You should check out the 2024 version of NFPA 790, which is all about making sure third-party field evaluation groups are qualified. Basically, this standard lays out what skills and knowledge these third parties need to have when they’re checking electrical gear. It also gives them a roadmap for how to do these evaluations.
When electrical gear hasn’t been certified, listed, recognized, or classified before, it has to go through a field evaluation to make sure it’s safe. NFPA 790 sets the rules for who gets to do these evaluations and what the process should be. Fire marshals, safety officials, and anyone concerned about electrical equipment safety use NFPA 790 to make these evaluations better and more effective.
This standard works hand-in-hand with NFPA 791, which offers guidance on how to evaluate electrical equipment that doesn’t have a label. NFPA 790 is actually based on ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17065, but it’s been tweaked to suit the specific needs of field evaluations. The standard covers everything from the initial training to ongoing development for field evaluation groups, and it acts as a guide for conducting these evaluations.
The 2024 edition of NFPA 790 is key for electrical items that haven’t been certified, listed, recognized, or classified according to a safety standard, as well as for electrical products and assemblies that are one-of-a-kind or have been modified after they were built. NFPA 790 tackles the necessity of verifying that the people doing field evaluations on electrical products and assemblies have the right skills and qualifications. It’s important to use the most recent edition of NFPA 790 to stay up-to-date on how installed electrical equipment is evaluated.
