NFPA 70B 2023 Update: Annual Infrared Thermography Inspections Now Required

NFPA 70B 2023: A New Era for Electrical Preventive Maintenance

For decades, NFPA 70B – Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance has served as the gold standard for electrical safety. But in 2023, the National Fire Protection Association made a critical change that directly impacts every U.S. facility with electrical infrastructure:

Infrared thermography is no longer “recommended” — it is now required.

This update marks a pivotal shift in how organizations must approach electrical preventive maintenance (EPM). The goal? To prevent equipment failures, fires, and worker injuries through proactive, data-driven inspections.

At Assured NDT, we help industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities nationwide interpret and implement these new NFPA 70B requirements — keeping you compliant, safe, and audit-ready.

What Changed in NFPA 70B 2023?

The 2023 revision of NFPA 70B introduced a mandatory, condition-based maintenance framework, elevating thermography to a compliance requirement rather than a best practice.

Here’s what’s new:

1. Thermal Imaging: From Recommended to Required

Every facility must now perform annual infrared thermography inspections on electrical equipment operating under load.

Infrared scans detect heat anomalies caused by loose connections, corrosion, or overload — issues invisible to the naked eye but capable of triggering failures or fires.

2. Detailed Inspection Procedures

NFPA 70B now specifies how thermographic inspections must be conducted, including:

• Calibration traceable to recognized standards

• Defined testing distances and camera resolutions

• Documentation of ΔT (temperature differential) for each component

These parameters ensure inspections are consistent, measurable, and defensible during audits.

3. Condition-Based Assessments

Facilities must trend thermal data year over year to identify deterioration and predict failures before they occur.

This condition-based approach transforms maintenance from reactive to proactive — improving uptime and reducing unplanned outages.

4. Qualified Personnel Required

Only trained and certified thermographers are permitted to perform infrared inspections under NFPA 70B.

Qualified personnel must:

• Operate high-resolution IR cameras

• Follow standardized inspection protocols

• Accurately document findings and ΔT values

5. Documentation and Reporting

All results must be measured, evaluated, and recorded for each piece of equipment.

Reports should include:

• Thermal and visual images

• Equipment identifiers

• Temperature differentials (ΔT)

• Risk categorization (critical, serious, or minor)

• Recommended corrective actions

These records are crucial for demonstrating compliance to insurers, auditors, and regulators.

Why This Matters for U.S. Businesses

The NFPA 70B standard is now recognized as the minimum consensus requirement for electrical preventive maintenance across:

• Manufacturing plants

• Commercial buildings

• Healthcare facilities

• Large residential complexes

Failing to comply can result in:

• Insurance claim denials

• OSHA citations for unsafe work conditions

• Increased risk of arc flash, fires, and costly equipment failure

By aligning with the 2023 update, organizations not only meet legal and insurance standards — they also reduce downtime and improve operational reliability.

Assured NDT: Your Partner in NFPA 70B Compliance

As a national provider of infrared thermography and predictive maintenance services, Assured NDT helps clients translate the NFPA 70B standard into actionable, audit-ready programs.

We provide: Certified Thermographers with decades of field experience High-resolution IR imaging using calibrated equipment Comprehensive trend reports with quantified ΔT data NFPA 70B compliance documentation Follow-up inspections and risk-based re-evaluations. Our process not only ensures compliance — it delivers measurable reliability and peace of mind.

The Bottom Line: Compliance Is No Longer Optional

Electrical reliability isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. The NFPA 70B 2023 update reinforces that annual infrared thermography inspections are now required, not suggested.

By adopting these practices now, your organization can:

• Prevent costly electrical failures

• Stay compliant with national safety standards

• Strengthen insurance and audit readiness

• Protect people, property, and productivity

Don’t wait until an outage or audit forces change.Take control of compliance today with Assured NDT. Contact Assured NDT today to schedule your NFPA 70B-compliant infrared inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions About NFPA 70B Thermography Requirements

1. What does the NFPA 70B 2023 update require?

The 2023 NFPA 70B update requires annual infrared thermography inspections for electrical equipment under load, performed by qualified personnel using calibrated IR cameras.

2. Why did NFPA make thermography mandatory?

Infrared thermography has proven to be the most effective tool for detecting early-stage electrical faults. Making it mandatory ensures a proactive approach to electrical safety, reducing fires, failures, and downtime.

3. Who can perform NFPA 70B thermography inspections?

Only qualified thermographers trained in IR imaging techniques and safety protocols can perform inspections under NFPA 70B.

4. What equipment must be inspected annually?

All energized electrical equipment — such as switchgear, panels, transformers, breakers, and MCCs — must be inspected at least once per year or as part of a condition-based maintenance schedule.

5. How should inspection results be documented?

Results must include thermal images, temperature differences (ΔT), equipment IDs, severity classifications, and corrective action recommendations.

6. How can AssuredNDT help with NFPA 70B compliance?

Assured NDT provides turnkey infrared thermography programs — including qualified personnel, calibrated IR imaging, and NFPA 70B-compliant documentation — ensuring your facility meets or exceeds all requirements.

Contact Assured NDT for your NFPA 70B thermography inspection.