03/30/2026
The 400A Threshold Does Not Mean Only the 400A Main Disconnect Gets Inspected
One of the most common misconceptions among building owners and property managers in Miami-Dade County is that the infrared thermography requirement for the 40-year electrical recertification only applies to a 400-ampere main panel — and only to equipment rated at 400 amperes. BORA addressed this directly.
On July 21, 2022, the Board of Rules and Appeals affirmed the clarification issued by the BORA Building Subcommittee. The advisory memo issued the following day by Jaime D. Gascon, P.E., Board and Code Administration Division, states clearly:
"The threshold for requiring thermographic inspection shall be an electrical service rating of 400 amperes or higher."
"The equipment called out in the guidelines for thermographic inspection must be supplied by an electrical service of 400 amperes or higher, but the individual equipment to be inspected DOES NOT need to be rated at 400 amperes or higher."
This means: if your building is served by 400A or more, the thermographic inspection is required — and every piece of electrical equipment fed by that service is subject to inspection, regardless of its individual amperage rating. Sub-panels, breakers, disconnects, and distribution equipment all fall within scope.
The same memo also clarified two additional points relevant to thermographer qualifications:
"A Level 2 thermographer's required experience DOES NOT need to be exclusively obtained through the performance of thermographic inspections but can be obtained through inspections of electrical systems associated with commercial buildings in general."
"The minimum number of years of experience required was reduced to 5 years from 7 years."
If your building has a 400A or greater electrical service and your 40-year recertification thermographic inspection did not cover all equipment fed by that service — your report may be incomplete.
Source: BORA Advisory Memo, July 22, 2022.https://www.miami.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/building/220722-thermographic-inspections-and-clarifications.pdf
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