Education
NFPA 70B infrared thermography requirements
NFPA 70B became a standard in 2023. Here’s what that change means for electrical maintenance planning, where thermography fits, and what your facility team should review. Current published edition: NFPA 70B, 2026 edition. Applicability depends on the requirements governing the individual facility.
01 / The change
Electrical maintenance changed in 2023.
The change made NFPA 70B a standard with requirements for electrical equipment maintenance. It gives facility teams a reason to review how their maintenance program schedules and documents inspections.
Before 2023
Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
Published as maintenance recommendations.
2023 onward
Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
Published as a standard with requirements.
How those requirements apply depends on the facility and its governing requirements.
02 / Thermography intervals
Thermography intervals depend on equipment condition.
Infrared thermography is listed for all equipment, with the interval following the equipment condition assessment. Condition is assigned by the facility's electrical maintenance program, not by a thermal image.
NFPA 70B MAINTENANCE INTERVAL REFERENCE
Historical reference: The intervals shown below come from NFPA committee materials prepared during development of the 2023 edition. They are not presented here as verified requirements from the final 2026 edition. Facility inspection schedules should be based on the applicable published standard and facility-specific requirements.
| Equipment condition | Reference interval |
|---|---|
| Condition 1 | 12 months |
| Condition 2 | 12 months |
| Condition 3 | 6 months |
Source: NFPA committee report (opens nfpa.org in a new tab) for the 2023 development cycle. This reference does not establish the current edition’s requirements. Confirm the applicable edition, manufacturer guidance and facility maintenance program before setting an inspection schedule.
03 / Applicability
Does NFPA 70B require annual infrared inspections?
Not automatically.
Becoming a standard did not create the same legal inspection obligation for every commercial building. Confirm your facility’s obligations with the responsible professionals and authorities.
What can determine applicability?
- Adopted codes
- AHJ requirements
- Insurer requirements
- Contracts/company policy
- Facility electrical maintenance program
- Applicable NFPA edition
04 / Facility review
Five questions for your maintenance team.
Use these questions to start a discussion with the people responsible for your electrical maintenance program.
Is our electrical maintenance program documented and current?
How is equipment condition assessed and recorded?
What sets our inspection schedule: the applicable standard, manufacturer guidance and facility requirements?
Can we trace each finding through the report and corrective work?
Where would repair verification or a supplemental inspection help?
MAINTENANCE PLANNING
Where IID fits in your maintenance program.
John Sinkevicius performs commercial electrical thermography inspections and prepares clear reports for your facility team. IID documents thermal findings and can return for focused repair verification. Corrective electrical work is handled by your qualified repair provider.
Already have an infrared provider? Use IID for a second opinion, repair verification, a mid-cycle check or supplemental coverage.
Explore inspection services05 / Questions
Common questions about NFPA 70B.
Does an infrared inspection make a facility NFPA 70B compliant?
An infrared inspection is one part of a broader electrical maintenance program. IID provides inspection findings and reporting; a scan alone does not establish compliance with all applicable requirements.
Who determines the equipment condition category?
The assessment belongs within the facility’s electrical maintenance program, with input from the responsible qualified professionals. A thermal image alone is not the complete assessment.
Why are different inspection intervals shown?
The reference table distinguishes equipment condition categories. Use it with its stated source and edition; the appropriate schedule for your facility also needs to account for the applicable requirements and manufacturer guidance.
Which edition should our facility use?
NFPA has published a 2026 edition (opens in a new tab). Confirm which edition and other requirements govern your facility with the people responsible for your maintenance program and any relevant authority. The newest edition is not automatically the governing edition in every situation.
Can we use IID alongside our current infrared provider?
Yes. IID can provide second opinions, repair verification, mid-cycle checks and supplemental inspections without replacing your current provider.
06 / Official sources
Official NFPA references.
Use these references to explore the background and consult the applicable published standard.
- 2023 transition: NFPA’s explanationNFPA article on the move from recommended practice to standard · opens in a new tab
- NFPA development record supporting the thermography interval tablePDF, committee development material for the 2023 cycle — not the final standard · opens in a new tab
- NFPA 70B — 2026 editionPublished-edition listing; full text may require NFPA access. A newer edition does not automatically govern a given facility · opens in a new tab
- How NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E work togetherNFPA article, further reading · opens in a new tab
Plan your next electrical infrared inspection.
Talk with John about your facility, the equipment you want inspected and how IID can support your maintenance team.