NEC Code 210.26 Working Space clearance

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dlegrand@lectrus.com

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Houston, TX. USA
We have an electrical enclosure that houses 15kV gear and the structure requires support post to be installed in front of the gear within 3 feet. One option presented was to install all support post that can be removed for maintenance with a sign on the post. The sign would be word as below:

POSTIS REMOVABLE FOR MAINTANENCE ACCESS. DO NOT REMOVE ADJACENT POSTS”

Would like some feedback on how this would be interpreted in the NEC.
 
We often put equipment in tight closets, where the door needs to be opened to provide the working clearance, but your situation seems a bit more sever that opening a door.

240.24 says that overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible

Definition: Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

So if the column interferes with overcurrent devices, I think it wouldn't be Readily Accessible anymore
 
seems a structural support should not be an optional piece of the structure -- If you are required to comply with 110.26 structure shall not encroach in the clearances
 
iwire said:
There is no storage allowed in the work space so I would say no.

I bet an OSHA inspection would fail it as well
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I see removable bollards all the time, for protection of equipment from vehicular traffic. How does this apply to them?

If it is a structural support, I'd say it is a violation to require removing a structural member for electrical equipment servicing. If it needs servicing in the middle of a snowstorm, you don't want to have to remove a column that will collapse a roof, just to service electrical equipment.
 
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