Ensuring Electrical Safety: The Role of NFPA 70B Compliant Maintenance Programs

,
Alex Gregor, PE
Electrical Engineering Practice Group Leader
May 31, 2024

Maintaining, testing, and training are important elements of a successful electrical safety program for any facility. Recent updates now mandate that these elements follow specific standards. As of 2023, NFPA 70B,The Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, has transitioned from a recommendation to an enforceable standard. This means that employers must implement an electrical maintenance program (EMP), which includes personnel training, equipment surveys and analysis, and system studies, such as short circuit and arc-flash studies.

Impact on Electrical Equipment Lifetime

Every EMP should be tailored to the specific conditions and age of the facility's electrical equipment. Various factors influence the service life expectancy of this equipment, including:

  • Electrical Stresses: Overloading, harmonics, overvoltage, surges, and arcing faults
  • Environmental Factors: Humidity, moisture damage, corrosion, and heat-related damage

With a favorable environment and regular maintenance, the typical service life of an electrical panel is estimated to be 30 to 40 years. However, outdated equipment is prone to faults and may suffer from parts unavailability. Obsolete components can cause significant downtime and production losses.

Importance of Preventative Maintenance

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, electrical distribution systems rank fourth in the leading causes of fires in homes and buildings, often due to improper maintenance. Notably, 77% of these failures could be mitigated through a preventative maintenance program. Even a minor electrical failure can result in at least six hours of interruption, leading to considerable financial loss.

Customizing Your EMP

ISG offers support to customize your EMP, ensuring it meets NFPA 70B and 70E standards. Our services include:

  • Personnel Training: Ensuring your team is well-trained according to the latest standards.
  • Electrical Assessments: Evaluating your facility's electrical distribution and equipment to identify potential hazards including short circuit and arc flash studies.
  • Capital Studies and Maintenance Planning: Perform a survey of existing equipment condition, estimate remaining service life, and advise required testing intervals.
  • Detailed Reports: Providing findings, equipment replacement schedules, and cost estimates for future planning and budgeting.

Safer, More Efficient Facilities

Electrical safety is essential for protecting your facility and maintaining productivity. By adhering to NFPA 70B standards and implementing a thorough EMP, you can mitigate risks, reduce downtime, and safeguard your investments. ISG can help you develop and maintain an effective EMP tailored to your facility's needs.

No items found.
More from
Alex Gregor, PE
Electrical Engineering Practice Group Leader

Related Articles

Elevating Play: ISG’s Innovative Approach to Multi-Purpose Athletic Field Design

The trend of multi-purpose athletic fields is rapidly growing in K-12 and community sports. This surge is driven by the escalating costs of construction and the increasing need for flexible fields that accommodate multiple sports and extend outdoor seasons.

Industry Insights

Boost Your High-Speed Internet Services: Five Steps to Prepare for Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Funding

Is your internet company seeking to expand its high-speed services through Fiber to the Home (FTTH) funding? With 21.3 million Americans—6.5 percent of the population—lacking access to broadband, expanding your services is more crucial than ever in closing the digital divide. While securing funding can be a game-changer, the process is considered by many to be daunting and complex.

Industry Insights

The Impact of A Public Works Water Professional

Picture this. You turn on the shower in the morning before work and nothing happens. No water. You flush the toilet—same thing. When you contact the City, you learn this is a community-wide issue. How does your City respond?

Industry Insights

Unlock the Power of Pre-Survey Construction Analysis

In the fast-paced world of telecommunications infrastructure, ISG has implemented an advantageous approach: pre-survey construction analysis. This method results in data-backed solutions that streamline projects while promoting safety and reliability for communities.

Industry Insights

Designing Safe + Sustainable River Access Points

As water-based recreation gains popularity, the demand for well-designed river access points rises. Whether for kayaking, boating, or canoeing, properly designed access points provide safe, convenient, and accessible water trail experiences. ISG’s Sports + Recreation team excels at creating solutions that blend functionality, sustainability, and beauty within the natural environment.

Industry Insights

The Tech Edge: Enhancing Healthcare Design with Precision Understanding and Speed

ISG’s applied technology team invests in state-of-the-art tools for several reasons, the most important: added value. With devices and services like drones, visualization, geographic information systems, 3D scanning, and virtual reality, our trained operators gather data efficiently, with precision detail. We exceed expectations to deliver accurate data, allowing for better decisions, faster—critical to healthcare environments of all scales. As the needs of health systems continuously evolve, ISG has uncovered how these tools create strategic solutions and increase operational efficiency.

Industry Insights