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Help be sure installed electrical equipment evaluations are in compliance by referencing NFPA 790 requirements.

Installed electrical equipment not previously certified, listed, recognized, or classified undergoes a field evaluation to help ensure electrical safety. NFPA 790, Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies, provides qualifications and competencies for third parties performing field evaluations and specifies how they are to be completed.

Used in conjunction with NFPA 791, Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation, the standard is based on ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17065 with adaptations to accommodate for the particular attributes of field evaluation. Provisions apply to both the initial and ongoing proficiency of FEBs and provide a guide to conducting evaluations.

Requirements are relevant to:

• Electrical products not pre-certified, listed, recognized, or classified to an applicable product safety standard
• Electrical products and assemblies that are unique or modified after the manufacturing process

This edition is revised to make performance criteria easier to understand and apply.

Fire marshals, AHJs, and anyone with concerns for the safety of installed electrical products and assemblies rely on NFPA 790 to improve the quality and effectiveness of field evaluations.

Changes to the 2021 edition include:

• Edits throughout the standard for increased clarity
• Expanded and enhanced definition of electrical equipment to include energy storage equipment to be recognized as equipment that can be field evaluated
• Revision in Chapter 6 clarifying that technical managers are required to be competent in implementing mandatory technical changes and policies
• Updated references to codes, standards, and other sources

NFPA 790 answers the need for certifying the qualifications and competencies of personnel carrying out electrical product and assembly field evaluations.

Stay up to date with the latest information and requirements with NFPA 790, Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies, 2021 edition.