In our line of work, staying up-to-date with the latest safety standards isn’t just good practice; it’s a critical part of protecting your people, your equipment, and your bottom line. We’re talking about more than just keeping the lights on. We’re talking about preventing catastrophic failures, costly downtime, and serious safety hazards. That’s why we need to talk about NFPA 70B, and a recent, monumental change that could impact your facility sooner than you think.
For years, NFPA 70B was known as the “Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.” As the name implies, it was a set of voluntary guidelines for maintaining electrical systems in industrial and commercial settings. It was a useful tool, but not something that an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) would typically enforce. Businesses could choose to follow it, or they could risk it. That has all changed.
The Big Shift: From “Should” to “Shall”
In a game-changing move, the 2023 edition of NFPA 70B was reclassified from a “Recommended Practice” to a “Standard.” This may seem like a small, technical detail, but it has huge implications. The language within the standard has been updated to reflect this change, swapping the suggestive word “should” for the mandatory word “shall.” This makes a comprehensive electrical maintenance program not just a good idea, but a requirement.
This means that a company “shall” develop a documented electrical maintenance program. They “shall” conduct a condition assessment of their equipment. They “shall” perform maintenance at specific intervals. The days of putting off electrical maintenance until something breaks are officially over. This is a clear move by the National Fire Protection Association to make proactive electrical maintenance a foundational pillar of workplace safety, right alongside standards like NFPA 70E.
How NFPA 70B Could Become a Requirement in Arkansas
So, what does this mean for a facility right here in Arkansas? While NFPA 70B isn’t directly a law like the National Electrical Code (NEC), it is an industry-consensus standard. This means it can be adopted or referenced by local or state authorities, or even by a facility’s insurance carrier. Just as NFPA 70E is used by OSHA to enforce workplace safety, we can expect that AHJs, like local fire marshals, will begin using the newly mandatory language of NFPA 70B to require better maintenance practices from businesses.
It’s a matter of when, not if. As the electrical infrastructure across the country ages, and as electrical systems become more complex, the need for a mandatory standard for maintenance becomes a top priority. Getting ahead of this now is a smart business decision that will save you from potential fines, increased insurance premiums, and, most importantly, electrical failures.
How We Help You Achieve and Maintain Compliance
Coming into compliance with a new standard doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As your local industrial and commercial electricians, we specialize in helping businesses navigate these changes. We are a resource, a partner, and the experienced hands that can put your compliance plan into action.
Our process starts with a full-scale assessment of your electrical system. We’ll identify all your critical equipment and perform an initial “condition of maintenance” audit to see where you stand. This is the first step required by the standard, and it’s the foundation for everything else. We’ll work with you to develop a formal, documented electrical maintenance program tailored to your facility, meeting the specific requirements outlined in NFPA 70B.
This is where the real work begins. We’ll assist with a preventative maintenance program that includes everything from tightening connections and cleaning panels to more advanced testing. But compliance with NFPA 70B isn’t just about the old-school, scheduled preventative maintenance. The standard also fully endorses and recognizes the value of modern maintenance methods.
Modernize Your Maintenance
This is a key point: NFPA 70B allows for and encourages condition-based monitoring (CBM) and predictive maintenance. This means that instead of just following a calendar-based schedule, we can help you implement a smarter strategy. By installing equipment to monitor temperature, current, and other critical data points, we can perform maintenance exactly when it’s needed, satisfying the standard’s requirements while saving you money and reducing unnecessary downtime. (More about condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance here.)
When your monitoring system alerts you to a developing issue, whether it’s a hot spot in a panel or a motor showing signs of stress, our team is ready to respond. We’ll perform the actual maintenance, repairs, or part replacements, ensuring that your equipment is returned to a safe and compliant state. You get the benefits of an advanced, data-driven maintenance plan, and the assurance that an experienced team is on call to act on the information provided.
Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for any business, especially one that relies on its electrical systems to operate. As NFPA 70B gains traction, don’t wait for a failure, a citation, or an accident to force you into action. Whether it’s already a requirement or simply expected by your AHJ, our team has the expertise to get your facility compliant. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you meet the new NFPA 70B standard and protect your business here in Arkansas.
This blog post was created by Ag Electric Services, LLC, an Arkansas based electrical and general contractor serving the following areas of Central and Eastern Arkansas: McCrory, Augusta, Newport, Wynne, Brinkley, Des Arc, Forrest City, Hickory Ridge, Cherry Valley, Tuckerman, Jonesboro, Searcy, Pangburn, Heber Springs, Greers Ferry, Rosebud, Quitman, Romance, Kensett, Georgetown, Cabot, Beebe, El Paso, Hickory Plains, Carlisle, Lonoke, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Maumelle, Conway, Mayflower, Vilonia. If you would like more information about the services we provide, please click “Services” in the main menu, or contact us through the online information request form on the “Contact Us” page.