110.26 C (2) egress question

[goindowner]

The scenario I have is an existing 1600 amp rated motor controller (MC) located in the back of a mechanical room. With some chiller pumps in front of the MC. All the equipment is being replaced including the MC. Normal working clearance in front of the motor controller but the working . The issue I see there is no direct egress door on either side of the MC.
The room is large but will not have a clear path to a door. One door is within 16' of the equipment but it would require going around a corner. The other door is approximately 50' from the MC with several obstacles between the MC. Does this meet the intent of 110.26 C (2)?

 

[north star]

@ ~ @ ~


goindowner,

What will be the distances, and set up of the equipment AFTER
everything is replaced ?

Has this egress question been reviewed by the local AHJ,
...either the Building Official or the Fire Code Official ?


~ @ ~ @

 

[charlie b]

Normal working clearance in front of the motor controller but the working .

You didn't finish this sentence, and it confuses me.

The issue I see there is no direct egress door on either side of the MC.

The code does not say you need an unobstructed path to a door on either side of the equipment. It says you need an entrance to (egress from) the working space. It doesn't have to be a doorway. If you can begin by standing within the working space, and if you can walk away from the working space into the mechanical room, without bumping into any mechanical equipment or other obstacle before you are outside the working space, and can do that in two different directions, you will have met the requirement.

 

[north star]

# ` # ` #


goindowner,

The AHJ BO \ FCO are the only ones who can tell
you for sure what your egress requirements must be.
Recommend that you contact them with your plans
or proposed set-up to discuss. :happyyes:


# ` # ` #

 

[goindowner]

I am the plans examiner. The MC will have 42"s of working clearance, but you cannot double the clearance because of chiller pumps in front of the MC. A person could clear the space from the far sides of the MC, but would have chillers and pumps to maneuver around to get to the door. The last thing I want is an arc fault to happen and a worker not being able to clear the area. I have seen the results of a much smaller arc fault that has happened, I never want to see that again. The worker was lucky he lived.

All thank you. This one has me worried. Charlie, my apologies for the half thought. I don't want to cost a project more money but I don't want anyone hurt either.

 

[david luchini]

I am the plans examiner. The MC will have 42"s of working clearance, but you cannot double the clearance because of chiller pumps in front of the MC. A person could clear the space from the far sides of the MC, but would have chillers and pumps to maneuver around to get to the door. The last thing I want is an arc fault to happen and a worker not being able to clear the area. I have seen the results of a much smaller arc fault that has happened, I never want to see that again. The worker was lucky he lived.

All thank you. This one has me worried. Charlie, my apologies for the half thought. I don't want to cost a project more money but I don't want anyone hurt either.

The motor controller is over 6' wide?

 

[charlie b]

A person could clear the space from the far sides of the MC, but would have chillers and pumps to maneuver around to get to the door.

At the risk of repeating myself, getting to the door is not what is important. Getting away from the working space is all that matters.

The last thing I want is an arc fault to happen and a worker not being able to clear the area.

I applaud your concern. But do keep in mind that an arc fault will probably last no more than a fraction of a second before an upstream breaker or fuse will act to terminate the event. That is plenty of time to cause a serious injury to a person standing in front of the gear, or to a person whose hands are inside the gear and who did something that created the arc in the first place. But it is not enough time for a person to make his or her way to a door.

I believe the rule concerning egress from the working clearance is there to ensure a worker can, as you say, "clear the area," in the rare cases when the arcing and sparking does not stop right away. But I also believe the code authors are telling us that once you have stepped out of the "box" that comprises the "working clearance," you will have "cleared the area," and are safe (i.e., that is far enough from the remaining arcs and sparks). The door requirements are there to assist the worker that wants to get further away, either to gain a greater feeling of safety, or perhaps to seek help for a fellow worker. You don't want that person to have to struggle to leave the room.

 

[goindowner]

Yes Mr. David it is, close to 16'. Thanks Mr. Beck Your interpretation is a big help.