NFPA 70B requires a documented, risk-based Electrical Maintenance Program. It’s not enough to do the maintenance — you have to prove it, record it, and manage it systematically. This checklist breaks down every major requirement so you can see exactly where your program stands.
Work through each section. Any item you can’t check off is a compliance gap — and a potential liability exposure if an insurer, OSHA inspector, or auditor comes looking.
Asset Inventory
NFPA 70B requires a complete inventory of every electrical asset in your facility. Not just major equipment — every breaker, transformer, panel, and critical connection. Asset tracking is the foundation everything else is built on.
☐ Complete list of all electrical equipment in the facility
☐ Each asset identified with nameplate data (manufacturer, model, serial, ratings)
☐ Each asset assigned a location within the power distribution system
☐ Inventory reflects current equipment (recent additions, removals, and replacements documented)
☐ Asset records accessible on demand for auditors and insurers
Equipment Condition Assessments
Every asset requires periodic condition assessments by a qualified person. The assessment evaluates multiple factors and assigns a rating — Condition 1 (good) through Nonserviceable — that drives the maintenance schedule. The worst-rated factor sets the overall rating.
☐ All assets have a documented current condition rating (Condition 1, 2, 3, or Nonserviceable)
☐ Assessments evaluate physical condition, electrical condition, operating environment, loading, and criticality
☐ Each assessment records the assessor identity and date
☐ Assessment records are retained and audit-ready
☐ Reassessments are triggered after maintenance activities and any electrical events
☐ Nonserviceable equipment has a documented immediate corrective action plan
Risk-Based Maintenance Intervals
Chapter 9 of NFPA 70B specifies maintenance intervals by device type and condition rating. Intervals are not fixed calendar schedules — they adjust based on condition. A higher-risk rating means more frequent maintenance.
☐ Each asset has a maintenance interval based on its device type and current condition rating
☐ Intervals are documented and tied to the NFPA 70B Chapter 9 requirements for each device type
☐ Intervals update automatically when condition ratings change
☐ Overdue maintenance tasks are tracked and escalated
☐ Condition 3 assets have shortened intervals and corrective action plans with defined timelines
System Studies (Chapter 6)
Chapter 6 of NFPA 70B requires system studies — short-circuit analysis, coordination studies, and arc flash incident energy analysis — on a maximum five-year cycle. Many facilities are overdue without knowing it.
☐ Current one-line diagram reflecting the actual state of the electrical system
☐ Short-circuit and coordination study completed within the last five years
☐ Arc flash incident energy analysis completed within the last five years
☐ Arc flash labels current and matching the most recent study
☐ Next study date documented and scheduled
Maintenance Records and Documentation
The documentation requirement is where most facilities fall short. NFPA 70B requires a complete audit trail — not just that maintenance happened, but what was found, what was done, and who did it.
☐ Every inspection documented with date, assessor identity, findings, and condition rating
☐ All maintenance activities logged against specific assets
☐ Deficiencies documented with corrective action plans and completion tracking
☐ Test results (insulation resistance, thermography, etc.) retained per asset
☐ Records producible on demand for insurers, OSHA, and AHJs
The Written Electrical Maintenance Program
All of the above must be consolidated into a written Electrical Maintenance Program document. This is the document an auditor or insurer asks for. It covers everything: the inventory, the assessment methodology, the intervals, the procedures, and the records.
☐ Written EMP document exists and is current
☐ EMP reflects current asset inventory and condition ratings
☐ EMP includes inspection procedures for each equipment type
☐ EMP is accessible on demand without manual assembly
☐ EMP identifies the responsible personnel for the program
Gimba Checks Every Box Automatically
Every item on this checklist is built into Gimba’s workflow. Asset inventory, condition assessments, risk-based scheduling, documentation, and one-click EMP generation. Most facilities complete the entire checklist the same day they onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must an NFPA 70B compliance checklist include?
A complete NFPA 70B compliance checklist must cover: a documented asset inventory, condition assessments for each asset, risk-based maintenance intervals by device type, inspection and testing procedures, a written Electrical Maintenance Program, and complete maintenance records with corrective action documentation.
How often should the checklist be reviewed?
Your EMP and records should be reviewed at least annually and updated any time equipment changes. Condition ratings should be reassessed after each maintenance activity and after any electrical event affecting the equipment.
Can a spreadsheet satisfy NFPA 70B compliance requirements?
A spreadsheet can capture some data but creates serious gaps in practice. It won’t automatically adjust intervals for condition changes, won’t generate a compliant EMP document, and creates a fragile audit trail. Purpose-built NFPA 70B software handles all of this reliably.
What is the most common NFPA 70B compliance gap?
Missing or incomplete condition assessment records. Facilities often perform maintenance but fail to document the condition evaluation behind it. Without those records, the program can’t demonstrate the risk-based approach NFPA 70B requires.
Related reading: What Is NFPA 70B? | What an EMP Requires | Maintenance Intervals | Condition Assessment Guide | NFPA 70B Software | Consequences of Non-Compliance
