Clearance for 2000 amp service

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NYC Elect

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On a job I am on, there is a 2000 amp service in a (so called) electric room. I know you need at least 3' (110.26(1)) of clearance from face to wall. In this situation there is only 2'. But, what the GC did, was build a door in front of every piece of switchgear. The doors open out and they say it is now more than 3' of clearance. Is this a legal fix or will it not pass inspection?
 
While I agree it's cheesey, it will probably pass.

My thought is a panel in a bedroom is sometimes located behind the door ~ effectively 0" clearance ...until the door is opened.

The AHJ may see things differently when "on site".
 
You didn't give us the voltage, so I will assume it is 120/208.

If you can take a piece of chalk and draw a line on the floor, starting from the left edge of each section (i.e., where the door or cover to the enclosure starts), then away from the gear by 36 inches, and draw another similar line starting at the right edge of each section, and if there is at least 30 inches between the two lines, and if there is nothing (like a wall or a door) within the two lines, then it passes. But I agree this is a cheesy solution.
 
Yes, the voltage is 120/208...They are using 34" doors directly in front of each piece of switchgear...the length of the room is approx. 25' and there will be 5 doors...Its really a sight to see.
 
I can't say it won't pass inspection, but it definitely should not. In drawing this conclusion I made one assumption: the gear associated with this 2000A service is a multi-section enclosure (typically with no spacing) and overall dimensions exceed either the height or width of one door frame. Clear space is clear space. Door frames and walls do not meet that criteria!
 
NYC Elect said:
Yes, the voltage is 120/208...They are using 34" doors directly in front of each piece of switchgear...the length of the room is approx. 25' and there will be 5 doors...Its really a sight to see.
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If there is no spacing between sections of switchgear, the doorframes, adjoining wall sections are a violation.

ref: 110.26(A)(2)


If the height of the doors are less than the height of the gear or 6 1/2', whichever is greater, it is a violation.

ref: 110.26(A)(3) and (E)
 
The whole things sounds like a violation to me. Where did the GC get his information permitting something like this?
 
infinity said:
The whole things sounds like a violation to me. Where did the GC get his information permitting something like this?
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Probably got it from doing something quite similar with subpanels, aka an electrical closet. I have seen many of these. Never for switchgear though.
 
Exactly my thoughts.


Switchgear is not your "let's hide this eyesore behind a door" item.
It needs an entire room, properly sized with proper egress, etc.

Although the end result is that is hidden behind a door ;)
 
Even with those 5 doors, I still see door frames and bits of wall in the working space. Is it an arrangement something like this? :

workinspecepuzzle.jpg
 
By the sounds of it, your situation doesn't even come close to meeting the code requirements. Sounds like they'd better do a bit more engineering. Tell the GC it doesn't comply. Make sure you note that you told the GC to cover your hind end for when they find out his solution doesn't comply.
 
I don't believe it's the EC responsibility to follow the framing print - the EC doesn't build the wall.

Someone screwed up, that's for sure.
 
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