NFPA 790, Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies

NFPA^® 790 Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies, R2024 Edition

Chapter 1 Administration

1.1 Scope.
1.2 Purpose.
1.3 Application.

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

2.1 General.
2.2 NFPA Publications. (Reserved)
2.3 Other Publications.
2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.

Chapter 3 Definitions

3.1 General.
3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
3.3 General Definitions.

Chapter 4 FEB Application for Recognition

4.1 Application.
4.2 Contents of Application.

Chapter 5 FEB Organization

5.1 General Provisions.
5.2 Organization and Management.
5.3 Operations.
5.4 Subcontracting.
5.5 Management System.
5.6 Conditions and Procedures for Field Evaluations.
5.7 Internal Audits and Management Review.
5.8 Documentation.
5.9 Records.
5.10 Confidentiality.

Chapter 6 FEB Personnel

6.1 General.
6.2 Qualification Criteria.

Chapter 7 Appeals, Complaints, and Disputes

7.1 Appeals, Complaints, and Disputes Procedures.
7.2 Documentation and Subsequent Actions.

Chapter 8 Application for Evaluation

8.1 Information on Procedures.
8.2 Application.

Chapter 9 Preparation for Evaluation

9.1 Evaluation Preparation.
9.2 Assignment of Qualified FEB Personnel.

Chapter 10 Evaluation

10.1 Evaluation Standards.
10.2 Evaluation Locations.

Chapter 11 Evaluation Report

11.1 Technical Reports.
11.2 Personnel.
11.3 Notification of Applicant.
11.4 Corrective Actions.
11.5 Format and Content.
11.6 Accuracy.
11.7 Review.

Chapter 12 Decision to Issue an FEB Statement of Conformity

12.1 Conformity Decision.
12.2 Evaluator Decision.
12.3 Delegation.

Chapter 13 Use of FEB Statement of Conformity

13.1 Control of FEB Statements of Conformity.
13.2 Improper References.

Chapter 14 Test and Measuring Equipment

14.1 Calibration Program.
14.2 Operator and Maintenance Instructions.
14.3 Suspect Test Equipment.
14.4 Trace Back Process.
14.5 Calibration Marking.
14.6 Equipment Records.

Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex B Application for Recognition as a Field Evaluation Body (FEB)
Annex C Electrical Product Groups
Annex D Informational References

2021 Edition

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. (Print, 20 pp., 2021)

2018 Edition

Use NFPA 790, Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies with the NFPA 791 to promote effective field evaluations of electrical equipment.

Installed electrical products or assemblies that are not previously certified, listed, recognized, or classified undergo a "field evaluation" to 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.

The Standard is used in tandem NFPA 791, Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation.

The latest requirements in NFPA 790 are essential for fire marshals, AHJs, and other personnel involved with evaluating:

• 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

Changes in the 2018 edition include an updated reference to the NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) edition date in Chapter 2, and clarifications in C.1.2(2) to ensure the text is referring to a motor control center. Created to meet industry needs, NFPA 790 is vital for electrical safety for the public. (Print, 19 pp., 2018)

2014 Edition

Use NFPA 790, Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies to promote effective field evaluations of electrical equipment.

Installed electrical products or assemblies that are not previously certified, listed, recognized, or classified undergo a "field evaluation" to 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.

The Standard is used in tandem with NFPA 791, Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation.

Requirements in NFPA 790 are essential for fire marshals, AHJs, and other personnel involved with evaluating:

• 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

Created to meet industry needs, NFPA 790 is vital for electrical safety for the public. (Softbound, 18 pp., 2014)

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