Page 14 - IEC Insights Mar-April2020

FEATURE

whether equipment is going to need
replacing (based on the type of damage) Chapter 32 of NFPA 70B stresses the importance of
or whether it can be reconditioned,
is essential. There are also many new documenting everything about how the equipment
revisions to the National Electrical Code® was installed, including taking pictures of how certain
(NEC®) that spell out what equipment can
or cannot be reconditioned. Documenting equipment was configured, and labeling wires so that
what the recovery plan is for each piece
of equipment based on each type of when it’s being re-installed it can all be connected just
disaster event they might be exposed the same as it was. This might include site sketches, one-
to in that region is key to this process.
line diagrams, and equipment schedules. When paired
Section 32.2.6.2 of NFPA 70B gives
some examples of how a facility might with a list of what can be repaired versus what must
choose to categorize the priority of the be replaced and the list of priorities for recovery, this
recovery or repair efforts. Each facility is
going to be different but the concept is documentation becomes an important tool in helping
similar. Start by repairing systems that
are most critical to building operation, our customers hit the ground running in the wake of
such as the supply system. Next priority disaster and minimize the time that the facility is down.
might be the system for distributing
power throughout the building. This
prioritization could then trickle on down unfortunate event, like a natural disaster.
through the rest of the equipment within It can also help ensure that when they
the building giving the recovery team an need to determine who gets hired in
idea of where to start and where to go the recovery process, building owners
next based on the most critical equipment remember who spent the time walking
being brought online first, and so on. through the needed steps to prepare
and plan ahead for a possible disaster.
Lastly, Chapter 32 of NFPA 70B stresses
the importance of documenting Ultimately, when relationships are built
everything about how the equipment on trust it can be a powerful way to
was installed, including taking pictures of secure important work. Contractors
how certain equipment was configured, are on the front lines of protecting
and labeling wires so that when it’s being the world from electrical hazards,
re-installed it can all be connected just and educating those we interact with
the same as it was. This might include about their system is a key component
site sketches, one-line diagrams, and of how we provide this protection.
equipment schedules. When paired with When all the pieces come together, we
a list of what can be repaired versus can make the world a safer place.
what must be replaced and the list of
priorities for recovery, this documentation For additional information, download
becomes an important tool in helping NFPA’s free “Natural Disaster Electrical
our customers hit the ground running Equipment Checklist,” which builds
in the wake of disaster and minimize off of recommendations in Chapter 32
the time that the facility is down. of the 2019 edition of NFPA 70B.

As a contractor, we have knowledge Derek Vigstol is Senior Electrical
that needs to be passed on to building Content Specialist with the National Fire
owners as the facility changes hands. Protection Association in Quincy, Mass.
Even if we are not the first contractor He can be reached at dvigstol@nfpa.
on site, we are often viewed by the org. Photo courtesy of Adrienne Albrecht,
client as the expert. Sharing valuable National Fire Protection Association.
information can help lessen the pain in an

12 Insights Magazine | March/April 2020 | www.ieci.org