Furnace Disconnect if there are internal breakers???

[Apprenti]

I'm sorry if this question has been answered 100 times over, but I've gone too far down the rabbit hole and am drowning in info. I can't seem to find the straight answer I want.

Single family dwelling. The furnace is in the garage, being fed by a meter main outside, opposite end of the house. Standard dwelling furnace.

My question, do the readily accessible breakers on the furnace count as a disconnect?

The breaker feeding the furnace in the meter main shouldn't need a lock if there are readily accessible breakers on the furnace?

Thank you!

 

[infinity]

My question, do the readily accessible breakers on the furnace count as a disconnect?

A integral circuit breaker can serve as the disconnecting means for the furnace.

 

[LarryFine]

. . . as long as it's externally accessible without tools.

 

[Apprenti]

A integral circuit breaker can serve as the disconnecting means for the furnace.

Thank you, that's all I need to hear!

 

[infinity]

. as long as it's externally accessible without tools.

Correct, he did say that it was readily accessible.

 

[Little Bill]

They can be the disconnect, but some say not OCPD. My unit has a tag on it saying as much.

 

[gadfly56]

I recall something about units installed in basements requiring a cutoff switch at the head of the stairs. It might be a NJ thing.

 

[infinity]

I recall something about units installed in basements requiring a cutoff switch at the head of the stairs. It might be a NJ thing.

Typically only required for oil heat.

 

[kwired]

Typically only required for oil heat.

And not required by NEC, has to be some other code requiring that.

I do run into needing an emergency shutdown method near boiler room entries to shut down at minimum the boiler control power - again by other codes.

 

[Eddie702]

I recall something about units installed in basements requiring a cutoff switch at the head of the stairs. It might be a NJ thing.

Switches outside the furnace/boiler room are required on commercial equipment for gas and oil equipment. Not only outside the room but at EVERY entrance to the room. This is an ASME requirement for boilers. Not always enforced.

As far as residential goes they are required in many states for oil. I have never heard of them required for gas (which makes no sense) but it is more of a local requirement I believe. MA requires them outside the basement or furnace room for oil. CT for instance would allow them inside the stairwell. In MA they have to be in an accessible visible location. (people used to hide them in closets)

I once had a service call on an oil boiler and had no power at the boiler. Figured out it was the ES switch. Traced the cable and had trouble finding the switch. Finally found it in the closet. Someone had moved some clothes and hit the switch inadvertently

 

[gadfly56]

Typically only required for oil heat.

Ahhh! That's why my last house had one. I'm trying to remember if my parent's house has one at the top of the stairs; they have gas heat.

 

[infinity]

Ahhh! That's why my last house had one. I'm trying to remember if my parent's house has one at the top of the stairs; they have gas heat.

Yeah gas heat doesn't require one although they did several decades ago. My current home built in 1997 with natural gas never had one at the top of the stairs.

 

[gadfly56]

Yeah gas heat doesn't require one although they did several decades ago. My current home built in 1997 with natural gas never had one at the top of the stairs.

My parents' house was built in 1961.

 

[Bill_F]

My parents very old house (30's ?) had oil heat located in the basement.
Top of the stairs was a switch with a red "emergency" shut off cover plate.

 

[hbiss]

As far as residential goes they are required in many states for oil. I have never heard of them required for gas (which makes no sense)

Matter of fact they are prohibited for gas. Reason being is that if the occupant smells gas they don't want them turning off a switch. Just get out and call 911 when they are safely away from the building.

-Hal

 

[gadfly56]

My parents very old house (30's ?) had oil heat located in the basement.
Top of the stairs was a switch with a red "emergency" shut off cover plate.

Exactly the same a mine.

 

[kwired]

Matter of fact they are prohibited for gas. Reason being is that if the occupant smells gas they don't want them turning off a switch. Just get out and call 911 when they are safely away from the building.

-Hal

I don't know if I buy that. Boilers in many cases still require emergency stop means near boiler room entrances, if gas is involved it is not a part of any reasoning for the required shut down method.