Define Acceseible

[georgeswe]

We are working on a project where the acustical ceilings are @ 9' AFF and the main homerun junction boxes are mounted at 16' AFF. Could someone please help me define Accesible if I can get a ladder between the Acoustical grid and safely work on these junction boxes would this be concidered accesible. Per the definition in the NEC:

Accesible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.


We are not doing any damage to the acoustical grid we are just accessing through it, Could anyone help provide me with Electrical/building codes that may help me "convincing the inspector that this is installation is up to code" or convince me that Im an idiot (may be easy to do, my wife has a easy time of it)

thanks for your replys ahead of time

georgeswe

 

[Buck Parrish]

It sounds accessible to me. According to art 100

 

[SiddMartin]

Installation is fine with me. You have met the req. of the code

 

[celtic]

Your good to go under the definition of Accesible (as applied to wiring methods) [Art. 100]

It may not be easy to get 6' above a drop ceiling, but it is accessible.

....oh, and don't forget to tie off

 

[mdshunk]

That not only sounds accessible, but I'd say it's even normal.

The definition of accessible does not contain the words "easy" or "fun". It does not even contain a requirement that every single electrician even be able to access it. In your situation, a very overweight man or a man afraid of heights might not be able to access it, but you and I sure could. It would suck, but we could access it. The one Wal-Mart I do work in has a scissors lift purposely the size of a drop ceiling tile to get way, way above the tiles.

 

[resistance]

---Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.



---------Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.




--------------Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth

 

[raider1]

I agree, what you have described would be accessible.

Chris

 

[cowboyjwc]

As long as you can get to it, somehow, I would say it's good.

 

[ItsHot]

define....

define....

Define.."physical damage", "workman's like manner" etc., etc.!!

 

[aftershock]

That chandalier installed in foyer <sP> that is 16' above finished floor is not accessable unless I :
am not afraid of heights
can obtain the correct equipment to access it.
and can do this without either damaging the chandalier, house or myself.
Did I mention, I have had to do this quite a few times on newer homes.

 

[weressl]

We are working on a project where the acustical ceilings are @ 9' AFF and the main homerun junction boxes are mounted at 16' AFF. Could someone please help me define Accesible if I can get a ladder between the Acoustical grid and safely work on these junction boxes would this be concidered accesible. Per the definition in the NEC:

Accesible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.


We are not doing any damage to the acoustical grid we are just accessing through it, Could anyone help provide me with Electrical/building codes that may help me "convincing the inspector that this is installation is up to code" or convince me that Im an idiot (may be easy to do, my wife has a easy time of it)

thanks for your replys ahead of time

georgeswe

The acoustical ceiling grids are designed so that equipment located in the ceiling cavity can accessed and serviced.

Now I really have a hard time imagining sticking an extention ladder through the grid AND finding a support point to stabilize the ladder. (I am not saying it's impossible, just dicey.)

 

[infinity]

I agree with the rest of the crowd that accessing the box doesn't need to be easy it just needs to be possible. You could use a pogo stick if that works to reach the box above a ceiling. :roll:

 

[Inspectorcliff]

We are working on a project where the acustical ceilings are @ 9' AFF and the main homerun junction boxes are mounted at 16' AFF. Could someone please help me define Accesible if I can get a ladder between the Acoustical grid and safely work on these junction boxes would this be concidered accesible. Per the definition in the NEC:

Accesible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.


We are not doing any damage to the acoustical grid we are just accessing through it, Could anyone help provide me with Electrical/building codes that may help me "convincing the inspector that this is installation is up to code" or convince me that Im an idiot (may be easy to do, my wife has a easy time of it)

thanks for your replys ahead of time

georgeswe

Tell your inspector to toughin up!!