The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District needed to reduce the arc flash incident energy (IE) levels at three of their facilities in Detroit, Michigan; Duluth, Minnesota; and Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Barr was hired to conduct electrical analyses to provide recommendations to reduce the facility personnel’s risk of exposure to electric energy while providing the USACE necessary information to implement mitigation techniques.
Barr performed a power system analysis of the three facility electrical systems, including for a floating plant located on a barge. A task-based assessment (per NEPA 70E requirements) or a detailed IE analysis (based on IEEE 1584) was used at each site, depending on the electrical characteristics of the facility. The IE analysis included a short circuit study and protective device coordination study along with an arc flash hazard (AFH) analysis. All analyses were in compliance with industry standards as well as USACE standards ER 385-1-100 and EP 385-1-100.
Barr performed the IE analysis using SKM System Analysis software and submitted an AFH report to the USACE summarizing the analysis, results, mitigation recommendations, and conclusions.