Accessible Ceiling area

[andy@advancelectric.com]

Dear Forum

I got this note on a set of mixed used plans. First floor all commercial over concrete podium, 3 more floors sticks. Typical residential units with NO attic space.
"Flush mounted panelboards/load centers shall have a minimum of 1 3/4" CO installed from the panel to Accessible ceiling area for every four branch circuits spares or spaces."

Contractor wants me to run conduits into residential bathrooms drop ceilings not attic accessible space.

Where on the NEC I can find out what is considered Accessible ceiling area.

Thanks for any help.

 

[letgomywago]

Dear Forum

I got this note on a set of mixed used plans. First floor all commercial over concrete podium, 3 more floors sticks. Typical residential units with NO attic space.
"Flush mounted panelboards/load centers shall have a minimum of 1 3/4" CO installed from the panel to Accessible ceiling area for every four branch circuits spares or spaces."

Contractor wants me to run conduits into residential bathrooms drop ceilings not attic accessible space.

Where on the NEC I can find out what is considered Accessible ceiling area.

Thanks for any help.

Above a drop ceiling is accessible but not readily accessible. Accessible is in the definitions of the NEC. Pretty typical to do conduit to junctions in a drop ceiling then to change over to cables. Other than 1 and 2 family dwellings romex isn't allowed above those so keep that in mind also.

 

[Carultch]

Generally, if you can get to it without irreversibly cutting through building materials, it is considered accessible. And if you can get to it with "nothing" other than the clothes on your back, and no obstacles are in your way (like a ceiling tile), it's readily accessible. I put "nothing" in quotes, because locks & keys are a special exception to this rule.

This is one of the advantage of suspended ceilings (and less common, their counterpart: the raised floor). It gives you a hidden place to run the MEP utilities throughout the building, and a way to get back to them at a later date without major surgery to permanently-installed drywall.