Why Chose Us for your Arc Flash Assessment and Training Needs?

why work with us

Endeavor only performs complete and comprehensive Arc Flash Hazard Assessment and training that conform to IEEE 1584, NFPA 70E, and OSHA standards, rules, and regulations. We do not cut corners. With Endeavor’s turnkey Arc Flash service, you can sit back and rest assured your facility will be studied properly and accurately and, once complete, your facility will be in compliance with all the latest Arc Flash standards. When compared scope-to-scope and apples-to-apples, Endeavor has been, and continues to be, extremely competitive in pricing.

How do I compare?

Cost will always be a primary factor when evaluating Arc Flash proposals, but don’t let that be your only deciding factor. You must be sure you are comparing apples-to-apples. Some Arc Flash providers will boast they can provide an analysis for an astonishingly low price. The goal of a proper Arc Flash Hazard Assessment is first and foremost to keep your employees safe, and the safety of your employees is NOT where you want to cut cost.

Evaluating Quotes

With all the companies offering to perform Arc Flash Hazard Assessments in the current market, it has become difficult to compare quotes. None of the scopes of work seem to be the same. Each provider tells me I need, or don’t need something different. The proposed costs are all over the place.

Be aware

For a comprehensive Arc Flash Hazard Assessment at a price much lower than most, the provider MUST be cutting corners somewhere. Of course you want a fair price, but if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. A proper assessment takes time, especially when it comes to the engineering analysis including detailed recommendations on how to correct problem areas.

Questions to ask when comparing quotes and considering a provider:

Will the final report be sealed by a Professional Engineer (P.E.)?
Many companies performing Arc Flash Hazard Assessments today are doing so without P.E. supervision. While NFPA 70E stops short of mandating that a P.E. must perform an Arc Flash assessment, OSHA and most individual state boards are quite clear about requiring life safety calculations and studies be performed under the strict supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Check with your state.: What software will be used to perform the assessment?
A professional power software package will run between ten and twenty thousand dollars (or more) per seat depending on modules selected. Of the leading power software programs, most electrical engineers consider SKM Power Tools and EasyPower to be among the best. Beware of any company offering an analysis performed on discount or free Arc Flash software. This is one area where you definitely get what you pay for.: Will the provider install all Arc Flash labels?
Some providers offer to let the client install some or all of the Arc Flash labels themselves in an effort to “appear” to save their client money. The result of an Arc Flash study, including installing the correct label on the intended piece of equipment, directly affects the safety of your employees. Is this really where you want to try to save money? The money saved by the provider not installing the labels is minimal at best. This option is more likely offered as an attempt to further mask (or justify) their low cost or to add a layer of uncertainty regarding liability should an incident occur down the road.

Are generic labeled equipment counted in quoted number of points to be studied?
A generic label contains “up to” or “maximum” values (generally, the maximum for a Level 0 piece of equipment) for a number of the label’s required parameters. An equipment specific label will display the precise calculated values for all required parameters for each specific piece of equipment. Specific labels also typically display the specific equipment’s name and the device providing the protection. A specific label can only be produced for equipment whose data has been gathered in the field, entered into power analysis software, and analyzed, thus also resulting in being included in the tabulated results in the report and on the single line diagram(s). Ask for a breakdown of “equipment specific” labels/points and “generic” labels/points. Be sure the quotes you are comparing have similar quantities of specific points studied.: Does the provider offer free support and for how long after the project is completed?
Your assessment is complete and you have received your final report. Several months later, you have completed a number of the recommendations provided in the report. Will the provider update your power model, re-run the analyses, update the documentation, and print & ship revised labels and documentation to you at no additional cost? Endeavor will provide 12 months of support at no additional cost to allow our clients time to implement our recommendations.

Evaluating Arc Flash Hazard Assessment Quotes

Will the study include your entire power system?

Some providers will study a power system down to what they term to be the “First Level 0” piece of equipment and claim that everything sub-fed beyond that point will also be Level 0. This is simply NOT true. There are numerous instances where equipment has been shown to be rated Level 1, 2, and even 3 that is fed from a panel rated Level 0. Reasons such as code violations (e.g. under-sized conductors), old or obsolete overcurrent devices, and low fault current can all increase incident energy downstream of Level 0 equipment. This practice can greatly compromise employee safety, not to mention it is a violation of NFPA 70E and OSHA regulations. OSHA and NFPA 70E require employers to assess all equipment operating at 50 volts and higher for shock and Arc Flash Hazards. The only way to know for sure is to gather data and study all required equipment on the power system and back up each piece of equipment with documented calculation results.

Single line diagrams from providers that only study down to the “First Level 0” will only include the equipment to this point. These providers will label all other equipment with “generic” Arc Flash labels and none of this equipment will show up on the single line diagrams. Part of a proper Arc Flash Hazard Assessment is to create a complete and accurate single line model of the facility’s entire power system.

For your protection and, more so for your employees’ safety, insist on a study that includes your entire power system.

Will I receive complete and detailed reporting?

Since the results of an Arc Flash assessment directly effects the safety of your employees, this analysis must be complete, detailed, and thorough.

The report should include:

Assumptions made during the project;
Findings including problem areas and code issues;
Recommendations to resolve issues, problem areas, and to mitigate higher Arc Flash ratings;
Time Current Curves (TCC’s) showing coordination was evaluated and considered during analysis Overcurrent Device Evaluation showing each device in the power system can safely interrupt their fault;
Single Line Diagrams detailing the facility's entire power system;
and, of course, an Arc Flash Spreadsheet displaying the calculated incident energy and other parameters for each specific piece of studied equipment.

Ask to see a sample of the provider’s Arc Flash report table of contents.