New 2017 requirement under 110.26 having to do with concealed space

[mshields]

Just got a pdf copy of the new 2017 NEC. Went to see what the new concealed space requirement was under 110.26. It essentially says that Table 110.26(A) still applies but with two exceptions:
1. a horizontal structural ceiling member; from which I understand that you could have a beam going though the working space and so long as you could still open the door to the equipment in question, 90 degrees, you'd be in compliance.
2. access panel

The wording is confusing leading one to understand that horizontal could apply to the access panel as well as to the structural ceiling member BUT my assumption is that they are talking about an access hatch in say, a full height partition that is running through the working space.

So it appears that structural beams are really the only thing on which they're giving us a break as far as fitting things into ceiling cavities and meeting the work space requirements.

 

[petersonra]

I think that at some point there needs to be a rethinking of some of the working space requirements. They make sense for larger pieces of gear but things like small pumps or even an ethernet switch get caught up in them. I am not sure just how one would go about determining whether working space was really absolutely necessary or not.

It just does not seem like you should have to have a working space that is much larger than the piece of gear in question. That is just a waste of space.

 

[iwire]

It just does not seem like you should have to have a working space that is much larger than the piece of gear in question. That is just a waste of space.

But its not about fitting the piece of gear in the space it is about fitting the service person in the space to work on it.


Just be happy it does not have to be ADA compliant space yet. hmy:

 

[mshields]

yeah but

yeah but

It may well be that this first attempt to fix an onerous and difficult to live by requirement for work space in concealed places is not all that it needs to be. That's a discussion for the 2020 NEC. I'm just trying to figure out what this one says.

Mike

 

[iwire]

I'm just trying to figure out what this one says.

Understood but not many of us have the 2017 NEC so I comments may be slow in coming.