Panel height

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jimwalker

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TAMPA FLORIDA
We ran into this today.Our 800 amp main panel and 1 of the sub panels in one of the electric rooms was turned down because at 8 feet just above the suspended ceiling grid the A C man ran a piece of 14 inch duct.Panel is 4 inches off floor and top of panel about 7 feet.Inspector says we must have clearance of 6 feet above panel or to structual beams.Can any one help me find this in NEC ?
 
Re: Panel height

thanks i guess i missed that one.So is this just the the part that is over the panel ? not the the entire working space ?
I do see the concern of condinsation.Only good part about this is it is not at our exspince to move it,but do feel sorry for the A C man
 
Re: Panel height

Pierre thanks i was thinking maybe a shield or something but this is a private school for rich kids and they are beyond being picky.They don't even want to see a piece of MC in the electric rooms.They would not likely go for it
 
Re: Panel height

Originally posted by pierre:
Jim
What we suggest to the contractors here who have the same kind of situation is, to install framing and sheetrock ceiling above the gear/panel.

Pierre
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Pierre
in my opinion what you describe is a suspended ceiling at least in the 1999. Did it change in the 2002? 110-26(f)(1)(d)

Jim
The chief BO here has granted variances here for reduced clearances with drip pans where there is suffifcient clearance to run conduit out the top of panelboard.
 
Re: Panel height

thanks everyone ,problem needed solved fast so AC man moved his line and we passed.A drip pan would not fit in this room 49 inches by about 6 feet deep.Panel took up most of back wall 44 inches.Just barely fit sub panel on long wall.
 
Re: Panel height

Pierre
It's hard to have these discussions w/out pictures. There is so much typing involved :( ;)
A ceiling framed to support the walls of the room would be ok. This could be said to add strength to the building structure.
A room w/ full height walls to the deck or floor above and then a ceiling framed in below would still be a dropped ceiling. I don't think this could be said to add strength to the building structure.
The two factors here are water etc. dripping on equipment and room to run conduits up and out of the equipment. If there is more to the intent here please let me know.
I think in most cases I would rather see a lower duct or pipe height w/shield than another ceiling to go through. I think it's easier to go around the pipes or duct than to have to get above a ceiling to run conduits up and out of the room over the ceiling in the next room or rooms.
 
Re: Panel height

Pierre:

I have to agree with sandsnow. A ceiling added just to allow something to be placed above a panel is not a structural ceiling. I would be supprised if an AHJ allowed this.

Steve
 
Re: Panel height

Steve I have to disagree,as long as it is framed and drywalled it is structual.Part of the structure just like a wall.Doesn`t have to be load bearing to be structural.I have done many buildings where there was HVAC ,Plumbing in chases encroaching in that space.But with them being inside a soffit,ceiling or what ever has never been a problem.
 
Re: Panel height

Alan I have to go with Steve on this, just because you may not have gotten called on it does not change what the code spells out.

110.26(F)(1(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (d).

(a)Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.

Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
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So there is an exception for a typical suspended ceiling

110.26(F)(1(1) continues
(b)Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.

(c)Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.

(d)Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling that does not add strength to the building structure shall not be considered a structural ceiling.
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IMO it is clear a dropped sheetrock ceiling is not the structural ceiling and would not be the top end of the dedicated space.

Bob

[ August 21, 2004, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: Panel height

Bob i guess it would have to be the determination of what is a structual ceiling.In your quote it says to the structual ceiling.If there is an 8 ft ceiling and a panel is in a hallway in an apt. and above it is Plumbing,hvac etc. in the ceiling.Isn`t that ceiling structual???What would be the difference???As long as it is permanent to me it is structual JMHO
 
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