Definitions: Readily Accessible

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Dvigeant

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I am having a little trouble with the definition of "Readily Accessible." I have an emergency generator with a main circuit breaker behind a door. The door can be locked but is not.

a. Is the circuit breaker "Readily Accessible"? Based on the local inspector the answer is no. A service disconnect is required.

b. If a service disconnect is required, how do I make the service disconnect not accessible to unauthorized persons. Answer given: Put a pad lock on it.

I can see how the definition is a little ambigous however I thought the handbook clarified it nicely. He indicated that that the handbook reference was for room doors only not doors on the equipment.

The question is this:
Can the definition for "Accessible" be used in addition to "Accesible, Readily" since it contains the word "Accessible?"

"Accessible" states clearly that locked doors are not allowed.
 
Read the definitions of "Accessible" and "Readily Accessible" in article 100.
Accessible means that it cannot be "guarded by locked doors". Readily accessible does not contain that statement, so locked doors are OK. Service equipment is required to be "readily accessible" so it may be located in a locked room. I am sure you have seen panel covers that have locks built into them. This is fine because they only need to be readily accessible. If the code required them to be accessible, locks would not be allowed. Unfortunately 445.18 which requires a generator disconnecting means does not define whether it is to be accessible or readily accessible, but since a service disconnecting means is only required to be readily accessible (230.70(A)(1)) we may be able to assume (dangerous to do sometimes) the same requirement for a generator disconnect. Think of it this way; when the code says readily accessible they have actually left out some words. What they are saying is that the "disconnect can readily be made accessible" by unlocking the door or panel cover. This is a good example of the code using words differently than we do in everyday language.
 
I found this at OSHA ,.. I'll post the link ,...The stuff in red is 110.26(G) in the 08 NEC it reads as follows

Electrical rooms or enclosures housing electrical apparatus that are controlled by a locked(s) shall be considered accessible to qualified persons
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Question: Does locking the electrical panels operating at 600 volts or less (to control access by unauthorized employees) violate OSHA electrical requirements for not being "Readily accessible" in the event of an emergency?

Response: In accordance with 29 CFR 1910.399, Readily accessible is defined as "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, chairs, etc." This definition, however, does not preclude the use of a lock on the disconnecting means (circuit breakers panel), provided those, for whom ready access may be necessary, have a key (or lock combination) available. Additionally, the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2005, Article 110.26, partly states, "Enclosures housing electrical apparatus that are controlled by a lock(s) shall be considered accessible to qualified persons." Please note that the use of multiple locks, which requires different keys or combinations, on disconnecting switches may preclude the installation from being accessible or readily accessible to a particular individual who is authorized to access the panel.
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Edit to add the link http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25159
 
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Would the fact this is a manufactured assembly designed with the enclosure and locks play into this at all?
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Where is the generator located? The issue may not be accessibility.
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The generator is locate approximately 10' from the wall. On the other side of the wall is the 4 pole transfer switch.
 
haskindm said:
Read the definitions of "Accessible" and "Readily Accessible" in article 100.
Accessible means that it cannot be "guarded by locked doors". Readily accessible does not contain that statement, so locked doors are OK. Service equipment is required to be "readily accessible" so it may be located in a locked room. I am sure you have seen panel covers that have locks built into them. This is fine because they only need to be readily accessible. If the code required them to be accessible, locks would not be allowed. Unfortunately 445.18 which requires a generator disconnecting means does not define whether it is to be accessible or readily accessible, but since a service disconnecting means is only required to be readily accessible (230.70(A)(1)) we may be able to assume (dangerous to do sometimes) the same requirement for a generator disconnect. Think of it this way; when the code says readily accessible they have actually left out some words. What they are saying is that the "disconnect can readily be made accessible" by unlocking the door or panel cover. This is a good example of the code using words differently than we do in everyday language.
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I did read the definitions, thats why I questioned this call by the inspector. My question was if a word is defined in the code "Accessible", and then the word is used again as a group of words in a further definition "Accessible, Readibily" does the definition carry. I agree with you answer and designed the system as such. However, I thought I would see if there was anyone that agreed with his view because we do work nation wide.

I would also like to refer you to section 720.12 (B)(6) where it does indicate that as long as the disconnect is readily accessible another disconnect is not needed. I know this is basicaly indicating if you need a main on the panelboard it is feeding but it does reference the disconnect only needing to be readily accessible not just accessible.
 
If I had to guess , I'd say the issue is the "within sight" requirement. It has been interpreted that it is the disconnect and not the generator that needs to be seen
 
as way of example ;
    1. Does the disconnecting means for the emergency generator described in Section 700.12(B)(6) have to be located on the outside of the generator housing to be considered “within sight from” the building or structure?
    • Yes, Section 700.12 (B) (6) requires an outdoor housed generator set to be equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means that is located within site from the building or structure the generator is supplying. This was verified in Proposal No. 13-123 (log# 1017) for the 2005 NEC. In this proposal, the panel statement was clear that the disconnecting means was the subject of the “in site from” requirement.
    • Consideration must be given to Section 225.36 as these requirements have not been amended by Section 700.12 (B) (6)
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    http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:GxOjEMJ3cE4J:www.iaei.org/aboutus/pdf/Jubilee_Code_Questions_Answers_R.doc+700.12+(b)+(6)+within+sight&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
 
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