J Box clearance

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We installed home runs with junction boxes used for pulling and make up purposes and then the fire skrinkler contractor installed his pipe and we have a few areas where his pipe is in front of our j box. The inspector called us on it and I'm gathering my ammunition to have it out with him. (figuratively, don't go calling police on me)
 
georgeswe said:
We installed home runs with junction boxes used for pulling and make up purposes and then the fire skrinkler contractor installed his pipe and we have a few areas where his pipe is in front of our j box. The inspector called us on it and I'm gathering my ammunition to have it out with him. (figuratively, don't go calling police on me)
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Dang pipefitters.

DSC02889a.jpg
 
georgeswe said:
^ NIIICEEEE !! Man that electrician installed the 2x4 behind that piping !!
WHAT a *** !!!
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Um... no. Luminaire was there first. Then the pipefitter.

As proof, here's an earlier shot (light is at center left)

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You can barely make out the hanger, and the pipe stubbed out of the CMU wall, but the pipe does not extend under the light. I figured the pipefitters were going to 90 or T just short of the light, but they replaced it with another pipe that was longer, and the T ended up under the light.

If the pipe (as shown in the close-up) had been installed prior to the light, I would have told the GC to have the pipefitters move it first.
 
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I see my sarcasm doesn't translate well in Forum Posts ;-)

I'm still looking, the only thing I can find is 300.15 (A) "the covers shall be accessible..." which i think is saying you cannot bury a box in a wall but nothing about frontal clearance of J box for access.

I'm beginning to think it doesn't exist....

...or I'm getting old...........
 
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I think that the code talks about clearance and access. And unfortunately the latter is VERY subjective unless exactly spelled out in a code. However there are so many variables that its is impossible to write down and cover all the angles.

I'm beginning to think that the 6" clearance in front of a J box was just what the way I learned waayyyyy back in the day and never in the NEC. It may have derived from the free conductor section (300.14) or just became common practice. I think the term would better be described as "accessible" and as long as I can make a good argument to prove my point the inspector will tell me his view. We will both be "right" but I'll be moving some junction boxes !!
 
georgeswe said:
We installed home runs with junction boxes used for pulling and make up purposes and then the fire skrinkler contractor installed his pipe and we have a few areas where his pipe is in front of our j box. The inspector called us on it and I'm gathering my ammunition to have it out with him. (figuratively, don't go calling police on me)
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You might try 300.15(A). Although I think there may be a issue with the sprinkler code . But I'm pretty weak in that area.
 
110.26 requires "safe and ready access" to "all electrical equipment". This would include a junction box. That is as close to a code requirement that you are going to find for this.
 
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