New Year Compliance Changes & Code Updates for NFPA 110
As we enter 2026, facilities managers, electrical engineers, and safety professionals nationwide need to be aware of significant compliance changes coming updates tied to NFPA 110, the Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. These revisions, many finalized in late 2025 and now being adopted into local regulations throughout 2026, carry real implications for how commercial generators and associated electrical systems are designed, installed, tested, labeled, and maintained.
Staying ahead of these updates is essential. The updates help avoid violations during inspections and ensure operator safety, system reliability, and facility resilience. Below, we explain what’s changed, why it matters, and how you can proactively adapt your annual compliance plans.
NFPA 110: What’s Happening in 2026 (and Why It Matters)
Unlike the NEC, which has a clearly defined publication cycle, NFPA 110 (Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems) is now in an active development cycle for its next edition (following the 2025 edition). NFPA 110 governs the performance, installation, and maintenance requirements for emergency and standby power systems, including generators, transfer switches, controls, and supervisory equipment.
2025 Edition of NFPA 110 (Effective Into 2026)
Although labeled “2025,” this edition of NFPA 110 is the standard facilities should be working toward now and through 2026.
Key emerging updates (from draft and industry summaries) include:
- Expanded acceptable starting battery technologies
Batteries such as nickel-zinc and lithium-ion — in addition to traditional lead-acid and nickel-cadmium — are now allowed so long as they meet cranking performance criteria. - More flexible fuel tank capacity standards
For systems classified for shorter runtimes, revised minimum sizing for main tanks helps ensure reliable service without excessive oversizing. - Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) permitted
NFPA 110 now allows an RCM approach for planning routine maintenance activities used to sustain operational reliability while aligning with safety and cost outcomes. - Inspection and Maintenance Clarifications
Routine inspection intervals and recordkeeping language have been clarified to help AHJs and maintenance teams consistently interpret requirements.
Why it matters:
NFPA 110 is the backbone of how emergency power systems must be maintained and tested. Even without a formal 2026 edition release, facility managers should plan for implementation of the approved 2025 updates and anticipate future modifications as the standard evolves.
Why These Code Changes Matter for Facilities Managers
Whether you’re responsible for a hospital, campus, data center, manufacturing plant, commercial building, or mixed-use facility, these code updates matter because they:
- Impact Safety and Risk Mitigation
Arc-flash incidents, obstructed egress paths, or poorly identified power sources are safety risks that can lead to injury or worse. NEC’s enhanced marking and working space language directly address these hazards. - Influence Maintenance and Testing Routines
NFPA 110’s evolving maintenance requirements — including reliability-based strategies — help facilities shift from reactive to proactive compliance regimes. - Affect Documentation and Inspection Outcomes
Clearer identification of power sources and restrictions on ambiguous manufacturer instructions simplify AHJ reviews and reduce costly rework. - Shape Annual Budgeting and Planning
Once per year compliance planning is more effective when teams know what changed, what’s coming up for enforcement, and where gaps remain.
Annual Compliance Planning: An Actionable Checklist for 2026
Here’s a practical checklist facility and compliance managers can use during annual audits and planning:
NFPA 110-Focused Tasks
✔ Audit generator battery types and maintenance records, confirming compliance with updated starting battery criteria.
✔ Implement reliability-centered maintenance tasks where appropriate, documenting strategy decisions.
✔ Validate fuel storage calculations and capacity per the revised standard guidance.
✔ Ensure inspection and maintenance logs meet clarified NFPA 110 language.
Documentation & Training
✔ Update SOPs and maintenance manuals reflecting 2026 NEC and NFPA 110 changes.
✔ Train maintenance personnel on updated arc-flash labeling and space requirements.
✔ Brief on updated inspection intervals and documentation expectations.
Final Thoughts
Keeping up with compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does require attention to detail and proactive planning. The 2026 revisions to the NEC and evolving updates to NFPA 110 emphasize clearer safety requirements, more precise labeling and documentation, and a maintenance approach that prioritizes reliability and risk reduction.
As a facilities manager responsible for emergency power systems and electrical safety, these code updates should shape your annual planning, budget forecasts, and compliance workflows.
Need help interpreting how these 2026 code changes impact your facility or emergency power systems?
Call the experts at GenServe at 800-247-7215 to speak with a specialist who can walk you through the specifics and support compliance planning for your business.