NFPA 70B: Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance

NFPA 70B:  Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
The Mandatory Standard for Equipment Safety and Reliability

Purpose:
The transition of NFPA 70B from a “Recommended Practice” to an enforceable “Standard” in 2023 marked a major shift in electrical safety compliance. This course provides a deep dive into the requirements, best practices, and implementation strategies for creating and maintaining a documented Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP).

Key Takeaways:
Participants will learn how to apply condition-based maintenance intervals, conduct mandatory infrared inspections, and ensure system studies are updated every five years. The course also covers personnel qualification requirements and how NFPA 70B integrates with NFPA 70 (NEC) and NFPA 70E to create a comprehensive “Cycle of Safety.”

Who Will Benefit:
This training is essential for electrical engineers, maintenance managers, safety professionals, facility managers, and anyone responsible for electrical system reliability and compliance. Whether you manage industrial plants, commercial buildings, or multi-family properties, this course ensures you stay ahead of regulatory expectations.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and scope of NFPA 70B and its relationship to NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E.
• Identify mandatory requirements for Electrical Maintenance Programs (EMP).
• Develop condition-based maintenance schedules based on equipment criticality and environment.
• Implement annual infrared thermography inspections for electrical equipment.
• Review and update electrical system studies, including single-line diagrams and incident energy analyses.
• Define qualifications for “qualified persons” and outline required training.
• Apply compliance strategies to reduce OSHA citation risks under the General Duty Clause.
• Integrate NFPA 70B practices into a broader electrical safety management system.

• Interactive lecture with real-world case studies
• Group discussion on EMP development challenges
• Creating a condition-based maintenance schedule
• Knowledge check reviews and scenario-based problem solving

Module 1: Introduction to NFPA 70B

• History and evolution of NFPA 70B
• Transition from “Recommended Practice” to “Standard”
• Role in the electrical safety ecosystem
• Key compliance drivers

Module 2: Understanding the Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)

• EMP structure and documentation requirements
• Integration with facility safety programs
• Common pitfalls in EMP implementation
• Benefits of a proactive maintenance approach

Module 3: Condition-Based Maintenance

• Factors influencing maintenance intervals
• Equipment criticality and risk assessment
• Environmental considerations
• Tools for condition monitoring

Module 4: Mandatory Infrared Thermography

• Purpose and benefits of thermal inspections
• Annual inspection requirements
• Interpreting thermographic data
• Corrective actions based on findings

Module 5: Electrical System Studies

• Importance of accurate single-line diagrams
• Incident energy analysis and arc flash studies
• Five-year review cycle
• Documentation and recordkeeping best practices

Module 6: Personnel Qualification and Training

• Definition of “qualified person”
• Required skills and safety training
• Competency verification methods
• Building a training roadmap

Module 7: Compliance and Enforcement

• OSHA’s use of NFPA 70B under the General Duty Clause
• Common citation scenarios
• Strategies for compliance audits
• Legal and financial implications of non-compliance

Module 8: The Cycle of Safety

• NFPA 70, 70E, and 70B integration
• Creating a holistic electrical safety program
• Continuous improvement strategies
• Leveraging technology for compliance

• Electrical engineers and technicians
• Maintenance managers and supervisors
• Safety and compliance officers
• Facility managers
• Reliability engineers
• Contractors responsible for electrical systems

• Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) – Live online sessions
• Private Group Training – Customized for your facility