Is this an unobstructed egress? 110.26(C)(2)(a)

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From what you are showing, I would say this looks unobstructed. However, I would want to know how the covers are opened for whatever work you have to do. If the covers unscrew and are taken off completely, this would confirm (to me, at least) that the egress path is unobstructed. But if the section on the left has a swinging access cover with its hinges on the right side, and with a swing of no more than 90 degrees, then a person working on that section would have the access cover between their body and the exit door. I would call that an obstruction.
 
I would think that the hinged doors would not be the issue if there were any, as the egress is to the rear out of the workspace and towards the door.
 
To me, "unobstructed" means "line of sight," not "take two steps back, then turn towards the exit." If, while you are working, you cannot see the exit door because the equipment's cover is in your line of sight, the path is obstructed by the cover. But then, I am nobody's AHJ.
 
I agree - the equipment doors could be an issue.

Even if they aren't, I'm not sure I would call that unobstructed. If the middle section faults, and shoots out flames, a person standing in front of the lower section would be trapped. So my vote is for obstructed.

To comply, they would either have to stretch the 5'-6" depth to a full 2x the working space (at least 6' - more for 480V). Or I would say a wider double door would give a person room to exit without having to cross in front of the middle section.
 
The opening in the concrete wall is not the egress. The opening in the door frame is the egress. Your measurement line needs to be a little longer.
 
You could avoid the "large equipment" requirement (if that's what you are trying to do), but providing each of the distribution sections separately, leaving a small visual air gap and cabling between them. Many AHJs would not consider that equipment over 6 f t wide. It wouldn't be a single piece of equipment in the line up.
 
How can the obstruction be determined by the method of servicing the equipment? We cannot control a method of work for each individual. true door swing for access to equipment may play a part in decision.
Since there is options to place covers out of the path of egress and there is no obstructions in egress as shown in the drawing (also assuming no issues with clearances) the exit appears compliant.
 
mwm1752 said:
Since there is options to place covers out of the path of egress . . . .
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My point was that we don't know that, yet. If that is true, I have already said I thought it would be compliant. If the covers are hinged and not easily removable, that changes the game.

 
charlie b said:
...If the covers are hinged and not easily removable, that changes the game.
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Why?

If the worker creates an obstacle, how is that the designers fault? If work is being done on the far left cubicle, then it is up to the worker to make sure the center doors are kept closed, just like they need to make sure their tool boxes are not obstacles.
 
jim dungar said:
Why?

If the worker creates an obstacle, how is that the designers fault? If work is being done on the far left cubicle, then it is up to the worker to make sure the center doors are kept closed, just like they need to make sure their tool boxes are not obstacles.
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How am I going to keep the door shut in the section I am working on?

Remove it? Sure sometimes that is easy and when it is I tend to do so for my own convenience.

However many of them are designed in a way that makes removing the door very difficult or they have wiring on the door for meters etc.
 
jim dungar said:
If the worker creates an obstacle, how is that the designers fault?
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As a design engineer, it is my responsibility to avoid issuing a design that could prevent the worker from having a safe work environment, a design that at the same time makes it difficult for the worker to render the work environment safe. Part of the problem is that the equipment is often selected long after my design is issued, and my role has ended. So if I issue a design that takes advantage of the "unobstructed path" option, and that has only one egress path from the working space, and that assumed the covers could be completely removed, and if the contractor buys equipment that has hinged doors, is this something that I could have prevented? Maybe. If I am being paid for construction administration services, and if I am sent the submittal for the equipment, and if I fail to notice the hinged covers, then yes, the responsibility does fall upon my shoulders. That is what I have to accept, when I sign and seal a design document.

 
iwire said:
How am I going to keep the door shut in the section I am working on?

Remove it? Sure sometimes that is easy and when it is I tend to do so for my own convenience.

However many of them are designed in a way that makes removing the door very difficult or they have wiring on the door for meters etc.
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So we need to design working space requirements for when the equipment you are working on becomes the obstacle. It appears that all working depth should actually be measured from the open edge of any hinged equipment door.
 
charlie b said:
..."unobstructed path" option....
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Is this 'unobstructed path' interpretation used in any other code? Most building and Fire Codes, that I have seen, talk about unobstructed egress paths from occupied 'areas'. They do not require unobstructed egress from thins like bathrooms or work cubicles.

Personally, I am not too keen on most 'hallway type' installing where there is a single exit and only a 1x working depth, regardless if it is only 800A equipment less than 6' wide.
 
I am wondering if you commenters see something I can't. I see comments mentioning equipment and such. I cannot see a legend. Are y'all assuming what the room contains?
 
tadavidson said:
I am wondering if you commenters see something I can't. I see comments mentioning equipment and such. I cannot see a legend. Are y'all assuming what the room contains?
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Let’s take the floor plan and identify each section of MDP starting at the top section A is 2’11” wide, section B is 3”4” wide in the middle & section C is 3”4” wide in the corner.
All of the sections hinge on the right hand corner & open up to a max of 90 degrees. If you have opened section C the door is 4” past the dotted clearances lines on the plan. Your path working on section C is greatly hindered.
Best case, you would hinge section A on the right & sections B & C on the left. IMO
If all the covers come off for servicing then I have no control over where the serviceman places them.
 
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