Multifamily main breakers

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dnbob

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Rochester, MN
We are doing a multifaimily project out of state and talking to our inspector today, he told me that the tenant has to have access to their main disconnect for their condo. We have been installing the multimeter sections behind lock and key for sometime, and have never had a problem. I thought the code only required that their branch breakers be accessable?
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

look at 230.72 (C), & 230.70 (A) (1), service
disconnects must be readily accessible and each
occupant shall have access to the occupants service disconnecting means, also read the
exception.
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

Jim, that is absolutely stupid.

What is the reason for this forum? I can't seem to find the part in the opening page where it encourages us to find ways to be in violation of the NEC and not get caught.

Roger
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

Bob
230.72(C)Exception
This is the reference that most use to be able to lock the service for the multifamily, so as not to have to worry about one tenant possibly handling the wrong service disconnect.

Pierre
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

Pierre,
In my opinion that exception cannot be used unless there is an employee of the building management company onsite 24/7. In this area, that would be very rare.
Don
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

In Jim's defense, I think he was just being sarcastic.

And after thinking about it a minute, how can anyone hold the electrician responsible for which tenants have keys to the disconnects? For that matter, the electrician also doesn't have any control over what locks the building owners install.

I think the responsibility for complying largely falls on the building management or the owners.

Steve
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

Since it sounds like all the disconnects are in the same room, is there a way that each disconnect can somehow be locked and each tenant is given a key for their disconnect only? I wouldn't like the idea of someone else being able to turn off my power. Funny Jim, I get it! :D
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

Originally posted by don_resqcapt19: In my opinion that exception cannot be used unless there is an employee of the building management company onsite 24/7.
Click to expand...
I agree. I can see no other way to interpret the word ?continuous,? in the phrase ?. . . where these are under continuous building management supervision. . . .?

To give a bit of wiggle room, however, I would say that that representative need not be awake 24/7. A person living at the facility could be ?hired? by the building management to be available at all times, and to make sure someone else is present at the site if they leave for any reason. If I have to wake up this representative at 3:00 in the morning, in order to get to my service disconnect, then I perceive that that is what the management pays the person to do.
 
Re: Multifamily main breakers

i don't think sleeping behind a locked door, probably not prone to answering either phone or doorbell after reasonable hours, passes as "continuous" supervision. this is for high rise type residences where there are enough actual residences to require this type of supervision. each occupant needs access.

paul :cool:
 
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