Panel location

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cajunfried

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What are the rules concerning a home that was built in 2003 for the location of the panel. I recently purchased a house and the electrical panel is located in a bedroom closet. When I questioned this, the contractor replied that he would install a door to cover the panel so that nothing would come in contact with the panel.

Is this situation code for Louisiana or should the contractor have relocated the panel to comply with code?
 
Re: Panel location

I think this would apply...........

2002 NEC
(overcurrent protection)
240.24 Location in or on Premises.
(D) Not in Vicinity of Easily Ignitible Material. Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as in clothes closets.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Panel location

Dave your good, i knew i read it someplace.Years ago trailers were great at putting them in the closet. :p

Now the next question is just where do we go from here? You have a major violation that someday could backfire when you sell.Look in phone book LAWYERS----Gold---and

[ January 28, 2004, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Panel location

1.when the house was built, what code was in effect concerning the location of the panel?
2.did the state/area take exception to that rule when the house was built?
3.did the inspector flag the installation?
4.if the practice was allowed by the local authorities when the house was built, wouldn't it be covered under the grandfather clause?

just asking questions that will hopefully resolve your question.
 
Re: Panel location

He stated 2003 as year built
My oldest book is 96 and was violation at least that far back
"2.did the state/area take exception to that rule when the house was built?"
I would think that strange and leave them wide open for liability,as it violates at least 2 code sections 240.24 d as well as work space.

"wouldn't it be covered under the grandfather clause?"
grandfather only applies if it was legal at time installed.
Just where was this built,sounds like an area that has no inspections (there are some of them still around)?
Only thing i see that might happen is they will want to turn this panel 180 degrees if it is inside wall(might be ugly)
Someone has goofed big time !!!!!!!!!!!!
and i would demand some action now.
Should this get caught 20 years from now when you sell it might cost you thousands.A sale could be in place and then fall thru if an alert HI caught it.You would be required to pay realtor or fix the defect.
So unless the NEC they used was as far back as when it was allowed or they don't even use it there is a violation.
Almost missed one thing on previous post he mentioned afci so would assume they were on 2002
 
Re: Panel location

The AFCI's would be required even if the area were using the 99 NEC.

Roger
 
Re: Panel location

Why am i thinking this is an area with little if any inspections?
And this is an area i would not bend an inch over.It flat out is dangerous
 
Re: Panel location

The code does say "clothes closet". and of course clothes are easily ignitable however if this is not a "clothes closet" and meets the requirements of clearance then whats the problem? It sounds to me like the closet you describe however is the only closet in the bedroom which leads one to believe that it is a clothes closet and therefore violates code. Make him move it !!! his screw up!!!

[ January 29, 2004, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: joe stewart ]
 
Re: Panel location

"I recently purchased a house and the electrical panel is located in a bedroom closet"
Yes if the closet wasn't for clothes and we had work space as required then fine.I have put many in utility closets.The key word here is clothes and have yet to see a closet in a bedroom that didn't have shelves and hanger rods.But do agree anything is possible
 
Re: Panel location

John he must have the work space and a non clothes closet.Just not gonna buy the idea of taking shelves out or calling it a den.
Now if this had a 30 inch door opening in front of the panel and clear 3 feet back then it should fly.Or if this was a typical 2 foot deep closet with bi folds i think it passes.
 
Re: Panel location

I was just thinking that if he had the required clearance, it could be turned into a sort of electrical equipment room. It might be cheaper to build another closet than to move the panel. Just a thought.
 
Re: Panel location

The clothes closet requirement came into the NEC in 1981. This closet if it is not a clothes closet can still have shelves. The architect can label it as a mechanical closet and it passes inspection. What happens after inspection is another story.
The closet does not need to be 36 inches deep if the opening in front of the panel is the minimum required width and opens to at least the required depth.

Pierre
 
Re: Panel location

Pierre i hope your not suggesting we fix this by removing the clothes and shelves for a day.
As to adding a closet,i hardly would go for that as most bed rooms are small to begin with,and why should he settle for a cheap fix.
Yes the closet could have shelves but not in the work space.
I think this contractor has a major screw up.And i see thousands to fix it.What is on the opposite side of the wall?That is the only remotely cheap solution,and you might want compensation for the looks.We also would need to go to the approved stamped prints to see what it was called if anything.I don't see an inspector letting this go by calling it a utility closet or some other fancy name.Someone goofed and needs to pay,and this shows the quality of the rest of the job.
 
Re: Panel location

This is a standard 2x8 clothes closet. A 12 inch wooden door was installed around the panel to protect it.

I am contacting the town inspector to get his written report plus voice my concerns to him. If I have to leave a buffer zone around the panel, the closet could only be half utilized (which is unacceptable for my 17 yr. old daughter).

I appreciate all the great feedback.
 
Re: Panel location

cajunfried ,your missing something!!! If this is a CLOTHES closet it CAN NOT have this panel even if it has work space.I would suggest you print this entire post and make a few copies.Hand one to the inspector,one to your GC,one to the EC,and the last to your lawyer.This is a violation and an inspector can't ignore this once brought to his attention.Maybe Ryan will comment on where he would stand in this.
This has been a violation for 20 plus years.
No chance i would back down on this.
Keep us posted as this should get to be fun seeing how they will worm there way out.
I suspect they will offer you some money to let them go.And if you have a TV channel like we do i would invite them to be there for this meeting.
May well be many more just like yours.
And you do not have to except just any legal cure here,looks are important too.

[ January 30, 2004, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Panel location

Jim
In less than a two month span, you have posted 864 times and in that same span of time you have admitted yourself to having installed violations. Why are you so quick to prosecute this case in the bedroom closet?

Pierre
 
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