What is NFPA 70E and 70B, and why it matters to you and your business

This document outlines the electrical safety and maintenance requirements that customers must meet to comply with NFPA 70E (electrical safety in the workplace) and NFPA 70B (recommended maintenance practices for electrical equipment). Proper electrical safety and maintenance measures protect personnel, equipment, and property from hazards such as arc flash incidents, shock hazards, and fire risks. The Electrical Company LLC is committed to ensuring that all customer facilities meet or exceed these standards before, during, and after any electrical work.

What is NFPA?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a globally recognized organization dedicated to developing and promoting standards that enhance safety in electrical, fire, and building systems. The NFPA has established standards like NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B, which are essential for ensuring electrical safety in workplaces and maintaining electrical equipment to prevent failures and hazards. These standards are widely adopted across industries and serve as a benchmark for compliance with OSHA and other regulatory agencies.

• NFPA 70E – Electrical Safety in the Workplace: Focuses on protecting workers from electrical hazards like arc flash, shock, and electrocution. It establishes safety requirements, training mandates, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.

• NFPA 70B – Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance: Provides guidelines on maintaining electrical systems to improve reliability, reduce failures, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Regular maintenance prevents costly downtime and enhances safety.

By following these standards, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of electrical incidents while ensuring their electrical systems are safe, efficient, and compliant.

1. General Electrical Safety Requirements

• All electrical systems must be properly maintained to prevent hazards related to aging infrastructure, exposed wiring, and loose connections.

• Electrical panels, switchgear, and enclosures must be easily accessible and free from obstructions.

• Work areas near electrical equipment must be adequately illuminated to facilitate safe operations.

• No unauthorized personnel should have access to restricted electrical areas without proper training and authorization.

2. Arc Flash & Shock Hazard Protection

• Customers must ensure that all electrical equipment is labeled with arc flash warning labels indicating:

  • Incident energy level (cal/cm²)

  • Required PPE category

  • Arc flash boundary distance

  • Available fault current and clearing time

• Arc flash studies must be conducted and updated every five years or after any major system modifications.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements must be clearly communicated to all workers interacting with electrical systems.

• Any energized work must follow strict NFPA 70E procedures, including obtaining an Energized Work Permit when necessary.

3. Fault Current & Coordination Studies

• Fault current analysis must be performed to determine short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) for all electrical components.

• Proper overcurrent protection must be implemented to prevent cascading failures and excessive damage.

• Customers must maintain up-to-date one-line diagrams to reflect accurate system configurations for coordination studies.

• Protective devices (circuit breakers, fuses, relays) must be coordinated to ensure proper fault clearing and minimize downtime.

4. Equipment Labeling & Signage

• Electrical hazard labels must be installed on all panels, switchgear, and equipment per NFPA 70E and OSHA standards.

• Labels must include:

  • Voltage rating

  • Shock hazard warning

  • Arc flash boundary details

  • PPE category requirements

• Emergency disconnects and shutoff points must be clearly marked and accessible.

• Restricted areas must have warning signs stating: "Authorized Personnel Only."

5. Electrical Barriers & Physical Protections

• Electrical panels, transformers, and switchgear must be properly enclosed to prevent accidental contact.

• Guardrails, barriers, and locked enclosures must be installed where electrical hazards are present.

• Work areas where arc flash risks exist must have adequate protective barriers to minimize exposure.

• Grounding and bonding systems must be verified to ensure compliance with NFPA 70E and NEC grounding requirements.

6. Preventive Maintenance & Inspection Intervals (NFPA 70B)

To ensure electrical system reliability and compliance with NFPA 70B, customers must adhere to the following maintenance schedules:

6.1 Electrical Equipment Maintenance Intervals

• Transformers:

  • Infrared thermography: Annually

  • Insulation resistance testing: Every 3-5 years

  • Fluid analysis (if oil-filled): Annually

• Circuit Breakers & Switchgear:

  • Visual inspection: Annually

  • Contact resistance testing: Every 3-5 years

  • Insulation resistance testing: Every 3-5 years

  • Cleaning and lubrication: As needed

• Electrical Panels & Distribution Boards:

  • Thermal imaging scan: Annually

  • Torque check on connections: Annually

  • Dust and debris removal: Quarterly

• Grounding Systems:

  • Ground resistance testing: Annually

  • Inspection for corrosion and loose connections: Annually

• Motors & Control Panels:

  • Vibration analysis: Quarterly

  • Insulation resistance testing: Annually

  • Bearing lubrication: As per manufacturer recommendations

6.2 Maintenance Practices & Methods

• Infrared Thermography: Used to detect overheating, loose connections, and faulty components before failure.

• Ultrasonic Testing: Used to identify corona discharge, tracking, and insulation breakdown.

• Torque and Connection Tightening: Ensuring all terminals and bus connections meet manufacturer specifications.

• Load Monitoring: Evaluating electrical loads to prevent overloading and phase imbalance.

• Protective Device Testing: Testing circuit breakers, relays, and fuses to verify proper operation and response time.

• Oil & Fluid Analysis: Checking for contaminants and dielectric strength in transformers and breakers.

• Cleaning & Lubrication: Keeping electrical contacts, switches, and motors in optimal condition.

Customer Responsibility & Next Steps

The Electrical Company LLC will assess compliance with these safety measures before beginning any electrical work. Customers who do not meet these standards may be required to make corrections before services can be performed. Our team is available to assist in conducting arc flash studies, system labeling, and compliance assessments to help bring your facility up to standard.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at:

📞 Phone: 412-722-6961📧 Email: ryanw@theelectricalcompanyllc.com🌐 Website: www.theelectricalcompanyllc.com