Suppose you have a panel and the panel is under a gas pipe. The gas pipe is within 6' of the dedicated electrical space. Is there a way around this? Would it be code compliant if the gas pipe is encased such that it is no longer considered in the dedicated electrical space? Would the only way around this would be to ask architect to make a ceiling between the pipe and the panel? What are other clever ways is there to make it code compliant? Thanks!
110.26 Dedicated Electrical Space
- Thread starter Tainted
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
The dedicated electrical space extends 6 ft above the panel or structural ceiling. I have seen a drywall lid installed below ductwork that may Be an option for you.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
An inspector may question whether the drywall is really structural in nature. It is certainly not removable, but what role does it play in the strength or integrity of the building structure?
Needless to say, your mileage may vary.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
The way around it is to run the gas pipe around the footprint of the panel which removes it from the dedicated space.
Assume relocation of gas pipe isn’t an option
I have seen stuff too… but doesn’t really mean it’s correct
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
If you want to comply with the dedicated space requirement you have two options, move the pipe or move the panel. I don't see non-structural drywall as a solution. Also the 6' space above the panel is ridiculous.
Agree with you, 6’ is nuts…. What if i ask to put a ceiling made out of concrete between the panel and gas pipe?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
You would still need to sell the fact that it's a structural ceiling as required by 110.26.
Shoot. I'm concerned because I'm given a room to design electrical distribution system in with a lot of foreign crap above it...
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
The drywall lid is what the AHJ suggested.
Why not build a structural ceiling…2x6, 3/4 plywood?
Why not build a structural ceiling…2x6, 3/4 plywood?
Not all AHJ would accept this…? Plywood is not even structural… lol
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Plywood and joists are commonly used for structural floors.
Yea but I think it will be hard convincing AHJ for this loophole
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
It’s not clear cut at all. This issue has come up before.
MyCleveland
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
LOL is not an appropriate response….did you see the words under his name ?
Everyone is trying to help you.
Again you are going about this the wrong way. You where given floor space to work with, you understand the piping must be relocated or buried…concealed.
Inform your ME on the job of the parameters and let them deal with how to resolve.
You should tell them of other areas that a similar issue at the same time.
I don’t get it, what’s wrong with my response? Lol. You are jumping into conclusions, I did inform, and all they said is that there are ways around it so I wanted to hear opinions here.
You could swap the panelboard location with a transformer location since the transformer doesn't require the dedicated electrical space above it. Your feeders may and up out of order but it could possibly get you out of the jam. I agree with MyCleveland that if this is something that the Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer can fix quickly then pass it on to them.
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