Common Area Circuits

[charlie b]

Sorry, but I must withdraw my earlier comment. I had not noticed that we were talking about an office building. Mea culpa.

I don't see a code problem. And if this causes a problem with the other tenants (e.g., loss of corridor lighting while the owner is away on vacation and nobody can get to the house panel in the owner's space), then that is a matter between the owner and the tenants.

 

[steve66]

I missed the office part also. So 210.25 doesn't apply.

 

[George Stolz]

I am leaving this one in the hands of the Fire Marshal.

Good call.

I don't see a compelling concern, just poor design, IMO. The owner would be liable for a sprained ankle whether power is cut off from a house panel breaker or a tenant panel. In our lawsuit-happy world, I'd say there is a heightened liability, but if they are foolish enough to remove a panel that was likely already bid and paid for, then more power to them.

People are weird.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I am leaving this one in the hands of the Fire Marshal. I have requested a plan revision from the design professional showing the house panel deleted and the common area lighting on the unit panelboard. Any future complaints or issues with the lighting would fall under the jurisdiction of the Fire Marshal, usually through complaints to the Police Department.

I dont think you should even be inspecting this untill revised prints ran thru county.Does the fire marshal view the prints before the permit is issued ?This could turn ugly if you and county approved it and firemarshall says he demands the house panel.

 

[George Stolz]

Not that ugly, if he says, "I'm leaving this up to the Fire Marshall. Here's your green sticker."