Main electrical room

[anbm]

In warehouse bldg. and industrial space, I assume a main electrical room won't be needed, the panels, xfmrs can be installed along the wall as long as all clearances per NEC are met?

What is the reason to have main electrical room anyway, is it code? If there is no elec. room, will the main panel, branch panels need to be locked?

I am not talking about commercial building or other nice building.

 

[PaulMmn]

You should consider a wire-mesh 'cage' around the equipment to keep things from being stacked right in front of the panels. Keep the clearances clear!

And, thoroughly anchored bollards to keep the forklifts away!

 

[ron]

Usually there is an electrical room with a door just to keep the honest people honest.

Electricity can be dangerous and the regular riff raff that can be roaming an industrial building can get in trouble touching the wrong thing by accident.

 

[augie47]

If there is no electrical room where in the world does one store all the overstock, janitorial supplies, and ladders, etc. ?

 

[texie]

If there is no electrical room where in the world does one store all the overstock, janitorial supplies, and ladders, etc. ?

Excellent point!

 

[charlie b]

Just to be the first to actually answer your question, the NEC does not require electrical panels to be located in a room, locked or otherwise. The only NEC requirements have to do with working clearance, dedicated space above and below certain specific components, and (possibly) a second exit from the working space. I agree with the suggestions of putting a cage around the working space and adding bollards to keep the hot rod lift truck drivers at bay. Good ideas: yes. Code requirements: no.