NFPA 70B Just Changed — Here’s What It Means for Your Building’s Insurance and Risk Exposure
If your commercial property hasn’t had an electrical maintenance assessment in the last few years, a 2023 change to a national fire code standard may affect your insurance renewal, your liability exposure, and your risk of unplanned downtime.
What Actually Changed
NFPA 70B, the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, was rewritten in 2023 so that key language shifted from “should” to “shall.” That single word change moves electrical maintenance from a suggested best practice to an expected standard of care. NFPA 70B isn’t a law on its own, but insurance carriers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and risk managers are increasingly treating documented maintenance as part of what a responsibly run building looks like.
Why This Matters
Some insurance carriers now ask for maintenance documentation during underwriting or renewal, and a lack of records can complicate a claim after an electrical loss. Maintenance history can also become important evidence of responsible ownership if an incident occurs. Beyond insurance, electrical equipment typically shows warning signs, like heat, corrosion, and loose connections, long before it fails, and routine inspection catches those problems while they’re still inexpensive to fix. Planned maintenance is consistently cheaper than emergency repair, equipment replacement, or the cost of business interruption.
What a 70B-Aligned Maintenance Program Typically Includes
A documented program generally covers a full equipment assessment, an inventory prioritized by criticality, infrared thermographic scanning, testing of switchgear and related equipment, a recurring maintenance schedule, and written reports after every visit.
Where to Start
If you’re not sure how your building stacks up, the simplest first step is a walkthrough, not a proposal. We put together a full breakdown of what 70B compliance looks like in practice, including sample maintenance tiers, on our NFPA 70B Electrical Maintenance page.
Get a Complimentary Electrical Maintenance Walkthrough
Nexus Electrical Group specializes exclusively in commercial electrical service, maintenance, and testing throughout the Portland Metro area. Our team will walk your building, look at your panels and switchgear, and tell you plainly whether a documented maintenance plan makes sense for your property, no pressure and no obligation.
Call (971) 410-7073 or schedule your complimentary walkthrough online to get started.
Want to read the standard yourself? The full text of NFPA 70B is available directly from NFPA’s official site.
This post is for informational purposes only and isn’t legal, insurance, or regulatory advice. Talk to your insurance carrier and local authorities about requirements specific to your building.