Does anyone know when the pdf version of 70E 2021 will be available for purchase and download? Thanks!

I understand from NFPA, they discontinued PDFs and only have the online viewer. I imagine it was a copyright "PDF going viral" issue.

I contacted Derek Vigostol with NFPA. We can all contact him and ask, but I think NFPA management made a bigger decision here to control copying and ensure revenue generation. Not good as do not have internet connection all of the time.

NFPA is very aware. Like it or not, they've been sending communications to their membership for years making the case that NFPA codes are not free and fees go directly to improvement safety. Here one recent example: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Sign-up-for-NFPA-Network/Newsletter-main/NFPA-Network-August-2020

Personally, I think this decision is a poor one by the NFPA.

The online viewer (available via the "FREE ACCESS" button on this page) is no substitute for the PDF format. I cannot see a way to search the document, nor does it appear that I can increase the font size in a sensible manner (other than using the web browser to do so, which causes the bottom of the online viewer to disappear off-screen). Although, admittedly it is useful to be able to view any NFPA 70E edition, past or present, using this online viewer.

To completely remove the option of a downloadable electronic version seems like a backward step. In this day and age, surely there are fairly unobtrusive, user-friendly and cost-effective copy protection options available?

I have had to order a hard-copy which has an environmental (as well as financial) cost for international shipping to the UK. I either have to specifically attend my office to obtain the document (I have been exclusively remote working at home since March) - creating an unnecessary journey during this COVID-19 pandemic and potentially putting my colleagues at risk, or a further delivery cost has to be incurred to have the document sent to my home. Plus, I've completely lost the search facility I once had with the electronic version.

[rant over!]

Unfortunately, NFPA made a decision, a bad one in my opinion which is shared by many others, to no longer release any of their standards, including the 2020 NEC and now the 2021 70E in a pdf format.

This very subject was discussed heavily last year during the 2020 IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW) in Reno, NV, and it was a topic of contention to say the least and not well received by anyone I know of, including some of the "Big Names" in electrical safety.

The excuse given was that too many people and some nations (i.e. China) are releasing unauthorized versions of the pdf and the NFPA is losing money. So Jim Pauley and some of the NFPA leadership from the “non-profit” NFPA organization made a “business decision” based on profits that negatively impacted millions of users around the world who lawfully obtain copies from NFPA.

There were several NFPA employees at the ESW, including Derek Vigstol, and these poor guys who had absolutely no responsibility for the poor decision, took the brunt of the negative feedback and frustrations caused by their management. Their only suggestion was to contact Jim Pauley directly with our grievances, which I did in a professional manner. If enough customers, especially those volunteer members on the various technical committees, send correspondences to Jim Pauley and/or the NFPA Board of Directors explaining how this decision is negatively impacting our ability to perform our jobs, then who knows, they may change course.

Here’s Jim Pauley’s phone contact information 617-984-7275 and link to the NFPA Board of Directors for anyone who may be interested.

https://www.nfpa.org/about-nfpa/nfpa-leadership
https://www.nfpa.org/About-NFPA/NFPA-le ... -Directors

Agreed with the disappointment expressed in this thread.

Most codes and standards organizations seem to be more attentive to "leaks" in their revenue stream these days and pdf documents going viral is one of those "leaks". I understand that issue but eliminating the pdf version makes travel more complicated (my life pre-covid) since I can't carry my library with me - won't fit in the overhead bin It is unfortunate that the pdf version has been eliminated (personal opinion)

There are 2 other options that I am aware of. NFPA has a FREE online viewer. However it is a bit clumsy and does not include any functions including the most important feature - search function.

NFPA also introduced the new NFCSS which is a subscription based program. I won't comment on this.