What Is NFPA 70B? A Practical Guide for Facility Managers

Electrical systems are the lifeline of your building, powering production, comfort, and safety—and they often go unnoticed until something fails. However, maintaining these systems proactively isn’t just a best practice anymore; it’s a compliance issue. This guide breaks down what facility managers need to know about NFPA 70B, how it ties to electrical preventive maintenance, the updates that matter most, and practical steps to achieve compliance.

NFPA 70B Explained

NFPA 70B, formally known as NFPA 70B: Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, is published by the National Fire Protection Association. It provides a framework for how electrical systems and components should be maintained to prevent failure, improve safety, and minimize downtime.

Before 2023, NFPA 70B was a recommended practice, meaning its guidelines were suggestions. The 2023 edition changed that status to a standard, making its provisions enforceable by safety inspectors, insurance auditors, and local code officials. That change gives NFPA 70B requirements more weight than ever.

NFPA 70B works alongside two other well-known NFPA codes:

NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC), which governs safe electrical design and installation.
NFPA 70E, which sets standards for electrical safety in the workplace, focusing on protecting workers from arc flash and shock hazards.

Together, these three standards create a full circle of electrical compliance. NFPA 70 governs installation, NFPA 70E governs work practices, and NFPA 70B governs ongoing electrical system maintenance.

Why Electrical Preventive Maintenance Matters

Electrical equipment naturally deteriorates with age, heat, vibration, and environmental conditions. Without a structured electrical preventive maintenance program, issues like loose connections, insulation breakdown, and corrosion often go unnoticed until failure occurs.

NFPA 70B gives facility managers a roadmap for prevention. It promotes a shift from reactive repairs to condition-based strategies that identify and correct problems before they become costly outages. A compliant maintenance program not only extends equipment life but also enhances safety, improves power quality, and helps meet insurance or regulatory expectations.

A well-executed program under NFPA 70B also means:

Reduced unplanned downtime and maintenance costs
Improved worker and equipment safety
Documented maintenance records for audits and inspections
A higher level of confidence during safety evaluations or insurance renewals

In other words, implementing NFPA 70B isn’t just about following rules, it’s about protecting people, productivity, and the bottom line.

What’s New in NFPA 70B 2023

The 2023 edition introduced several updates that change how facility managers must think about maintenance. Here’s what’s most important:

It’s Now an Enforceable Standard

The biggest change is that NFPA 70B has transitioned from “recommended” to mandatory. Where earlier editions used the word should, the new version uses shall, creating enforceable expectations for how maintenance is performed, documented, and reviewed.

Documented Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)

Every facility covered under NFPA 70B must now establish a formal Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP). This program outlines responsibilities, maintenance schedules, testing procedures, recordkeeping, and periodic reviews. Documentation is required for proving compliance during audits or inspections.

Condition-Based Maintenance

The standard now emphasizes a condition-based approach instead of fixed schedules. Equipment is categorized by both criticality and condition (Condition 1–3), with maintenance intervals adjusted accordingly. Tools like thermography, vibration analysis, and oil sampling are now encouraged as part of predictive monitoring.

Integration With NFPA 70E

NFPA 70B aligns closely with NFPA 70E, reinforcing the link between maintenance and safety. Proper maintenance directly reduces the likelihood of electrical hazards, which is an essential point for safety officers and facility leaders responsible for compliance.

Recordkeeping and Auditing

Facilities must maintain thorough records for all electrical maintenance activities, inspections, and test results. The standard also calls for periodic review and improvement of the EMP to ensure continuous alignment with NFPA 70B requirements.

Implementing NFPA 70B in Your Facility

Transitioning to a compliant program doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The following steps can help facility managers create a structured, defensible plan that satisfies NFPA requirements and improves system reliability.

Appoint an EMP Coordinator. Designate a qualified person responsible for implementing and overseeing your Electrical Maintenance Program. This individual will coordinate with technicians, safety officers, and contractors.
Assess Current Equipment and Conditions. Conduct a thorough condition assessment of all electrical assets. Identify aging, mission-critical, or high-risk components, and document their operational status.
Classify Equipment by Criticality and Condition. Using NFPA 70B’s framework, categorize each system as Condition 1 (good), Condition 2 (degraded), or Condition 3 (poor). This classification drives maintenance frequency and testing priorities.
Develop Maintenance Schedules and Procedures. Create detailed maintenance plans for inspections, cleaning, testing, and calibration. Incorporate predictive methods like infrared scanning or partial discharge testing where appropriate.
Document Everything. Maintain a central record system to store test results, inspection forms, and repair histories. NFPA 70B places heavy emphasis on documentation—if it isn’t recorded, it didn’t happen.
Review and Audit Regularly. Schedule periodic audits of your EMP. These reviews not only satisfy inspectors but also help you refine your maintenance strategy for long-term effectiveness.

Proactive maintenance starts with having the right partner. Learn more about CTI Electric’s customized electrical preventative maintenance services.

Our Preventive Maintenance Solutions

How a Qualified Electrical Contractor Helps You Stay Compliant

Even the best internal maintenance team can benefit from the support of a certified electrical contractor. These professionals bring specialized tools, training, and testing capabilities that most in-house teams lack, ensuring your maintenance activities truly meet NFPA 70B expectations.

A qualified contractor can help by:

Performing infrared thermography, ultrasonic testing, and insulation resistance checks per NFPA 70B tables
Conducting system assessments to identify compliance gaps
Developing or updating your written Electrical Maintenance Program
Training internal staff on safe work practices and documentation requirements
Providing third-party validation for insurance or AHJ inspections

When choosing a contractor, look for one certified in electrical safety and preventive maintenance with documented experience in electrical system maintenance programs. The right partner will not only execute tasks but also help you strategize for reliability and compliance.

Common Missteps Facility Managers Should Avoid

Transitioning to compliance under NFPA 70B can reveal a few common oversights that undermine even the best intentions. Understanding these pitfalls helps ensure your EMP stays on track:

Assuming routine maintenance equals compliance. Many facilities already perform basic maintenance but lack documentation and formal program structure, which are requirements under the new standard.
Ignoring predictive maintenance tools. Infrared and vibration monitoring can detect issues invisible to the naked eye, yet they’re often underused.
Failing to audit or review programs. Regular audits are necessary to demonstrate compliance and continuous improvement.
Not training maintenance personnel. Qualified staff are essential; NFPA 70B requires that maintenance be performed by trained individuals with verified competency.

Avoiding these mistakes can make the difference between a compliant, efficient operation and one exposed to unnecessary risk.

The Broader Impact: Compliance, Safety, and Reliability

Complying with NFPA 70B isn’t just about satisfying an inspector. It’s about embedding reliability and safety into your organization’s culture. A structured, documented electrical preventive maintenance program helps:

Reduce electrical fires and arc-flash risks
Lower maintenance costs through planned work
Increase uptime and production reliability
Demonstrate due diligence during insurance or OSHA audits

With the 2023 standard now enforceable, electrical compliance becomes a business necessity. Facility managers who act now position their operations for safer, smoother performance well into the future.

Partner for NFPA 70B Compliance With CTI Electric

If your facility’s maintenance program isn’t yet aligned with NFPA 70B, now is the time to act. As a certified electrical contractor experienced in electrical preventive maintenance and electrical system maintenance, CTI Electric partners with facility managers to assess current programs, identify compliance gaps, and implement solutions that meet the latest NFPA requirements.

Ready to modernize your maintenance program? Contact the team at CTI Electric to get started.