110.26 f-1 and 110.26 e

[charlie]

We replaced 2 A-base meters and 2 old fuse panels in an existing basement with open joist ceiling at 5'11". However, also there were 3 water lines overhead of one of the panels. Our inspector sited 110.26 f-1a and told us one new breaker panel had to move to an adjacent wall. We came back with 110.26 f-1b, which he shot down claiming that only applied to a normal headroom situation (6'6"). My contention then, is if he wants to do that, then we can now use 110.26 E "exception" as this is existing space, build our protection and call it good. Do I have a case?

This was a PM from an electrician from Ithaca, NY. When you have questions, please post your questions for all to address instead of sending a PM to a moderator. Thanks, Charlie

 

[barbeer]

Sounds non-compliant from the get-go, hopefully he will work with you, I know I would.

 

[dcspector]

Dear Anonymous,

The existing headroom height is ok per the exception. However, the foreign piping above the panel is not going to fly. What would it take to re route the water lines vs. relocating a panel with "assuming the home runs already installed"? let us know.

Signed and yours truly "Mr. Obvious"

 

[charlie b]

There are two separate requirements at play here.

First, let?s talk about headroom. If you are standing in front of a panel, standing within the real estate reserved as ?working space,? then you need to have 6?6? of headroom. You can have pipes over your head, as long as they are at least that high off the floor. The ?existing dwelling unit? exception applies to this requirement.

Next, let?s talk about the space above the panel itself. Not above the working space, but above the panel. The first 6 feet, starting at the top of the panel and going upwards, is the ?dedicated equipment space.? No pipes are allowed there. You can have pipes more than 6 feet above the top of the panel, if there is a drip shield. But your situation has pipes less than 6 feet above the top of the panel, and therefore you have a violation on your hands.

 

[mikeg14882]

Thanks to all for your responses! Greg, my boss is currently looking into having the water lines re-routed as this would be the better option. Trying to re-locate the panels in this basement would prove to be more costly.

Mike Gallagher- Bear Electric, Ithaca, NY

 

[dcspector]

Thanks to all for your responses! Greg, my boss is currently looking into having the water lines re-routed as this would be the better option. Trying to re-locate the panels in this basement would prove to be more costly.

Mike Gallagher- Bear Electric, Ithaca, NY

Mike Thanks for getting back. I see this all the time. It is more cost efficient to relocate the water lines than the panelboard. I have a current project to date where they have a hi-rise bathroom group sanitary drain system (12 floors) above a 4000 amp piece of gear. The last sanitary trap is only 3' above the gear.