Access to Working Space

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I hadn't noticed before, but the requirement of 110.26(C)(1) is expressed in terms of "area," not "width." There is, you say, 14 inches between the storage racks. But where, exactly, is the "area" that comprises the "entrance to working space"?

Let us start by drawing a box on the floor, a box to represent the required working clearance. That box would be 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep (presuming we are looking at a 120 volt to ground panel). OK. The space between the shelves is 6 inches wider than the newly drawn box on the floor, and it is 4 inches deeper. Now I need to draw another box, one to represent the "entrance to working space." Where do I draw it? Can I draw a second box within the corner, between the shelves, and have that second box be of "sufficient area" to comprise an entrance? I cannot. I would have to draw that second box in such a way that the corners of the two shelving units are within the second box, and that the second box extends into the room in the direction of the camera that took these photos.

So the fundamental question is, can an "entrance to working space" be considered to be of "sufficient area," if part of that entrance area is blocked by obstructions that are beyond the ability of the worker to remove? I think not. But I also think the words in the NEC are not clear enough to make this an obvious violation. I would have to let this pass, if I were the Inspector.
 
charlie b said:
Can I draw a second box within the corner, between the shelves, and have that second box be of "sufficient area" to comprise an entrance? I cannot. I would have to draw that second box in such a way that the corners of the two shelving units are within the second box, and that the second box extends into the room in the direction of the camera that took these photos.
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Charlie, you lost me on this. I would say the sufficient area for access and egress is in the vertical plane, not the horizontal plane. Same as a door. The access and egress area is vertical. That is the way I see it.
 
Actually, that does make more sense. So in this case, the area is floor to ceiling in height, and 14 inches in width. Is that of sufficient area? Again, I can't use any words in the book to prove it is not, so I would have to pass this portion of this installation.
 
Perhaps the local fire marshall can cite ordinance about access of an equipment wearing fire fighter, or something. . .something under the rubric of life safety.
 
hillbilly said:
How can you tell that from looking at a picture?
Just curious.


steve
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I can not really but there is a small panel added above the large ones, it looks to me to be over 6'-7" for some of the circuits. :smile:

Access-workngspace2.jpg
 
What is the hazard you ask??? Well the hazard is that your 70-E ppe suit will get snagged on the opening on the way in thru the door. There is no working hazard in that space unless someone is working on the panel live, and with the door removed. If they are doing that, per current requirments of OSHA and NFPA 70-E they must have the proper ppe on. And according to the many calculations you must perform prior to uncovering that panel to arrive at the proper safety gear level, you will have covered the danger level by properly gearing yourself up for it. So my theory based on all the nonsence I just wrote is that there will be no other hazard than perhaps snagging your ppe suit upon entry, and therefore ruining some expensive safety equipment.
 
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