possible exceptions to NEC 110.26 Working space

[mjanuszko]

As the building electrical engineer at my facility (new, 1 year in), I'm not always involved in equipment installations. I recently ran across a piece of equipment that in its present location does not provide adequate room for a hinged door on a panel board to open 90 degrees.
The panel board is not one that is routinely accessed, and should the need arise the obstruction can be moved. My question is if this is legitimate - I've come across other instances where, for example, another panelboard is blocked by a walkway guard rail. However, the guard rail can be easily moved to allow 90 degree access should the need arise.
Can I let this go, or is this something that would get cited during an audit?

Thanks,

Mike Januszko

 

[petersonra]

As the building electrical engineer at my facility (new, 1 year in), I'm not always involved in equipment installations. I recently ran across a piece of equipment that in its present location does not provide adequate room for a hinged door on a panel board to open 90 degrees.
The panel board is not one that is routinely accessed, and should the need arise the obstruction can be moved. My question is if this is legitimate - I've come across other instances where, for example, another panelboard is blocked by a walkway guard rail. However, the guard rail can be easily moved to allow 90 degree access should the need arise.
Can I let this go, or is this something that would get cited during an audit?

Thanks,

Mike Januszko

I don't think it matters how often the panel board is accessed.

I am not sure a panel board is required to even have a door.

I would want to see a picture of exactly what you have though before I commented much more.

 

[publicgood]

It is acceptable to have doors or otherwise blocking working space (such as a panelboard in a shallow closet). As long as the door may be opened and or rail moved easily and proper clearances are present. 30w, or width of equipment, by 6.5ft h for instance.

 

[dema]

Context is everything

Context is everything

I am a professional engineer. In my state I am to report situations which I view to be dangerous to human welfare. The situations you describe don't fit my definition of that. I pick my battles. There are definitely battles worth fighting posted on this site.

IMHO there should be nothing, ever, within the clearance other than a door that when opened is not within the clearance. I joke that we should invent some sort of octopus contraption for storage that a button push lifts off of the panel and restore clearance. Of course it would have to have battery backup.....

So, how much clout do you have?