Distance from Water Pipes to Panel???

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PageW

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Although I don't see anything in the NEC, is there an IBC or other code regulating the distance of plumbing pipes over a panel?? I have a customer buying a house. There are hot water baseboard heating pipes directly above the panel. Her inspector said the panel needs to be moved. Is that so??? I could sleep at night knowing that. I am in CT
 
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Does this help
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Thanks, Not sure but I will see. The pipes are only 3' above the panel. She is a good customer and I'm not looking to take advantage. The home inspector said it was no good but did not reference a code. Creates a slow down with the bank.
 
Home inspectors should not be giving code references. They merely point out the defect and let an expert determine the code issue. Do you have any photo's?
 
PageW said:
Although I don't see anything in the NEC, is there an IBC or other code regulating the distance of plumbing pipes over a panel?? I have a customer buying a house. There are hot water baseboard heating pipes directly above the panel. Her inspector said the panel needs to be moved. Is that so??? I could sleep at night knowing that. I am in CT
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You want to take a read of NEC 110.26(E)(1)(b) Foreign Systems.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(E)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
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My two cents' worth, in no particular order:

Home inspectors carry no legal weight; they're a buyer's tool. (pun very much intended)

What was legal at the time of installation may normally remain; let them prove it wasn't.

Are the pipes within the panel's depth, or above you when standing in front of the panel?

As Al pointed out, a simple half of a piece of PVC pipe could serve as a protective gutter.
 
They can be directly above the panel, if within the structural ceiling. Or if over 6 feet (IIRC) above.

They may be subject to needing a drip pan/shield if prone to leakage or condensation forming on them if otherwise permitted above the panel. Heating pipes usually isn't a problem though.
 
infinity said:
Home inspectors should not be giving code references. They merely point out the defect and let an expert determine the code issue. Do you have any photo's?
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Agreed and they certainly should not be formally suggesting solutions to a problem.

Roger
 
It is a violation of the NEC to have a pipe located directly above a panel unless, as has already been mentioned, it is more than 6 feet higher than the top of the panel and has a drip shield under it. It is not a violation if, as has already been mentioned, that the pipe is not directly above, but rather would be over your head as you stand in front of the panel. It sounds like you have a violation on your hands.

However, relocating the panel (i.e., to some other wall) is not the only option. Here are two other options:
  1. Move the panel further from the existing wall by mounting it on unistrut, so that the pipes are located above the empty space behind the panel.
  2. Cut the pipe on both sides of the panel and reroute it so that it no longer is directly above the panel.

Option 1 may or may not be easy, depending on how wires enter and leave the panel. If everything is in conduit, this will not be easy. Option 2 might be your best bet.
 
LarryFine said:
As Al pointed out, a simple half of a piece of PVC pipe could serve as a protective gutter.
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I have built a protective gutter out of roof flashing because I didn't think of PVC. I didn't have to buy it because it was in the dumpster.

Anyway there are cheaper solutions than moving the panel.
 
To finally put this conjecture to rest I would suggest a picture of the offending panel so that we can all see exactly where the pipe is in relation to the panel.

It seems the OP doesn't understand above from above and in front of.

Further, I would object to changing an existing installation that was already inspected by an electrical inspector and approved. Is this an original installation to the house or something the home owner did?

-Hal
 
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