NFPA 70B: What It Means for Thermographers in South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa

The Author:  Reynhard Heymans

As a young electrical engineer, he was introduced to Thermal Imaging Cameras in 1997.  Over the subsequent 28 years, his ardour for Condition Based Maintenance became evident through its diverse applications, encompassing electrical, mechanical, refractory, enterprise risk management, and more.

In 2016, he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration, strategically positioning himself for a transition into New Business Development. Throughout his career, he has maintained valuable partnerships with prominent Global OEM companies. Even after more than 28 years, Reynhard Heymans continues to be driven by a passion for pioneering tools and methodologies aimed at enhancing overall equipment effectiveness and reducing operational costs for his clients. 

NFPA 70B:  What It Means for Thermographers in South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa

10 October 2025

1.          Understanding NFPA 70B (2023 Edition)

The NFPA 70B Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance is an internationally recognised standard developed by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
As of 2023, NFPA 70B officially moved from being a “Recommended Practice” to a “Standard”, meaning its language has shifted from “should” to “shall” — carrying stronger intent and accountability for compliance.

The Standard defines the minimum electrical preventive maintenance (EPM) requirements for electrical, electronic, and communication systems across industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities. One of its central pillars is infrared thermographic inspection — a method vital to identifying early signs of electrical faults and preventing equipment failure or fire.

2.          Legal Standing of NFPA 70B in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa

Is NFPA 70B legally binding in South Africa?

No — NFPA 70B is not a legal requirement in South Africa or neighbouring Sub-Saharan countries.
South African electrical law is primarily governed by:

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), and
• The Electrical Installation Regulations and Electrical Machinery Regulations under that Act.

These regulations enforce compliance with South African National Standards (SANS), particularly SANS 10142-1, which is the national wiring code. None of these currently reference NFPA 70B as mandatory.

How NFPA 70B fits into the regional context

Even though it’s not law, NFPA 70B is widely adopted in South Africa and the region as a best practice framework, particularly by:

• Mining, petrochemical, utility, and heavy industrial sectors.
• Insurers and risk assessors, who frequently recommend or require NFPA 70B-aligned inspection programs.
• Multinational operations, where global parent companies standardise maintenance practices across facilities.

In summary

Adopting NFPA 70B strengthens compliance with the spirit of the OHSA by promoting safe, well-maintained equipment and often supports insurance and liability protection.

3.          Thermography-Specific Requirements Under NFPA 70B (2023)

Infrared thermography is now a mandatory part of preventive electrical maintenance under NFPA 70B.  Here are the key thermography-related clauses and what they mean in practice:

NFPA 70B Requirement	Description / What It Means for Thermographers
Annual Inspections	All electrical equipment must undergo infrared inspection at least once every 12 months.
More Frequent Inspections	Equipment in Physical Condition 3 (deteriorated, poor connections, recurring faults) must be inspected every 6 months or more often.
Condition Assessment	Every system must be classified by physical condition (1 = good, 3 = poor). This classification drives the inspection frequency.
Normal Load Operation	Thermal imaging must be performed under normal operating load conditions, since anomalies are visible only when current flows. Preferably at or above 40% of rated load.
Access and Visibility	Covers must be removed, unless IR windows are installed to provide a safe and unobstructed view of the components.
Qualified Personnel	Thermographic inspections must be performed by trained and qualified thermographers, using calibrated IR equipment appropriate for the task.
Documentation Requirements	Detailed reports, record keeping and traceability.
Follow-up and Corrective Actions	Findings must be acted upon. Repairs or maintenance should be verified with a follow-up inspection.

 

4.          Key Aspects Thermographers in Africa Must Take Seriously

a.          Inspection Frequency
Follow the NFPA 70B intervals — at least annually, and more often for deteriorating or critical equipment.

b.         Competency and Certification
Only certified thermographers should perform inspections. Qualification and certification of thermographers must be in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ANSI/ASNT CP-105, or ISO 18436-7.

Certification Level	Typical Qualification	What They Can Do	What They Cannot Do
Level I	Entry-level certified thermographer	Operate the thermal imager, capture images, recognize obvious anomalies, and report findings under supervision	Cannot independently interpret or approve reports; must work under Level II or III supervision
Level II	Intermediate certification	Perform thermographic analysis, interpret results, determine severity, prepare formal reports, and recommend corrective actions	Cannot establish company procedures or training programs
Level III	Advanced certification	Develop procedures, manage thermography programs, train and certify others, and audit compliance with NFPA/ISO standards	None (top authority within thermography discipline)

c.          Safety Protocols
Thermography mostly involves live electrical equipment. NFPA 70B references safe access, IR windows, and PPE requirements. Principles aligned with South Africa’s OHSA.

d.         Record Keeping and Traceability
Comprehensive records provide proof of due diligence. In case of fire, electrical failure, or audit, this documentation protects both thermographer and client.  It is then highly recommended for each report to include:

·         Date and time of inspection

·         Equipment identification

·         Equipment location

·         Thermal Imaging Camera model and calibration date

·         Emissivity settings

·         Reflected Apparent Temperature settings

·         Ambient conditions

·         Load levels (in % or Amperes)

·         Thermal Image

·         Visual images

·         DeltaT or ΔT (temperature differences)

·         Severity classification

·         Recommended corrective actions

e.          Risk-Based Prioritisation
Equipment must be prioritised based on criticality. High-risk equipment (switchgear, MCCs, transformers, etc.) requires more frequent monitoring.

f.            Corrective Follow-Through
Identifying hot-spots is not enough — there must be a process to correct and re-inspect, closing the loop for true preventive maintenance.

5.          NFPA 70B (2023) — Table 11.17.6.1

Severity Classification Table (from NFPA 70B 2023)
Severity Class	ΔT (Temperature Rise)	Typical Action Recommended
1 – Low Severity	1 °C to 10 °C above similar component	Monitor – schedule reinspection during next routine maintenance cycle.
2 – Intermediate Severity	11 °C to 20 °C above similar component	Plan repair – corrective action should be scheduled as soon as practical.
3 – Serious Severity	21 °C to 40 °C above similar component	Repair urgently – corrective action should be taken as soon as possible.
4 – Critical Severity	>40 °C above similar component	Immediate action – repair immediately or remove equipment from service.

 

6.          Why Adoption Is Recommended in South Africa and Beyond

Adopting NFPA 70B-aligned thermography practices brings clear advantages:

• Enhanced electrical safety and reduced risk of fire or equipment failure.
• Alignment with insurer expectations, supporting claims and risk reduction.
• Improved reliability and uptime across industrial and commercial facilities.
• Professional credibility — being NFPA 70B-aligned differentiates qualified thermographers and service providers.
• International compatibility — helps African industries integrate with global supply chains and safety systems.

7.          Conclusion

While NFPA 70B is not legally mandated in South Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa, it represents the international benchmark for electrical preventive maintenance — especially for thermography.

For thermographers, compliance with NFPA 70B demonstrates technical competence, commitment to safety, and alignment with global best practice.
Adopting its principles helps ensure:

• Safer workplaces,
• Longer equipment life, and
• Stronger legal and insurance protection.

In short — you’re not legally required to adopt NFPA 70B, but you can’t afford to ignore it.