I have an elevator installer telling me that the door to the elevator equipment room swings through the working space required by the NEC in front of the elevator control panel (which operates at 208 V), which is a violation of the NEC. I cannot see where the NEC does not allow a door to do this. The door has a closer on it, so it is to remain closed at all times, other than when entering or exiting the room. Does the door violate the NEC requirement for clear working space?
Door swinging through panel working space
- Thread starter darren71
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Re: Door swinging through panel working space
No, this is not a violation.
A service electrician or whoever can block the door while he/she worked here.
I find it to be pretty common that elevator installers interpret the NEC incorrectly.
Roger
[ March 05, 2004, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
No, this is not a violation.
A service electrician or whoever can block the door while he/she worked here.
I find it to be pretty common that elevator installers interpret the NEC incorrectly.
Roger
[ March 05, 2004, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
I believe that it is a violation for a door to swing into the dedicated working space. If panels are installed behind doors the there are several safety problems with doors able to hit the panels or workers working on panels. We limit architectural items from encroaching on the work space and a door is an architectural item. Never knowing when it is going to swing in or out of the space is asking for trouble. We have several inspectors that interpret it in this manner in our area. coe1@llnl.gov
I believe that it is a violation for a door to swing into the dedicated working space. If panels are installed behind doors the there are several safety problems with doors able to hit the panels or workers working on panels. We limit architectural items from encroaching on the work space and a door is an architectural item. Never knowing when it is going to swing in or out of the space is asking for trouble. We have several inspectors that interpret it in this manner in our area. coe1@llnl.gov
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
It typically has been commented on here that the door can swing into an electrical space. I don't see a problem or violation of 110.26.
It typically has been commented on here that the door can swing into an electrical space. I don't see a problem or violation of 110.26.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
fibuilder: You are discussing design issues, not code issues. My interpretation is that the dedicated electrical space is not violated by a door that swings through it. But as a design engineer, I would not want to put an electrician into the position of having to do something unusual (like blocking a door from opening), in order to maintain a safe working environment.
fibuilder: You are discussing design issues, not code issues. My interpretation is that the dedicated electrical space is not violated by a door that swings through it. But as a design engineer, I would not want to put an electrician into the position of having to do something unusual (like blocking a door from opening), in order to maintain a safe working environment.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
I like that idea. Thanks for sharing it.
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
I do that too Stanley. But corridors are even better. People can't block corridors with equipment or stuff to be stored, and there isn't any door to worry about when working on the panel.
Of course, the problem with corridors is that architects and clients don't like the panels where everyone can see them, and then a locking panel door is usually required.
Steve
I do that too Stanley. But corridors are even better. People can't block corridors with equipment or stuff to be stored, and there isn't any door to worry about when working on the panel.
Of course, the problem with corridors is that architects and clients don't like the panels where everyone can see them, and then a locking panel door is usually required.
Steve
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
Well, I sure as HE** would not want to be working on that panel with the door swinging open on me, possibly knocking me into a live electrical panel.
If you don't want the space if front of a panel used for storage it is much easier to mark that space with paint and place a sign there.
While I don't believe it violates any NEC code, a little common sense should prevail.
I certainly would feel more comfortable with this situation if the door had a permanently attached "door stop" to prevent it from opening into the space where it could hit someone and knock them into the panel.
Joe Myers
Well, I sure as HE** would not want to be working on that panel with the door swinging open on me, possibly knocking me into a live electrical panel.
If you don't want the space if front of a panel used for storage it is much easier to mark that space with paint and place a sign there.
While I don't believe it violates any NEC code, a little common sense should prevail.
I certainly would feel more comfortable with this situation if the door had a permanently attached "door stop" to prevent it from opening into the space where it could hit someone and knock them into the panel.
Joe Myers
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
Good point, Joe. I think the answer to the original question is that it does not violate the NEC to have the door swing through the working area. That notwithstanding, we all need to be aware of hazards around us, and cannot simply rely on the NEC as the sole source of safety considerations. Safety is our first duty, our own safety being no less important that that of anyone else.
Good point, Joe. I think the answer to the original question is that it does not violate the NEC to have the door swing through the working area. That notwithstanding, we all need to be aware of hazards around us, and cannot simply rely on the NEC as the sole source of safety considerations. Safety is our first duty, our own safety being no less important that that of anyone else.
Re: Door swinging through panel working space
Corridors/hallways are a great place for panels and we use them whenever we can get an architect to go along with us.
As far as being knocked into a panel. All of our people do in fact have door stops and know when to use them.
Painting the floor and using signage to keep a space clear is something that seems to work rather well on a plant floor. However, it's been our experience that once the panel is hidden away in an office storage room such measures are soon negated by piles and piles of material that sometimes hides the fact that a panel even exists in that room.
It's really a problem that as electrical contractor we have no power over.
Corridors/hallways are a great place for panels and we use them whenever we can get an architect to go along with us.
As far as being knocked into a panel. All of our people do in fact have door stops and know when to use them.
Painting the floor and using signage to keep a space clear is something that seems to work rather well on a plant floor. However, it's been our experience that once the panel is hidden away in an office storage room such measures are soon negated by piles and piles of material that sometimes hides the fact that a panel even exists in that room.
It's really a problem that as electrical contractor we have no power over.
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