Locking Disconnect on outdoor refrigeration condensing unit

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DJQuinlivan

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Salt Lake City UT
A food preparation facility has locked the outdoor disconnect to a refrigeration condensing unit in the on (energized) position to prevent vandals from shutting it off.
An OSHA reference for a building service entrance disconnect from 2004 states:
There is no provision inthe OSHA regulations that prohibits locking the disconnecting means in theclosed (on) position. The OSHA rule at 29 CFR 1910.304(d)(1) requires that "thedisconnecting means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closedposition and shall be installed at a readily accessible location nearest thepoint-of-entrance of service-entrance conductors." In accordance with 29CFR 1910.399, readily accessible is defined as "capable of beingreached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections, without requiring thoseto whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or toresort to portable ladders, chairs, etc." The definition of readilyaccessible does not preclude the use of a locked door for service equipmentor the use of a lock on the disconnecting means, provided those for whom readyaccess may be necessary have a key (or lock combination) available. Pleasenote, however, that the use of multiple locks or keys on disconnecting switchesmay preclude the installation from being readily accessible.

Does any know of an NEC or NFPA 70E reference that prevents this facility from locking this in an on (energized) position.?

 
It is not intended to be an emergency switch, just a switch for servicing the unit.

There is no code I am aware of prohibiting locking them on.
 
DJQuinlivan said:
A food preparation facility has locked the outdoor disconnect to a refrigeration condensing unit in the on (energized) position to prevent vandals from shutting it off.
An OSHA reference for a building service entrance disconnect from 2004 states:
There is no provision inthe OSHA regulations that prohibits locking the disconnecting means in theclosed (on) position. The OSHA rule at 29 CFR 1910.304(d)(1) requires that "thedisconnecting means shall plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closedposition and shall be installed at a readily accessible location nearest thepoint-of-entrance of service-entrance conductors." In accordance with 29CFR 1910.399, readily accessible is defined as "capable of beingreached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections, without requiring thoseto whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or toresort to portable ladders, chairs, etc." The definition of readilyaccessible does not preclude the use of a locked door for service equipmentor the use of a lock on the disconnecting means, provided those for whom readyaccess may be necessary have a key (or lock combination) available. Pleasenote, however, that the use of multiple locks or keys on disconnecting switchesmay preclude the installation from being readily accessible.

Does any know of an NEC or NFPA 70E reference that prevents this facility from locking this in an on (energized) position.?
Click to expand...

What does a disconnect installed to de-energize the unit for maintenance have to do with service entrance conductors to a building?
 
Reference to Building Disconnect

Reference to Building Disconnect

Thanks to those of you that posted a response.
The OSHA reference was included because it was the only information on their site that even remotely addressed the issue.
Our recommendation to the facility on our campus is to have the disconnect labelled with a contact name and phone number so we could get it shut off if needed.
 
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