110.26(C)(2)(a) Unobstructed Egress

[WastefulMiser]

(a) Unobstructed Egress. Where the location permits a
continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel, a single
entrance to the working space shall be permitted.

What does unobstructed egress mean?

I have a room with four sections of 480V switchgear that's over 1200A and 8' long.

I would like to place one door directly in front of the switchgear. I have ~5' of clearance between the switchgear and the wall.

Does the NEC allow this?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Are you saying the gear is 8' wide, with the door being 5' away from the front of the 8ft wide gear?
If that is so, then the one entrance would be sufficient.

 

[charlie b]

What does unobstructed egress mean?

To me it means no columns or other structural components are in the path from the gear to the door. It also means that if the panel access doors swing on hinges, then the hinges have to be on the side opposite to the door out of the room. In other words, if you have the panel access door open, and you are working inside the gear, and if you can't see the door out of the room because the panel access door is in the path between your body and the room exit, you do not have an "unobstructed egress."

 

[ceb58]

To me it means no columns or other structural components are in the path from the gear to the door. It also means that if the panel access doors swing on hinges, then the hinges have to be on the side opposite to the door out of the room. In other words, if you have the panel access door open, and you are working inside the gear, and if you can't see the door out of the room because the panel access door is in the path between your body and the room exit, you do not have an "unobstructed egress."

Translated: If it hits the fan you must be able to run like a rabbit without running into any thing

 

[augie47]

Are you saying the gear is 8' wide, with the door being 5' away from the front of the 8ft wide gear?
If that is so, then the one entrance would be sufficient.

Pierre, I can see that being the case if the distance was 7 ft, I don't see it at 5 ft unless you consider the door to meet the "unobstructed access" rule.

Translated: If it hits the fan you must be able to run like a rabbit without running into any thing

That's always been my thought. Often, in industrial settings here, the gear is located in a dedicated but open area in a large bay where one could easily put distance between the gear and himself simply by running in any direction.

 

[WastefulMiser]

Are you saying the gear is 8' wide, with the door being 5' away from the front of the 8ft wide gear?
If that is so, then the one entrance would be sufficient.

Correct. 8' wide and 5' between the wall and the switchgear.

So, just because the door is in front of the switchgear and not on the side is why this is allowed?

Would the same be acceptable if there was a panelboard across from the switchgear lessening the distance in between as long as the distance is greater than equal to 4'?