An arc flash study — commonly called an Incident Energy Analysis — is one of the most important safety documents a Georgia facility can have. It identifies where arc flash hazards exist, quantifies the energy levels workers could be exposed to, and determines the appropriate PPE for every piece of electrical equipment. But many Georgia facility managers are unclear about whether their industry is actually required to have one, and what happens if they do not.
The short answer: if your Georgia facility has workers who interact with energized electrical equipment above 50 volts, you almost certainly need an arc flash study. Here is a breakdown by industry.
The Regulatory Requirement for Arc Flash Studies in Georgia
NFPA 70E requires that an incident energy analysis be performed to determine the arc flash hazard at electrical equipment before any worker approaches it to perform work. OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S references NFPA 70E as the recognized industry standard for electrical safety.
IEEE 1584 provides the calculation methodology, available through the IEEE standards library. Together, these standards create a clear compliance obligation for Georgia employers across virtually every industry sector that uses electrical power.
Industries in Georgia That Require Arc Flash Studies
Manufacturing and Automotive Assembly
Georgia is home to major automotive assembly plants, tire manufacturers, and component suppliers — including facilities in the Atlanta metro, Savannah, and Columbus regions. These high-voltage environments with large motor loads, VFDs, and distribution switchgear carry significant arc flash risk. An arc flash study is non-negotiable for these facilities.
Data Centers and Technology Facilities
Georgia has become one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the Southeast. Data centers operate high-density electrical systems at medium voltage, making arc flash hazards particularly severe. NFPA 70E compliance, including current incident energy studies, is a standard requirement for data center operators and their electrical contractors.
Food and Beverage Processing
Poultry, beverage, and food processing plants represent a major segment of Georgia’s industrial economy. These facilities have large electrical loads, frequent equipment changes, and wet environments that increase electrical hazard risk. Arc flash studies must be updated whenever system configurations change.
Healthcare Facilities and Hospitals
Georgia hospitals and healthcare campuses operate critical electrical infrastructure including medium-voltage switchgear, generator systems, and UPS equipment. These systems must be regularly maintained and arc flash-labeled to protect both facilities staff and the patients who depend on uninterrupted power.
Utilities and Energy Sector
Electric utilities, co-ops, and independent power producers in Georgia operate under NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements for arc flash protection. Utility substations and generation facilities require comprehensive incident energy studies aligned with the most current IEEE 1584-2018 calculation standards.
Commercial Real Estate and Building Operations
Large commercial buildings, mixed-use developments, and institutional facilities in Georgia all house electrical distribution systems that require arc flash labeling. Building engineers and facilities managers who perform any work on electrical panels or switchgear must have a compliant incident energy study in place.
Logistics, Warehousing, and Distribution
Georgia’s position as a logistics hub — anchored by the Port of Savannah and Hartsfield-Jackson — means thousands of large warehouse and distribution facilities operate in the state. Electric forklifts, charging systems, and large distribution panels in these facilities all present arc flash hazards that require analysis.
What Happens If a Georgia Facility Does Not Have an Arc Flash Study?
Without a current arc flash study, workers have no way of knowing what PPE is required at each piece of equipment. If a worker is injured in an arc flash event at a facility with no incident energy analysis, the employer faces significant OSHA citations, potential criminal liability, and workers’ compensation exposure. OSHA can issue willful violation citations when an employer was aware of a hazard and failed to address it.
How Bowtie Engineering Delivers Arc Flash Studies for Georgia Facilities
Bowtie Engineering performs comprehensive incident energy analyses using IEEE 1584-2018 calculations aligned with NFPA 70E and OSHA CFR 1910. Their licensed Professional Engineers collect system data, model your electrical distribution system, calculate incident energy at each equipment location, and produce compliant arc flash labels with all required information — details available on their arc flash studies page. Findings are documented in full written reports and integrated into the BowVue compliance management platform. Contact Bowtie at Sales@bowtie8.com or 866-730-6620 to get started.
If your team also needs training once the study is complete, Bowtie Engineering offers fully integrated NFPA 70E training — incorporating your facility-specific arc flash findings directly into the training curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does an arc flash study need to be updated in Georgia?
NFPA 70E requires that the arc flash risk assessment be reviewed and updated whenever a major modification or renovation is made to electrical equipment or operating procedures. NFPA 70E requires refreshing your study every five years even if no changes have occurred, as utility supply characteristics can change.
What information does an arc flash study produce?
A completed arc flash study produces incident energy values (in cal/cm²) at each equipment location, arc flash boundary distances, required PPE, equipment labels compliant with NFPA 70E, and a written engineering report documenting all findings and recommendations.
Can we perform our own arc flash study in Georgia?
Yes however, an Arc flash studies require power systems engineering expertise, specialized software, and the ability to collect accurate system data. NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 require that the study be performed by a qualified person. Most Georgia facilities retain a licensed engineering firm like Bowtie Engineering to ensure the study is technically accurate and legally defensible.
Does Bowtie Engineering provide arc flash labels after completing the study?
Yes. Bowtie Engineering provides a complete arc flash labeling package following every incident energy analysis. Labels include all information required by NFPA 70E including incident energy level, arc flash boundary, required PPE, and equipment identification.
What is the difference between an arc flash study and an arc flash risk assessment?
An arc flash risk assessment is the broader NFPA 70E requirement that includes identifying arc flash hazards, estimating the likelihood and severity of injury, and determining safe work conditions along with the condition of maintenance. An arc flash study (incident energy analysis) is the quantitative engineering calculation performed as part of that assessment. Bowtie Engineering provides the tools for a fully integrated service.