Electrical standards and regulations can change along with your ZIP code. Learn more about what to expect so you’re better prepared to relocate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Electrical inspections help protect people, property, and processes and keep businesses compliant with current operational standards
  • These standards are composed of national, state, and local regulations which must be met at the new location
  • A successful move requires assessing all electrical equipment before you go
  • Consulting with electrical experts at both ends of the journey makes inspections go smoothly

Relocating a business is no easy task. Maybe you want to be closer to more potential clients and bigger profits. Perhaps you can’t find the staff you need at your present location. Or, maybe your current premises don’t meet your power needs.

Why you’re moving isn’t really important; an electrical inspection of the new premises is. We know that sounds like more stress and expense; however, it actually helps prevent costs and headaches! Assessing structures and equipment at your next address avoids steep fines, operating delays, and serious accidents. Here’s how it works.

Equipment should be inspected before you move

An abbreviated inspection needs to take place before you leave. This involves evaluating every electrical you’re bringing, especially any equipment your business has modified or customized. Either status could mean they don’t conform to testing standards established by recognized listing and certification programs. They may require reevaluation and/or relabeling before use at your new location.

Ensuring hardware is properly classified and doesn’t pose any risk to people, property, or processes can save time and trouble. The inspector at your new location will thoroughly check every electrical aspect of your operation. They expect no faulty wiring, frayed cords, or worn-out circuits.

This is only half of the process, however. Equipment that’s in good working order by your current location’s standards can still fail an inspection if they don’t meet universal and site-specific criteria.

Inspections satisfy authorities in your new location

Businesses can’t unplug at one place and just start over in another. Electrical standards differ across America. There is the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70 regulations set by the National Fire Protection Association. They provide “the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation and inspection”. Those standards are followed by all 50 states; you can read a quick overview by clicking on “view document scope” on the NEC summary page.

The NFPA 70 is just that: a benchmark. It’s the minimum standard a building’s wiring and equipment must meet. This means businesses can’t assume that what passed muster at their old address will be adequate at the new one. State and local authorities have requirements that constitute a safe electrical profile in their jurisdictions. An electrical inspection when you move could provide a new set of essential operational rules to stay safe and legally compliant.

A previous blog post explained all the basic inspection steps your new premises will require. These include checking wiring on every level of the property, ensuring equipment is safely bonded and grounded, and assessing if your equipment complies with the new building’s safety requirements. Inspectors will also investigate how well the heating and cooling system is performing to uncover any threats to occupants’ comfort and wellbeing.

Hire electrical professionals local to your destination before you move. They know national and regional codes. This ensures everything performs properly and nothing violates regulations. This includes observing the equipment manufacturer’s performance requirements and maintenance schedule.

Happy inspectors mean healthier, more productive workplaces

Passing an electrical inspection does more than make you look good. Compliant wiring, sufficient hazard protection, and an efficient HVAC system align with extensive guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You don’t have to be an electrical professional to be impacted by these requirements; businesses with employees who indirectly work with and around electricity are also subject to fines and shutdowns. That means everybody.

Employers can gain peace of mind from an electrical inspection when they move. They’ll know that people won’t be exposed to electrocution hazards that can cause injury or death. They’ll also know they’ve done everything possible to provide a comfortable working environment by ensuring the HVAC system works properly. This can greatly reduce the chances of heat-related illness at work which can cause exhaustion, cardiovascular irregularities, and loss of consciousness, among other symptoms.

An electrical inspection can also determine whether your new building’s commercial generator is sufficient to support your power needs during a crisis. Again, it’s better to discuss this with a local electrical contractor before the inspector gets their turn. A contractor can tell you if the generator is a liability, which gives you some time to make repairs or choose the right model. An inspector who finds a faulty or underpowered generator could be much harsher.

Contact the power pros if you’re planning a business move

Whether or not your business plans to relocate, you still have to schedule an electrical inspection at least once a year (possibly more, depending on where and how you operate). Universal Electrical Services has decades of electrical experience across multiple industries. We’re here to help Florida businesses assess their electrical setup and be inspection-ready. Use our contact page to ask any questions or get a free quote!