How to Build a Condition-Based Maintenance Program Under NFPA 70B

NFPA 70B (2023) transformed electrical maintenance across the United States by shifting from recommended practices to mandatory standards. One of the most significant updates is the requirement for facilities to adopt Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) — a proactive approach that uses real-time diagnostics to assess the actual health of electrical equipment.

This means that organizations can no longer rely solely on time-based schedules or reactive repairs. Instead, they must use data-driven inspections, including infrared thermography, electrical testing, and non-destructive testing (NDT), to make informed maintenance decisions.

At Assured NDT, we help facilities nationwide build NFPA 70B–compliant CBM programs that reduce risk, enhance reliability, and improve safety. Below, we break down the essential steps for creating a compliant CBM program under the updated standard.

What Is Condition-Based Maintenance Under NFPA 70B?

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that uses measured equipment condition, rather than calendar-based intervals, to determine when maintenance should occur.

Under NFPA 70B, CBM requires:

• Regular diagnostic inspections

• Data collection and trend analysis

• Documentation of equipment condition

• Maintenance actions based on actual risk level

• Use of qualified personnel and calibrated tools

Common CBM technologies include:

• Infrared thermography (required annually)

• Ultrasonic testing

• Electrical testing

• Vibration analysis

• Transformer DGA testing

• Motor circuit analysis

NFPA 70B’s intention is clear: maintenance should be proactive, not reactive.

How to Build a Condition-Based Maintenance Program Under NFPA 70B

Below are the essential steps every facility must follow to establish a compliant CBM program.

1. Establish an Electrical Asset Inventory

NFPA 70B requires a complete listing of all electrical equipment, including:

• Panels and switchboards

• Transformers

• MCCs and drives

• Breakers and fuses

• Generators and ATS units

• UPS systems

• Motors

• Distribution equipment

Each asset must be categorized by criticality, condition, and maintenance requirements.

2. Define Equipment Criticality Levels

Criticality determines inspection frequency and urgency.

NFPA 70B recommends ranking equipment based on:

• Impact of failure

• Safety risk

• Downtime cost

• Redundancy

• Load importance

High-criticality assets require more frequent CBM inspections.

3. Implement Annual Infrared Thermography (Mandatory)

Infrared inspections are now required at least once per year for energized electrical systems.

IR thermography identifies:

• Loose connections

• Overheating conductors

• Imbalanced loads

• Insulation breakdown

• Failing breakers, drives, and transformers

Assured NDT provides NFPA 70B–compliant thermography with Delta-T analysis, severity ratings, and detailed reporting.

4. Add Supporting Diagnostic Tests

A complete CBM program includes multiple diagnostic technologies.

Electrical Testing

• Insulation resistance

• Ground testing

• Power quality analysis

• Breaker performance testing

Mechanical/NDT Testing

• Ultrasonic leak detection

• Vibration analysis

• Motor testing

• Transformer DGA

These tests provide deeper insight into asset health.

5. Create a Condition Evaluation Framework

NFPA 70B requires a scoring system to evaluate equipment condition and determine maintenance priority.

A typical framework includes:

• Normal – No action required

• Degraded – Maintenance recommended

• Serious – Immediate corrective action required

• Critical – Remove from service or repair immediately

Assured NDT reports include severity categories tailored to NFPA 70B compliance.

6. Document All Inspection Findings

Documentation is now mandatory.

Your CBM documentation should include:

• Inspection type and date

• Equipment evaluated

• Diagnostic tools used

• Thermal images or test results

• Severity ratings

• Recommended corrective actions

• Final disposition

This documentation is essential for audits, insurance, and compliance verification.

7. Trend Data Over Time

CBM is not a one-time activity — it requires tracking trends and comparing results year over year.

Trending helps facilities identify:

• Recurring failures

• Deteriorating conditions

• Emerging risks

• Seasonal or load-based behavior

This improves long-term planning and asset budgeting.

8. Train Personnel & Use Qualified Inspectors

NFPA 70B requires:

• Certified thermographers (Level II or higher)

• Qualified NDT technicians

• Trained electrical workers

• Documented competency

Assured NDT’s certified personnel ensure compliance and accurate data collection.

9. Integrate CBM into Maintenance Planning

Maintenance actions must now follow diagnostic findings — not assumptions.

This means:

• Scheduling repairs based on severity

• Using inspection data for budgeting

• Coordinating CBM with outage planning

• Prioritizing high-risk equipment

A compliant CBM program becomes the backbone of electrical reliability.

Why Partner With Assured NDT for NFPA 70B Compliance?

Assured NDT provides:

• Certified thermographers

• Nationwide NFPA 70B compliance support

• Electrical testing & diagnostics

• NDT services for mechanical and structural assets

• Detailed, audit-ready reporting

• Fast scheduling and minimal disruption

We help facility managers, engineers, and safety leaders transition smoothly to NFPA 70B’s new requirements.

Build a Compliant Condition-Based Maintenance Program Today

Assured NDT supports facilities across the U.S. with professional infrared thermography, electrical testing, NDT, and CBM program development.

📞 Schedule a consultation at assuredndt.com/contact

FAQs: How to Build a Condition-Based Maintenance Program Under NFPA 70B

1. What does NFPA 70B require for condition-based maintenance?

NFPA 70B requires annual electrical inspections, documented diagnostics, condition scoring, and maintenance actions based on actual equipment health.

2. Is infrared thermography mandatory under NFPA 70B?

Yes. Infrared thermography must be performed at least annually on energized electrical equipment.

3. What equipment needs to be included in a CBM program?

Panels, switchgear, transformers, MCCs, motors, drives, UPS systems, generators, and other critical electrical distribution components.

4. Who can perform NFPA 70B inspections?

Certified thermographers, qualified electrical professionals, and trained NDT technicians.

5. How often should CBM inspections occur?

Most facilities perform annual inspections, but high-criticality equipment may require more frequent diagnostics.