White Paper: The Case for Electrical Maintenance Programs in Healthcare
- Stephen Fike
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
A Strategic Guide for Safety, Compliance, and Operational Continuity by Assured NDT
Why Electrical Maintenance Programs Matters More Than Ever in Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, electrical reliability is more than a technical concern—it’s a matter of patient safety, uninterrupted care, and regulatory compliance.
According to IEEE, electrical equipment is three times more likely to fail without a proactive maintenance program in place. In hospitals and healthcare campuses—where power supports everything from life support systems to refrigeration of medication—electrical failure isn’t just costly, it’s potentially catastrophic.
What’s Changed: NFPA 70B and the New Standard for Electrical Safety
With the 2023 revision of NFPA 70B, electrical system maintenance is now a
mandatory standard rather than a best practice. Healthcare facilities are expected to develop and implement a formal Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) to comply with both NFPA 70B and NFPA 99.
These frameworks are designed to:
Protect people and property from electrical malfunction or fire
Extend the life of equipment
Prevent business interruptions
Ensure compliance with OSHA, Joint Commission, and insurer expectations
Healthcare systems should anticipate broader enforcement of these
standards by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), insurers, and accrediting bodies.Many healthcare facilities operate with aging infrastructure and limited maintenance windows making them vulnerable to:
Overloaded circuits
Faulty connections
Transformer failures
Arcing and overheating
These invisible risks often lead to the most severe property damage and
business interruption events. In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that electrical malfunction is the leading cause of large hospital fires.
The Hidden Risks in Healthcare Electrical Systems
An Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) is a structured, data-driven process designed to detect early signs of equipment deterioration before failure occurs. A well-designed EMP doesn’t just check boxes—it aligns compliance, safety, and operational efficiency.
Core Elements of an EMP:
Comprehensive equipment inventory and risk-based prioritization
Documented inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures
Defined intervals based on manufacturer guidance or NFPA 70B tables
Clear assignment of responsible personnel and contractors
Maintenance records and revision tracking
Trending analysis and decision logic for extending/reducing intervals
Alignment with local AHJ and accreditation requirements
What Is an EMP and Why It Works
While initial inspection intervals are set using NFPA 70B or NFPA 99 guidelines, future frequency is driven by condition assessments and maintenance results.
If two consecutive maintenance cycles show no anomalies → intervals may be extended.
If a failure occurs → inspection frequency is increased and documented.
EMPs must be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the evolving
environment and risk tolerance. This strategy aligns well with healthcare systems seeking reliability without unnecessary disruption.
Assured NDT: Your Partner in EMP Execution & Compliance
At Assured NDT, we help healthcare clients design and implement Electrical
Maintenance Programs that meet the latest NFPA standards—and go beyond
them to deliver real operational value.
We provide:
Infrared thermography inspections on energized systems
Arc flash hazard studies and mitigation planning
Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) for transformer condition monitoring
Audit-ready reports and compliance documentation
Support interpreting and applying NFPA 70B in AHJ-reviewed environments
We work alongside your engineers, maintenance leads, and risk management
teams to build tailored EMPs that align with your budget, facility risk profile, and
system criticality.
Download the full White Paper here:
