If your company has unlisted electrical equipment in Oregon, there is good news.

Lewis Bass International Engineering Services is approved by the State of Oregon to perform field evaluations and field labeling services on qualifying equipment.

That may sound like a small administrative detail, but for manufacturers, semiconductor facilities, research laboratories, machine builders, integrators, and end users throughout Oregon, it can make the difference between a project moving forward or sitting idle while compliance questions are sorted out.

In this blog we will cover what Oregon’s approval of Lewis Bass as a trusted field evaluation body means and how Lewis Bass can help get your equipment accepted safely and efficiently.

What Is Oregon’s Approved Field Evaluation Body List?

The Oregon Building Codes Division maintains a list of approved Field Evaluation Bodies (FEBs). These organizations are authorized to perform field evaluations of electrical equipment that has not been certified through traditional product listing programs. The state has established specific requirements that field evaluation bodies must meet before they can perform this work within Oregon. These requirements are based on nationally recognized standards such as NFPA 790 and NFPA 791 and include accreditation, competency, quality procedures, and technical oversight.

In simple terms, Oregon does not allow just any company to perform field evaluations. The state reviews organizations and approves only those that demonstrate the qualifications necessary to evaluate electrical equipment safely and consistently.

Lewis Bass is proud to be included among the organizations approved to perform these services in Oregon.

Why Does This Approval Matter?

When an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), electrical inspector, or building department requests a field evaluation, they want confidence that the evaluation is being performed by a qualified organization.

Being listed as an approved Field Evaluation Body tells Oregon inspectors and customers that Lewis Bass has demonstrated compliance with the state’s approval requirements and possesses the systems, procedures, accreditation, and technical expertise needed to conduct field evaluations.

For equipment owners, this means less uncertainty during inspections and a smoother path toward approval.

Rather than wondering whether a field label will be accepted, customers can point to the fact that Lewis Bass is specifically approved by the State of Oregon for this type of work.

What Types of Equipment Can Lewis Bass Evaluate?

Field evaluations are commonly required when equipment does not carry a recognized certification mark or when modifications have affected the original listing.

Examples include:

• Custom-built industrial machinery
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Research and development equipment
• Industrial control panels
• Factory automation systems
• One-of-a-kind production tools
• Imported machinery
• Equipment that has been substantially modified after installation
• Assemblies made by combining multiple listed products into a single machine

These situations are extremely common in Oregon’s technology, semiconductor, manufacturing, and research sectors.

In many cases, equipment is perfectly safe but simply lacks the documentation needed to satisfy an inspector. A field evaluation provides the independent assessment necessary to verify compliance with applicable safety requirements.

How Does the Lewis Bass Field Evaluation Process Work?

The process is designed to minimize disruption while helping customers achieve compliance as quickly as possible.

First, our engineering team reviews the equipment and project requirements. We identify the applicable standards and determine what documentation may be needed.

Next, a qualified evaluator performs an on-site inspection. This evaluation may include examination of:

• Electrical construction
• Wiring methods
• Grounding and bonding
• Overcurrent protection
• Control systems
• Emergency stop functions
• Enclosures and accessibility
• Mechanical hazards
• Equipment labeling
• Electrical testing where required

If deficiencies are identified, we provide a punch list outlining corrective actions.

Once the issues have been addressed, Lewis Bass can perform a follow-up review. If the equipment complies with the applicable requirements, we issue the field evaluation documentation and apply a field label indicating conformity.

Our goal is always the same: help customers reach compliance efficiently while maintaining a high level of safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Oregon inspectors accept a Lewis Bass field label?

Because Lewis Bass is included on Oregon’s approved Field Evaluation Body list, our evaluations are performed under the state’s established approval framework. Ultimately, the local AHJ maintains authority over acceptance decisions, but Oregon’s approval process exists specifically to identify organizations whose field evaluations may be relied upon during the inspection process.

Can Lewis Bass perform evaluations anywhere in Oregon?

Yes. We routinely support customers throughout the state, including Portland, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, and many other locations.

What if my equipment fails the initial evaluation?

That is not uncommon. Many projects require a few corrections before compliance can be achieved. Lewis Bass provides clear guidance regarding the necessary modifications and works with customers through the corrective action process.

How quickly can a field evaluation be scheduled?

Project timing depends on equipment complexity, location, and workload. However, Lewis Bass is well known for supporting urgent projects and helping customers meet aggressive startup schedules whenever possible and a member of our engineering staff can sometimes be onsite within 24 hours of the initial request for service.

Is a field evaluation less expensive than redesigning equipment?

In most cases, yes. A field evaluation is often the fastest and most cost-effective path to demonstrating compliance for existing equipment that lacks a certification mark.

Do you have other questions for Lewis Bass?

Lewis Bass has an ongoing question and answer series called, “Ask Lewis Bass” where we answer common (and not so common) questions about field evaluations, SEMI S2 evaluations, CE Mark evaluations, and much, much more. Please contact us today and send a question our way! We would love to help you get to the bottom of your engineering predicament(s).

Oregon Field Evaluation Services from Lewis Bass

Oregon has established a structured process for approving organizations that perform field evaluations, and Lewis Bass is proud to be recognized as one of those approved providers. That approval reflects our commitment to technical competence, quality systems, and electrical safety.

Whether you have a single custom machine, a semiconductor tool entering a fabrication facility, an imported production line, or an entire factory full of unlisted equipment, Lewis Bass can help you navigate the compliance process.

If your Oregon building inspector has requested a field evaluation, or if you simply want to ensure your equipment meets applicable safety requirements before inspection day arrives, our team is ready to assist.

After all, getting equipment into production is hard enough. Compliance should not be the reason your project gets delayed!