Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

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Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

I wasn't implying that the laundry room was a damp location as in it's normal use it would be dry. ;)
But from past experience It seems that this is one of the locations that seem to have a higher rate of panel buss to breaker failure. An R-3 panel enclosure would not fair any better as they are not sealed against the steam. There my be underlying cause's to this like when the dryer exhaust hose has a hole in it or the duct was pulled apart when the dryer was shifted around. Or even when a home owner is sold on one of those little heat recovery devices that is suppose to put the dryer heat back into the house. :roll:
and also the fact that many home owners will leave the washer lid open when they do a soak cycle. And there are underlying panel installation problems that can attribute to this as well like not sealing the conduit in the panel to the outside as this will allow the air in the laundry to flow through the panel to the outside when there is a positive pressure wind against the house this will force the moisture through the panel too.
So the bottom end is this is mostly end use problems and one that can be attributed to the installation of the panel. There probably more that could be added to this.
And the basment is a problem too but as long as the panel pipe to the outside is sealed it shouldn't be as bad. High levels of moisture in a house is a very bad sign and won't be a good selling point.
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Charlie, this isn't always true:

The only source for humidity is from the washer since the dryer is vented outside.
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One of the GC's I work for nearly always uses this vented box that you fill part way with water and attatch the dryer exhaust to. He mounts this thing in the same room as the dryer. I don't know anything about how correct or incorrect this is but I do know I don't like it and that this is a terrible humidity sourse.
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Originally posted by physis:
One of the GC's I work for nearly always uses this vented box that you fill part way with water and attatch the dryer exhaust to. He mounts this thing in the same room as the dryer.
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I believe that in itself is a building code violation.

As far as homeowners being the target I am sure of it. :roll:

I do not think builders would be interested in a product thats use is a violation
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

vented box that you fill part way with water
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Thats what I was talking about. They market it as a heat recovery device or as a vent-less dryer vent, and even give you the plastic hose to do the connection with which is a big violation. UL has a warning on there site about the plastic hose being use on dryers. I have seen many of these vents with a womans stocking duct taped to the vent to catch the lint. :roll:
I always try to tell the home owner the danger of using plastic hose or when I see one of those vent box's, And I let them know the damage the moisture can do to there home.
Ever had to work in an older laundry mat. It's nothing but rotted wood, rust and corrosion everywhere. :eek:
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

I do not think builders would be interested in a product thats use is a violation
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Most of us probably wish that were true! Some GC's, what can I say. How hard is it to get this past the inspection process?
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Wayne, Could you do me a favor and give a link to the UL item you mentioned? :)
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

No problem.

From the UL page: Possible causes of fires
What causes some clothes dryer fires? Lack of maintenance is a contributing factor. People just aren't cleaning lint traps as often as they should nor are they checking and cleaning vent systems on a periodic basis. Reduced airflow resulting from lint buildup in the screen or other areas around the dryer can cause the dryer to perform poorly, operate at elevated temperatures and possibly overheat.

Problems can also occur if consumers place improper items in their dryers, such as foam backed rugs or athletic shoes, or vent their appliances with plastic, vinyl or aluminum foil exhaust materials.
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From the UL page: Additional dryer dos and don'ts
Clean the lint filter before or after each load. Don't forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can be trapped.
The interior of the dryer and venting system should be cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel. If you notice the drying time is longer, clean the vent system thoroughly to ensure proper airflow.
Replace plastic, vinyl and aluminum foil venting with rigid or flexible metal venting.
Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.). Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode.
Don't forget to read manufacturers' warnings in use and care manuals that accompany new dryers. Also, warning markings can usually be found on the inside of the dryer's lid and take only minutes to read.
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The above quote was from this page:

UL product safty tips

[ November 22, 2004, 02:48 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Just what room is a safe room for the panel ?
The garage has gas fumes,laundry has moisture,bathroom been outlawed,kitchen has grease,bedrooms have arcfault problems,halls could trap people.Just whats left that wont look ugly ?
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Jim, in spite of the above conversation, it is my belief that the laundry room is fine from the standpoint of moisture. The problem I have with it is the 110.26 issue.

The bedrooms are still OK, you only have to have arc-fault protection for the circuits that feed the bedrooms. Just because the panelboard is located in the bedroom doesn't mean that all of the circuits have to be protected.

The garage is still OK unless you are going to put the panelboard within 18" of the floor.

The kitchen is OK if you can satisfy 110.26 and I think a hallway is fine. :D
 
Re: Panel in the laundry rm ok ?

Jim, you could still mount them outside. But I don't like that either. :D

Thank you Wayne.

There's an interesting corolation between number of homes with dryers and annual property damage caused by them. It's about a dollar per home.

Edit: Actually I like the idea of an equipment room.

[ November 22, 2004, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
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