Plumbing In Panel Bay

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Dustin Foelber

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Good Morning
I have a question regarding plumbing in a panel bay. I have a project where the panel is shown to be installed in a stud bay of a wall that has a sink opposite of it. The plumbing allows for us to fit the panel but I am not sure if there is a code violation there. I know the dedicated space above the panel must be free of foriegn systems or panel must be shroud protected in case of a pipe failure but what about below the panel? Our wall is has no plumbing that faces that way. It is all in the room behind panel.
Please advise. Thank You
 
Dustin Foelber said:
Good Morning
I have a question regarding plumbing in a panel bay. I have a project where the panel is shown to be installed in a stud bay of a wall that has a sink opposite of it. The plumbing allows for us to fit the panel but I am not sure if there is a code violation there. I know the dedicated space above the panel must be free of foriegn systems or panel must be shroud protected in case of a pipe failure but what about below the panel? Our wall is has no plumbing that faces that way. It is all in the room behind panel.
Please advise. Thank You
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Same rule that doesn't allow foreign systems above, does not allow them below either. If the foreign system is not within the plane of the footprint of the panel extended to the floor then you do not have a problem. A drain pipe in same wall likely means you need at least 2x8 studs in most cases but if only 1/2 inch trade sized water pipes this may possibly be done with 2x6 studs and still not be in violation of the dedicated space.

Some will say it doesn't matter with a panel that is flush mounted. Even if that is true, why do you want to have that plumbing in the way for running raceways or cables to your panel?
 
Here a graphic form the NECH of the required dedicate space:

Dedicatedspace.jpg
 
infinity said:
I say no but then the wall framing is in the space too.
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Well yes, but generally just the top/bottom plate of the framing, and they are somewhat necessary to help maintain integrity of the wall. There are cases where I have completely removed plate to allow easier access for cables or raceways.
 
kwired said:
Does the dedicated space disappear if the equipment (the panel in that image) is flush mounted?
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I believe that the purpose of the "dedicated space" is to allow the future installation of new conduits. I offer as supporting evidence the fact that the rule is limited to switchboards, panelboards, and MCCs, any one of which is likely to get more conduits in the future. By contrast, the rule does not apply to disconnect switches, enclosed circuit breakers, or ATSs, neither of which is likely to get any more conduits in the future. That said, the space within a wall above and below a flush-mounted panel is reserved, as "dedicated space," just the same as the space above and below a surface mounted panel.
 
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