Continuing the doors open / doors closed discussion:

Just thought I would throw this one out there and then run

In the 2012 Edition of NFPA 70E, the Arc Flash Boundaries (AFB) and maximum clearing times and short circuit currents are now listed for each task in table 130.8(C)(15)(1) i.e. the HRC Tables with a new number.

For a few of the tasks the AFB is 0 inches with the doors closed and 235 inches with the doors open - the maximum short circuit current in each case is 35 kA and the maximum clearing time is 0.5 seconds.

Credit for the doors? Interesting….

It sure seems like there is credit for the doors to me. Both cases have the same upper limit for short circuit current and clearing time which should mean the same incident energy.

If I had these values for a calculation study, I would be posting the same arc flash protection boundary whether the doors were open or closed for the person performing work while an arc flash hazard existed.

Yeah, you better run

Doors do make a difference no matter what some may think; I’ve seen this first hand more than once. There are even a few test videos out there showing the differences. The problem is no one has come up with a multiplying factor to adjust the calculations or to assist with some type of risk assessment. Everyone continues to treat a fully exposed and a doors or panels closed configuration as the same with regards to “heat exposure�; this has never made sense to me. I agree doors can fly open or projectiles can hit the worker but we’re not calculating impact hazard.

I think the problem here is that the rules were written that way because the condition of the doors, missing bolts, bolts not tightened, etc., is unknown and as a result a conservative measure was recommended. More times then not I have found these conditions on customer's equipment. Also, when the doors do open during an arc fault, the heat, may be somewhat less, but at what value do you use for the calculations. It all depends on how long they stay closed.

Right, too many variables (You forgot vents).

Guess I can run but I can't hide.

You're right, but sometimes I don't like to vent.

This is a very good point.
In order to determine a proper analysis I believe you would want to calculate as though the doors were open. It is too easy to overlook the condition of the doors at the time of calculation or more importantly at some future date.

Equipment does change and not always for the better.

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I heard in a training class a while ago that doors can be traveling around 600 mph when they are blown off. That'll leave a mark!