Continous and unobstructed way of exit on equipment rated over 1200A

[Paulo]

Hi,
I'm working on an electrical room layout that would have over 1200A rated equipment and has a particular single exit, which in my opinion it can be considered as a valid "continuous and unobstructed way of exit" per NEC 2011 art.110.26 (C) (2) (a) and therefore a single exit door would be sufficient.

Please see attachment.

I appreciate you comments.

Cheers,
Paulo

 

[steve66]

In my opinion a single door is not code compliant. Someone could get trapped by the 500KVA transformer if the main 1600A switchboard started arcing.

An example of a continuous unobstructed path of egress would be if your 1600A switchboard were on the far left wall, so one could walk away from the switchboard toward the door.

With the layout you have shown, if you had double the required working space between the SWBD and the UPS, I believe that fits another exception, but it is clear double working space can't be provided.

 

[mwm1752]

IMO Disagree -- you have to cross infront of equipment to exit if you could get dbl clearance it would pass. -- Is this a new build or remodel?

 

[petersonra]

can you convert the 1600A equipment to be two 800A units?

 

[charlie b]

I also say it is not compliant, but I disagree with the reasons given by the other two members. I don't think it matters that you have to walk in front of the 1600A panel, if you happen to be near the left hand wall when an incident begins. I think the presumption is that you are standing within the working space of the "large equipment," in this case the 1600A panel and not one of the other items in the room, when the incident begins. The reason I think it is not compliant is that there is a wall that partially blocks the path of exit. I mean that if you are standing at the right hand side of the board, you can't see the door, and you can't get to the door by walking in a straight line.