I have an existing electrical room that has multiple panels and transformers. To access this electrical room currently you have to pass through a storage room that is accessible. They are doing renovations and want to repurpose this storage room into a unisex bathroom. IMO this cannot be done because access to the electrical room access would be limited by the use of the bathroom. What would be the best code reference if this is the case?
Electrical Room Access
- Thread starter Jgardiner
- Start date
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
Not sure the NEC addresses that. Probably more of a building code issue
Elect117
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Engineer E.E. P.E.
There are some code sections on large switchgear that require doors open out (into your bathroom) and have panic hardware.
I don't know of anything specifically limiting how access to or egress from the electrical room is achieved.
I don't know of anything specifically limiting how access to or egress from the electrical room is achieved.
Could be sir. Gender neutral bathroom."WHY are you in my restroom ?"
"Just checking for shorts,, mam"
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Who knows these days what the proper pronoun is. Apparently there are now some that are completely made up words.
As for accessing it thru a bathroom, I don't see it as an issue. The door is allowed to be locked and it is not as if access is really something required immediately.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
How is access through the new 'bathroom' any different than it is now through a storage room?
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
What emergency would require that quick access?
I have to climb ladders to access electrical rooms built on mezzanine and roofs.
gadfly56
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
Why, do you have a bad shoulder?
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
If you had a bathroom emergency you would also have to wait.
In any case there is no requirement in the code for immediate access to a panelboard.
rc/retired
Senior Member
- Location
- Bellvue, Colorado
- Occupation
- Master Electrician/Inspector retired
Elect117
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Engineer E.E. P.E.
Maybe also ask the utility? If their meter is inside that room they might quote some obscure rule about access.
gadfly56
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
It took me a week to get that. I am so thick, sometimes.
jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
Make your case to anyone who will listen. This is trouble and later on the song will be "Why didn't you bring this to our attention?":. Argue it and document as much as possible. Send e mails if you are connected. Write memos if not.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Agreed, the idea of the electrical room being accessed through a bathroom is just bad. Seen many incidences that the key was locked inside the bathroom, or they "accidentally" pushed the lock button after the person left, and had to get a locksmith to open the door. Took several days in a couple of cases.
Had one that someone had done just that design and it led to a lot of screaming when exiting the electrical room into an unknowingly "occupied" bathroom.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
It's not like you typically need immediate access to the electrical room. It does not seem to me like there is a good answer to the problem. They likely needed a bathroom and there are only so many places they can go.
It is not ideal maybe but no worse than having to go thru a locked storage room to get to the electrical closet, which no one would object to.
It is not ideal maybe but no worse than having to go thru a locked storage room to get to the electrical closet, which no one would object to.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
These are all operational issues. How often is the electrical room accessed?
Lock the bathroom door when using the electrical room.
Leave the access door open when using the electrical room.
Use a deadbolt style instead of a pushbutton one.
Key the bathroom door the same as the electric room.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Not exactly safe if there is an emergency situation for the electrician.