NFPA 70B Code Update

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established the NFPA 70®, NFPA 70B® and NFPA 70E® standards to ensure electrical equipment and systems remain safe and operate effectively. NFPA 70B focuses on electrical system maintenance, and it works in combination with NFPA 70 and 70E to ensure workplace and system safety. A 2023 update changed NFPA 70B codes from recommended practices to mandatory requirements.

Each electrical preventive maintenance program must adhere to NFPA 70B to ensure workplace safety and system longevity. Professional preventative maintenance services can help you remain compliant with mandatory codes.

What Is NFPA 70?

NFPA 70, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E work together to help companies maintain safe work environments:

• NFPA 70: NFPA 70 is the National Electric Code (NEC) and provides guidelines for proper electrical equipment installation.
• NFPA 70B: NFPA 70B is the Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, and it focuses on proper electrical maintenance procedures.
• NFPA 70E: NFPA 70E is the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and focuses on workplace safety.

The NFPA 70 protects individuals and properties from electrical hazards with best practices regarding the following: 

• Electrical design.
• Electrical equipment installation.
• Electrical equipment inspection.
• Maintenance.

NFPA 70B guides individuals in performing electrical equipment maintenance properly. This recommended practice outlines the correct way to work on equipment and perform maintenance safely. The NFPA first established the 70B standard in 1968.

NFPA 70B outlines preventative maintenance for electronic, electrical and communication equipment and systems in the following environments:

• Industrial facilities.
• Data Centers.
• Hospitals/Healthcare.
• Power Substations.
• Institutional properties.
• Commercial buildings.
• Large residential properties.

The requirements in NFPA 70B help companies keep their workers safe, reduce repair costs and prevent or reduce equipment downtime. OSHA references the NEC, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E to promote safety.

NFPA 70E works in conjunction with NFPA 70B to ensure maintenance practices remain safe. While following NFPA 70B standards, you will notice that it references safety requirements in NFPA 70E.

Is NFPA Mandatory?

NFPA 70B is mandatory following its most recent update. The 2023 NFPA 70B code update changed it from a recommended practice to a standard requirement. This update means you must follow NFPA 70B guidelines to remain in compliance with safety and maintenance standards. The NFPA changed recommendations to mandatory requirements throughout the document, and following these requirements is essential.

NFPA 70B Electrical Equipment Maintenance

NFPA 70B outlines required practices for electrical testing, inspections and maintenance. It provides detailed guidelines for specific electrical systems and equipment types, helping companies implement proper electrical preventive maintenance (EPM) practices and programs. NFPA 70B promotes workplace safety with the following information:

• Factors that make up a successful EPM program.
• Why an EPM program is essential.
• Financial benefits of implementing an EPM program.
• Proper electrical equipment maintenance methods.
• Safety measures.
• How to implement an effective EPM program.

NFPA 70B provides details about test methods, maintenance practices and power quality for specific components, such as:

• Switchgear.
• Distribution Panels.
• Disconnect Switches.
• Circuit Breakers.
• Transformers.
• UPS systems.
• Voltage breakers.
• Protective devices.

Because NFPA 70B is mandatory, electrical equipment owners are responsible for compliance and safety. Implementing a maintenance plan that follows NFPA 70B requirements allows facility owners and equipment operators to remain compliant and adhere to safety standards.

To comply with NFPA 70B, you must implement a maintenance plan that accomplishes the following:

• Identifies the individuals responsible for performing maintenance and maintaining safety.
• Identifies maintenance priorities and requirements through electrical equipment survey and analysis.
• Completes cleaning, lubrication, mechanical servicing, inspections and testing according to NFPA 70B guidelines.
• Outlines testing, inspections and servicing.
• Develops and documents proper EPM maintenance procedures for each piece of electrical equipment.
• Collects essential data and prescribes, implements and documents corrective actions based on the data.
• Implements a records-retention policy.
• Documents equipment, maintenance and personnel.
• Incorporates design in maintaining electrical installations.
• Reviews and revises failures to continuously improve processes.
• Ensures personnel perform maintenance at the required intervals and frequency.

A maintenance plan that complies with NFPA 70B includes important testing, preventative measures and corrective repair work to keep electrical systems in safe operation. An effective maintenance plan also includes proper documentation to track testing, cleaning, maintenance and repairs.

Hazard Prevention

Complying with NFPA 70, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E helps prevent dangers such as arc flash hazards. An arc flash can cause incident energy, exposing individuals to electrical currents. Performing an arc flash hazard analysis can help prevent an arc blast or an arc flash from occurring and provide the appropriate documentation/labeling required to make those in contact with the electrical infrastructure aware of any electrical hazards present.

NFPA 70B also outlines essential maintenance tasks and procedures, including cleaning requirements that prevent hazards. For example, the standard requires maintenance personnel to check equipment for discolorations and make repairs where necessary. Discolorations can indicate overheated elements, potentially leading to device tripping or failure. Requiring maintenance personnel to adhere to NFPA 70B guidelines prevents and reduces hazards like this.

NFPA 70B Training

Only trained individuals should perform electrical inspections and maintenance. You must train all employees who work on your electrical equipment to ensure they adhere to NFPA 70, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E standards.

Trained technicians help electrical equipment owners and operators maintain NFPA 70B compliance. Professional electricians have the knowledge and experience to inspect systems and equipment properly and perform preventive maintenance according to NFPA 70B requirements.

Trust Lippolis Electric to Help You Comply With NFPA 70 and NFPA 70B

Proper electrical system testing, inspection and maintenance is crucial for a safe workplace or residential property. NFPA 70, NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B outline essential installation and maintenance guidelines that help electrical equipment owners and operators maintain safety. 2023 updates changed NFPA 70B guidelines from recommendations to requirements, making them essential for maintenance programs.

Training your employees on NFPA standards or hiring a professional team to maintain your electrical equipment is crucial. Trusting licensed electricians and experienced engineering teams with your systems and equipment helps you comply with NFPA 70, NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E standards.

Lippolis Electric provides preventative maintenance services to help you maintain safety, prevent equipment downtime and ensure your systems operate effectively. Our staff has the experience and training to perform preventative maintenance in compliance with NFPA 70 and 70B codes.

We perform in-depth predictive and proactive maintenance, helping your equipment last longer and operate effectively. As a leader in predictive maintenance with over 35 years of experience, we can help you implement the best maintenance program that complies with mandatory codes. Contact us to learn more about our high-quality electrical maintenance services.