I've got an underground valve vault I'm trying to provide some freeze protection in, and I'm having a difficult time finding a "damp location" heater. (EI is enforcing it) If I install heat trace it will have to meet job specs, which will cost about 2200.00. A space heater would be a much easier and cheaper option, and the customer is fine with it. Anybody have any ideas?
damp location space heater
- Thread starter danger30
- Start date
- Status
ceb58
Senior Member
- Location
- Raeford, NC
Wouldn't the heater take the 'dampness' out of the location ? Without more info, are you
close enough to thr vault to 'duct' the heat in from a dry location, using the less $$$ heater
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
What about the customer purchasing some plug in units, which removes you from the responsibility loop?
Power Tech
Senior Member
- Location
- Lebec, California
Perhaps a combination of heaters and fans.
Just thought, would a bathroom heat/fan work? If you have a vent you could even use the exhaust fan.
Put on a line thermostat.
Granger has the humidistat you could put in line also.
Just thought, would a bathroom heat/fan work? If you have a vent you could even use the exhaust fan.
Put on a line thermostat.
Granger has the humidistat you could put in line also.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
So it's only compliant when it's on?
So it's only compliant when it's on?
Yes !!!!
The AHJ has deemed the area a damp location, so it must be listed and labeled for such location. This is the problem I'm having. I can find outdoor rated heaters, which are obviously rated for damp environments, but none for such a relatively small space. (4' X 5' X 4') I am contemplating installing a WP GFCI with in-use cover on a bell box and telling the inspector the customer is planning on using a corded style heat trace. Personally, I'd rather not go down that road. I might end up biting the bullet and installing the spec'd heat tracing.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
washdown rated heater
washdown rated heater
Grainger has washdown rated heaters both large and small.
However cost on some of the smaller heaters is close to what you said trace heating may cost. There is a 500 watt 120 volt stainless baseboard 28 inch long with NEMA 4X junction box for around $1200.
Many of them appear to be stainless steel still may be worth looking in to.
washdown rated heater
Grainger has washdown rated heaters both large and small.
However cost on some of the smaller heaters is close to what you said trace heating may cost. There is a 500 watt 120 volt stainless baseboard 28 inch long with NEMA 4X junction box for around $1200.
Many of them appear to be stainless steel still may be worth looking in to.
Last edited:
buldogg
Senior Member
- Location
- Green Bay, Wisc.
Why does the spec'd heat trace cost $2200 for such a small area?
e57
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
The Electrical Inspector is enforcing the heating/freeze protection of the "Valve Vault"? (Sounds like a plumbing problem to me...) If so, I would fight that - up front... Or is he just sticking to it being damp? If the design of the vault did not include this, then it is a CO - charge whatever you like... I would assume anything made for the purpose would be damp rated. And putting lights and or conditioning the space with heaters may not be all that effective or reliable.
e57
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
I'm confused - did you miss this on the bid?
- Status