Early in 2024 Brian Bash of Honeywell Sailsbury Assessment Solutions (S.A.S) Reached out to ESUK looking to engage with ESUK to conduct Arc flash studies for Honeywell sites around Europe to IEEE 1584-2018 standards. During initial discussion it became apparent there was an urgent requirement to conduct studies on 8 sites located within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Solution
Electrical Safety UK (ESUK) began by contacting designated representatives at each site to obtain single line diagrams (SLDs) of the electrical networks. Where SLDs were unavailable, ESUK arranged complimentary pre-assessments, allowing a principal engineer to visit the site and quantify the electrical network. While the networks were being summarised, ESUK engineers held meetings with Honeywell Salisbury Assessment Solutions (S.A.S.) to review Honeywell’s electrical system study specifications. Amendments were made to ensure full compliance with UK and EU legislation. Following this, fixed-price proposals were produced for each site.
Approach
ESUK agreed on the scope and strategy with Honeywell S.A.S Based in the USA. As Honeywell S.A.S use SKM Power*Tools software, they requested that the studies be conducted using the same platform ESUK carried out the data collection phase of the work, gathering information on the distribution system at the site using the SKM Power*Tools software. Where data could not be collected during scheduled site visits, ESUK used its Outstanding Information Transmittal System to request the missing details, which were subsequently provided by Honeywell site teams.
Once all data was received, ESUK conducted a full arc flash analysis for each site using SKM Power*Tools.
This included:
- Short Circuit Analysis to IEC 60909.
- Protective device and distribution equipment short circuit breaking/rating capacity analysis.
- Protective device co-ordination (TCC’s) under Short Circuit Conditions
- Arc flash incident energy analysis.
- Arc flash boundary distance calculations.
Any instances where the three-phase prospective short circuit current exceeded the breaking capacity of protective devices were highlighted in the Arc Flash Risk Assessment Report. Protective curves were provided to illustrate any miscoordination between circuit protective devices. An incident energy hazard reduction analysis was also conducted. Where incident energy levels exceeded 8 cal/cm², preferred mitigation options and estimated costs were provided. ESUK also offered guidance on “As Low as is Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP) requirements in line with UK legislation, helping sites understand the expected investment needed to reduce and manage arc flash risks.
A full Arc Flash Report presentation was delivered to each site’s Health, Safety, Environment, and Engineering teams via Microsoft Teams. Findings and deliverables were presented, explained, and discussed. Each site received updated single line diagrams showing the electrical distribution network, prospective short circuit current (fault study), and arc flash study analysis. ESUK also supplied and installed arc flash warning labels compliant with UK and European standards.
Brian Bash P.E. MEng of Sailsbury S.A.S
We approached Electrical Safety UK because of their outstanding reputation in arc flash analysis, particularly in the UK and across the oil and gas industry. I was tasked with managing Honeywell Aerospace sites in the UK and needed a partner capable of handling comprehensive arc flash services — from data collection and analysis in the UK to Honeywell Aerospace’s specific compliance, labelling, single line diagram development, training, and customer follow-up. What impressed me most was that Electrical Safety UK offers a full-service, one-stop solution for arc flash safety and electrical engineering consulting — very much like what Sailsbury S.A.S provides in the United States. Working with Electrical Safety UK has led to two major improvements. First, the professionalism and work style of their personnel are exceptional. Second, their client communication and technical expertise are of the highest standard, delivering projects efficiently and cost-effectively, even with minimal oversight. Our experience with Electrical Safety UK was highly successful because we had complete confidence that the work would be done correctly. As a professional engineer and arc flash specialist in the United States, I found Electrical Safety UK to be more competent, efficient, and diligent than expected in all areas, including financial management, invoicing, project tracking, customer interfacing, and all technical aspects of arc flash projects.
