Access to Panel in platform

C

Charlypt

Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrician
We need to power some pool equipment that will be placed on a platform at an elevation of 11 feet.
The platform doesn't have stairs or fixed ladders. Do I need to install one to access the disconnects (readily accessible), or only if we install a subpanel?
 
Fred B said:
Disconnect for pool equipment must be readily accessible. 680.13
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What about 404.8(A)(2)?
Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.

Pool equipment will be placed on a platform at an elevation of 11 feet.

don_resqcapt19 said:
The platform would also have to be large enough to provide the 110.26(A) workspace.
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How does 404.8(A)(2) reconcile with the 110.26(A) workspace for disconnects?
Does this mean the platform doesn't need to be expanded or the disconnects need to be "readily accessible"?
 
Look at the difference between accessible vs readily accessible. Pool equipment disconnect must be readily accessible.

Also 680 modifies or supplements the other sections Look at 90.3 so 404.8 may apply generally 680.13 would supersede 404.

Why is the equipment being put on an elevated platform and what sort of equipment is it?

If this equipment is part of the equipment requiring emergency shut down per building code how fast can you climb up a 11ft ladder to an elevated platform to kill the power?
 
Charlypt said:
What about 404.8(A)(2)?
Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.

Pool equipment will be placed on a platform at an elevation of 11 feet.


How does 404.8(A)(2) reconcile with the 110.26(A) workspace for disconnects?
Does this mean the platform doesn't need to be expanded or the disconnects need to be "readily accessible"?
Click to expand...
If you have a platform, it must meet the requirements of 110.26(A). The access to elevated equipment without a platform, by portable means is permitted by 404.8(A)(2) and that acts as an exception to 110.26.

However, not sure how that works as there is no provision in the code for a rule in Chapters 1-4 to modify a different rule in Chapters 1-4.
 
Fred B said:
Look at the difference between accessible vs readily accessible. Pool equipment disconnect must be readily accessible.

Also 680 modifies or supplements the other sections Look at 90.3 so 404.8 may apply generally 680.13 would supersede 404.

Why is the equipment being put on an elevated platform and what sort of equipment is it?

If this equipment is part of the equipment requiring emergency shut down per building code how fast can you climb up a 11ft ladder to an elevated platform to kill the power?
Click to expand...

OK, so the 680 supersede the 404. Good. Thanks.

The equipment must be on an elevated platform because it's in a flood zone (a lot changed after Hurricane Ian in South Florida).
Currently, the base flood elevation at this location is 11 FT, and all electrical equipment must be 1 FT above the base flood elevation (BFE) by local code.

I've never seen residential pool equipment with an emergency shutdown, but I could be wrong.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
If you have a platform, it must meet the requirements of 110.26(A). The access to elevated equipment without a platform, by portable means is permitted by 404.8(A)(2) and that acts as an exception to 110.26.

However, not sure how that works as there is no provision in the code for a rule in Chapters 1-4 to modify a different rule in Chapters 1-4.
Click to expand...

The colleague Fred B points it out well: since it's pool equipment, it must be readily accessible, so we need a platform and a fixed ladder.
But it's a good question and I think the code is a bit gray in that regard: If there is an exception to 110.26 in 404.8, which part, is the 30 inch workspace still required?
 
Charlypt said:
The colleague Fred B points it out well: since it's pool equipment, it must be readily accessible, so we need a platform and a fixed ladder.
But it's a good question and I think the code is a bit gray in that regard: If there is an exception to 110.26 in 404.8, which part, is the 30 inch workspace still required?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, if you provide a platform, with or without a permanent ladder, 110.26(A) applies to the platform.
 
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