110.32 and breaker lock outs

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Senario,a/h/u in a closet not within sight of panel.There is just enough room in the closet for the a/h/u and the disconnect is on the side wall.The door can open 90 degrees but the space surrounding the disc.does no way come close to the required working space height width or depth.110.32 states that unless allowed in the code.If there are no energized parts as written in 110.32,then does working clearance need to be maintained?A breaker lock out would take energized parts out of the senario.Regardless as to the fact of it being used,being there would be code compliant.IMHO this would negate working space clearance.

 

[charlie b]

Re: 110.32 and breaker lock outs

I don't do a great deal of HVAC work, so I have never come across an air handling unit rated over 600 volts. Is this what you are dealing with? If not, then 110.32 would not apply.

But if so, I think it would be hard to support the statements that the breaker lock out would always be used, that no person would ever open the equipment without going through a formal lock out procedure, that every other person on the site has been trained on the lock out procedure and would never bypass the procedure and close the breaker. With the equipment out of site of the breaker, it also means that a person contemplating closing the breaker could not see whether anyone was working on the equipment.

I think this proposed installation violates the NEC rules and violates common safety sense. If you can?t give enough working space, then the owner should look for another place to install the equipment. Nothing is worth risking the life of a worker.

 

[steve66]

Re: 110.32 and breaker lock outs

110.32 contains two types of space. The first sentence:

Sufficient space shall be provided and maintained about electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.

requires enough space for operation and maintenance even if working or inspecting the equipment while hot is not required. A lock out won't eliminate this requirement.

Steve

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: 110.32 and breaker lock outs

My bad but 110.26 and 11o.32 state the same thing in other parts of the code...If a service person doesn`t have the intelligence to work safe then well I`m sorry it`s their bad.Would anyone here work on equiptment without first checking for voltage.The code is written for electricians to comply with not DIYS.MR.homeowner will still make flying splices in walls,use nm underground.The code is to keep insurance costs down IMHO.Weather you agree or disagree if it`s right or wrong for safety sake is it code compliant?? If not energized then clearance is not required.Look at 126 A3 B,live again.It`s a thing happeneign here a/c disc fall behind a compressor and the AHJ is allowing us to lock out the, breaker rather than move the pull out as long as they are higher than the unit.Just looking for opinions.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: 110.32 and breaker lock outs

a.wayne,

Would anyone here work on equiptment without first checking for voltage.

The 110.26 workspace is required to check for voltage. It is energized until proved otherwise.
Don

[ June 01, 2004, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]