Equipment access

[Scott Lindquist]

A GC wants us to remove a 3'diameter lighting fixture to gane access to some automatic temperature equipment located above the fixture that may require service from time to time. I dont like the sound of it,is this a code issue?

 

[charlie b]

Re: Equipment access

I don't quite follow. Is this already built? Are they asking you to remove the light and replace it with, say, an access panel? Is the light mounted in a suspended ceiling, or is the space above the light an attic? If the light fixture is not moved to a new location (or even temporarily removed while the temperature thingy is being adjusted), then how else will they be able to gain access?

 

[infinity]

Re: Equipment access

Sounds like the equipment is above the fixture in a non-accessible ceiling. If he removes the 3' fixture the controls above it now are accessible. According to the definition of Accessible in article 100 I'd say that it's OK since the fixture isn't part of the building structure or finish. Personally if it were my job to maintain the equipment I'd want better access.