Readily Accessible

[Glenn Becnel]

A contractor on our site is wiring an office trailer complex (20 units). The A/C units are approx 8 - 10 feet above grade. The disconnecting means is a 2 pole circuit breaker in a power panel located 4 feet above grade. Reading the NEC definition of "Accessibility, Readily", it seems this is a violation. The A/C equipment will need temporary scaffolding erected everytime the A/C technician has to work on this equipment. We have asked for a permanent platform/deck to be fabricated to comply with this definition. The general contractor's response is, these are rental trailers & its not needed.
Is this installation "NEC compliant"?

 

[jxofaltrds]

Are you talking about the AC units or the disconnects?

 

[iwire]

I am not so sure it is a problem.

240.24 Location in or on Premises.

(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible
and shall be installed so that the center of the grip
of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker,
when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.)
above the floor or working platform, unless one of the following
applies:

(1) For busways, as provided in 368.17(C).

(2) For supplementary overcurrent protection, as described
in 240.10.

(3) For overcurrent devices, as described in 225.40 and
230.92.

(4) For overcurrent devices adjacent to utilization equipment
that they supply, access shall be permitted to be
by portable means.

404.8 Accessibility and Grouping.

(A) Location. All switches and circuit breakers used as
switches shall be located so that they may be operated from
a readily accessible place. They shall be installed such that
the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch
or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, is not more
than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working platform.

Exception No. 1: On busway installations, fused switches
and circuit breakers shall be permitted to be located at the
same level as the busway. Suitable means shall be provided
to operate the handle of the device from the floor.

Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed
adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that
they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0 m
(6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.

Exception No. 3: Hookstick operable isolating switches
shall be permitted at greater heights.

 

[Glenn Becnel]

Readily Accessible

The A/C compressors located 8 - 10 feet above grade. The overcurrent protection is accessible in the power panel located 4 feet above grade.

 

[iwire]

I know exactly the type of units you are talking about.

Here is a double wide I did last spring.

Trailer or not IMO there is no NEC requirement for a work platform around these units.

 

[acrwc10]

A contractor on our site is wiring an office trailer complex (20 units). The A/C units are approx 8 - 10 feet above grade. The disconnecting means is a 2 pole circuit breaker in a power panel located 4 feet above grade. Reading the NEC definition of "Accessibility, Readily", it seems this is a violation. The A/C equipment will need temporary scaffolding erected everytime the A/C technician has to work on this equipment. We have asked for a permanent platform/deck to be fabricated to comply with this definition. The general contractor's response is, these are rental trailers & its not needed.
Is this installation "NEC compliant"?

4 feet above grade sound very "Accessible, Readily" as far as the A/C unit that would be in the mechanical code (and it isn't a problem there either):grin:

 

[construct]

Trailer or not IMO there is no NEC requirement for a work platform around these units.

I agree.

I also agree with acrwc10. If it was a problem by the Mechanical Code, HVAC equipment would not be allowed in attics and on rooftops.

 

[roger]

I also agree that this is a legal (and quite common) installation.

Roger

 

[Glenn Becnel]

Readily Accessible

Please direct me to the article (if it exists) in the NEC which states, electrical equipment must be readily accessible for inspection, servicing, maintenance, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[raider1]

Please direct me to the article (if it exists) in the NEC which states, electrical equipment must be readily accessible for inspection, servicing, maintenance, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help.

There is no all encompassing requirement that all electrical equipment be readily accessible.

There are specific requirements such as 240.24(A) for overcurrent devices but there are exceptions to that rule.

Chris