Arc flash advisory

Arc flash risk assessment and PPE advisory

Most sites either have no arc flash data, or have assessments that overestimate the hazard and lead to PPE that workers refuse to wear. Vailos assesses your actual risk, specifies protection to match, and supplies the certified garments.

Book a no-obligation consultation →See the garment range

19,000°C

The temperature an arc flash incident can reach, in a fraction of a second.

Why it matters

Employers have a duty to manage arc flash risk.

Arc flash is a recognised electrical hazard, with the potential to cause severe burns, life-changing injuries and fatalities in a fraction of a second.

UK health and safety law does not name arc flash, but the duties still apply. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to prevent danger from electrical systems and ensure people working on them are competent. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a suitable and sufficient assessment of foreseeable risks, and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE to be suitable for the risk it guards against.

To select the right level of protection, you first need to know the severity of the hazard. That requires a proper arc flash assessment: calculating potential incident energy and identifying the real risk levels for people working on or near your electrical equipment. This is general information, not legal advice.

How we work

From your risk to the right garment.

1
Meet your team and set the standard
We meet your teams, understand the work they do and where the risk sits, and set your arc flash standard together.
2
Specify the right garment for each job
We tell you what to specify for each kind of job. Many teams issue one default garment to everyone and pay for protection some roles do not need. Matching the rating to the job cuts that cost.
3
Supply the garments
We supply the right garments from our own certified range, in UK stock with next-day delivery, customised where needed.

Start with step 1 →

What we deliver

Advisory from people who live it.

Vailos specialists have delivered arc flash awareness sessions to electricians, EHS advisors and site managers at facilities including major London data centres. We understand the standards, the hazard levels and the PPE requirements, and we make the certified garments ourselves.

Review of site electrical infrastructure and available documentation

Thermal hazard assessment and incident energy analysis

Arc flash boundary calculation and risk categorisation by asset

PPE specification matched to actual hazard levels, not worst-case estimates

On-site awareness session for electrical workers, EHS and management

Full written report, asset risk register and management action plan

Advisory packages

Two ways to start.

Choose the package that fits your site. Both end with a PPE specification matched to your actual hazard levels.

Starting point

Desktop Arc Flash Review

£3,800 – £4,400

Typical investment

For sites with existing electrical documentation. A clear picture of arc flash risk without a full on-site survey.

Review of electrical drawings and protection data
Incident energy calculations per asset
Arc flash boundary assessments
PPE specification recommendations
Executive summary and asset risk ranking

Full service

Full Site Arc Flash Assessment

£7,500 – £17,000+

Varies by site size and complexity

For larger facilities, utilities, data centres, manufacturing sites and critical infrastructure.

On-site survey and full asset verification
Switchgear inspection and protection device review
Verified incident energy calculations
Hazard categorisation and PPE matrix
Detailed engineering report and management summary
On-site arc flash awareness session included

Prices are typical ranges. We confirm a fixed price after a no-obligation consultation, on site or remote.

Complete service

From the assessment to the garments on your teams.

The advisory does not end at the report. We support labelling, training, PPE supply and ongoing awareness.

Risk assessment

Incident energy analysis
Arc flash boundary mapping
Asset risk categorisation
Written report and register

PPE specification

Specification by hazard level
Layering and system guidance
APC 1 and APC 2 options
UK stock, next-day delivery

Arc flash labelling

Warning labels per asset
Risk level categorisation
Site rollout support

Training and awareness

On-site awareness sessions
Electrical worker sessions
EHS and management sessions
PPE live demonstration

The PPE advantage

We specify what we make.

Every PPE recommendation is backed by our own certified garment range, independently tested, EN 61482-1-2 APC 1 and APC 2 rated, in UK stock with next-day delivery.

When we specify a garment, we supply it: the right weight, the right arc rating, the right hazard level.

Shop arc flash clothing →Build your protection

“The gap between knowing arc flash is a hazard and knowing your actual incident energy levels is where injuries happen.”

Vailos, London data centre workshop

Awareness sessions

Arc flash awareness sessions for your whole team.

We have delivered arc flash awareness workshops at one of London's largest data centres, with electricians, EHS professionals and site management in the same room, working through real hazard levels on their site.

Sessions cover ATPV ratings, APC classifications, thermal boundary zones and correct PPE layering, and include a live demonstration of the PPE.

Ask about an awareness session →

“Very engaging — I certainly learnt a few things about arc flash and the standards of PPE. It's clear you're very passionate about what you do.”

EHS advisor, London data centre workshop

Why Vailos

We do not just advise. We equip.

A specialist arc flash advisory partner that also manufactures certified arc flash garments.

Proven on site

Arc flash awareness delivered at facilities across the UK, including major London data centres.

Manufacturer knowledge

We manufacture certified arc flash garments, so our PPE specifications are grounded in what protection actually means.

Right-sized protection

We specify protection matched to actual hazard levels, so the garments are ones your teams will wear.

Standards we know cold

EN 61482-1-2, EN ISO 11612, APC 1 and 2, ATPV and ELIM: we work with these daily.

Supply ready

Certified garments in UK stock with next-day delivery. Assessment to supply, with no waiting.

One partner

Risk assessment, PPE specification, labelling, training and garment supply, with no handoffs and no gaps.

Questions

Arc flash advisory FAQs.

Do I need an arc flash risk assessment?

UK law does not name arc flash, but employers must assess foreseeable risks under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, prevent danger from electrical systems under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and provide PPE that is suitable for the risk under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Where arc flash is a foreseeable hazard, an assessment gives you the incident energy for each task, which is the figure you need to choose the right garments. This is general information, not legal advice.

How much does an arc flash risk assessment cost in the UK?

The cost depends on the size and complexity of the site. A Vailos desktop arc flash review typically costs £3,800 to £4,400. A full on-site assessment typically costs £7,500 to £17,000 or more. We confirm a price after a no-obligation consultation.

What is the difference between a desktop review and a full site assessment?

A desktop review uses your existing electrical drawings and protection data to calculate incident energy per asset, without an on-site survey. A full site assessment adds an on-site survey, asset verification, switchgear inspection and a protection device review, and includes an on-site arc flash awareness session.

What do APC 1 and APC 2 mean?

APC 1 and APC 2 are box-test classes under EN 61482-1-2. The garment is tested against a constrained arc at 4 kA for APC 1 and 7 kA for APC 2. Your risk assessment sets the class and the cal/cm² rating you need.

Can you supply the garments you specify?

Yes. Vailos manufactures certified arc flash garments in APC 1 and APC 2, held in UK stock with next-day delivery, so a specification can go straight to an order.

Do you run arc flash awareness sessions?

Yes. We deliver awareness sessions for electricians, EHS professionals and site management, covering ATPV ratings, APC classifications, thermal boundary zones and correct PPE layering. One session is included with a full site assessment, and sessions can also be booked on their own.

Get in touch