NFPA 70B 2023 Edition now the approved ANSI Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
In 1968 the NFPA 70B was established as a recommended practice for maintaining electrical equipment. Industry had suffered high levels of damages due to equipment failures attributable to the lack of regularly scheduled and appropriate preventative maintenance. Increasing importance of equipment reliability and safe operation motivated NFPA to develop best maintenance practices. Many manufacturers and insurance companies acknowledge the high risks behind the lack of maintenance and as such limit warranties and claims often exposing industry to large financial and legal damages that can cripple or even end businesses, livelihoods, and lives. Through the years NFPA 70B has revised their recommendations to keep up with changing industry needs, evolving technologies, and better practices.
In 2023 NFPA 70B went from “recommendations” to a “standard” that is now approved by ANSI (American National Standard Institute). This is of vital importance as industry moves forward when they must now consider facilities meeting a minimum standard of care as part of any potential future purchase/sale/transfer agreements, part of budget planning for expansions or modifications, establishing written preventative maintenance plans and schedules, and associated cost increases to maintain such facilities. This standard also demonstrates by case studies that neglect of proper commissioning and regular preventative maintenance actually has a much higher cost than regularly scheduled preventative maintenance. Additionally, it is important to understand that the cost of preventative maintenance can sometimes exceed the value of the equipment itself but it is also simply a necessary operation cost to maintain the high reliability and safety requirements that is expected in any industry.
Finally, this standard states a requirement to develop, maintain, and execute an Electrical Maintenance Plan (EMP) complying with appropriate codes and standards and suited for the equipment and its application. This requirement comes with all of the associated responsibilities of assigning qualified personnel to execute the EMP, regular reviews and updates of the EMP, maintaining records of test reports, scheduling maintenance, and regular training.
Contact us today for further information. Specialty Engineering stands ready to help with development of an EMP that will serve you best.