that if people don't like this code, attend the IAEI meetings and speak about it. Voice your opinion. Then someone eventually needs to follow up and submit a proposal to NFPA during the time frame allotted.

That's all anyone can do, and if everyone stuck together on this I bet we could get it changed. But for now, looks like we're stuck with it.

I just moved from Las Vegas and the inspectors in all the juridictions were calling us on this item. They did not accept a hand written notice and this can fall back on if it were hand written it is not done in a "journeyman" like manner. The vendor gave us a pile of stickers to use on all our jobs. This really worked out as it gave all our work uniformity, and in this looked more profesional.

Cool beans. Who was the vendor?

I'm not sure they would do that here, but anything's worth a try. If they will supply the labels, great!

Thanks for the info that they are enforcing that code out in Vegas. It's important for everyone to see that other places are enforcing that code, too. I think about Vegas quite often. Can't imagine the plan review that takes place for one of those mega-hotels.

As a matter of fact it was Nedco Supply. Have not worked one of those mega resorts but could not even begin to imagine the amount of electrical involved as well as all the systems.