Panel type and location

K

karn

Senior Member
Location
United States
Occupation
Electrician
I was called out to look at a panel located in a mechanical room for an indoor pool. The room is very humid and full of corrosive pool chemicals and equipment, including the pool pump, filter, and heater. The current panel is inside a stainless steel enclosure that may not be readily accessible without a 5/16" bit to loosen the latch and open the door. However, the fire marshal is more concerned with the lack of encasement around the dead front and the exposed wiring. Any recommendations for solutions or replacement options?
 

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The deadfront is all that is required. If you want more, have a local metal shop fab you something.
Listing is nit required, but you will want to use something fairly rigid.
 
Yeah, I'm guessing a it's a new fire marshall because it passed all the inspections 5 years ago when it was built. Just wasn't sure if this would apply here:

NEC Section 408.3(B) requires that the interior of the panelboard, including the busbars, terminals, and wiring, be protected from accidental contact.

Would the gaps apply here, or if someone is stupid enough to reach around and grab something then it's basically their own fault, I mean at that point it wouldn't really be 'accidental contact'
 
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Looks like a custom cabjnet enclosure for a standard panelboard. It should have an interior cover that would allow accessing the breakers without being exposed to live parts.

As far as the latch is concerned it needs to meet the definition of readily accessible.
 
Strathead said:
Seriously? Talk about needing to suit up to turn on a breaker!
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The calculated incident energy is the same whether there is a cover over the wiring compartment or not, so the PPE would be the same.
You are correct there is a higher risk of a fault occuring.
 
Little Bill said:
I'm saying what is the difference if the room for the panel has a lock on it. That is allowed.
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The question karn asked was about the type of fastener on the cabinet. If it requires a 5/16" tool to open it is it readily accessible as required by 240.24(A)? Answer is no. The door is a different issue.
karn said:
The current panel is inside a stainless steel enclosure that may not be readily accessible without a 5/16" bit to loosen the latch and open the door.
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Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible).
Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth. (CMP-1)
Informational Note: Use of keys is a common practice under controlled or supervised conditions and a common alternative to the ready access requirements under such supervised conditions as provided
elsewhere in the NEC.
Click to expand...
 
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