SITUATION: A person must enter through an opening that is 24" wide by 48" tall to get to where a panelboard is located on the same floor level. No ladder is required and no obstacle has to be moved. NEC 100 defines "accessible, readily" as a location where one need not go OVER obstacles or use a ladder to reach. Where can I find justification to allow one to duck UNDER an obstacle (ductwork in this case) to get to a space that is still considered readily accessible. Conversly, where does it state this situation is not readily accessible. Is there any official interpretation that has been published for this exact situation.
READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
- Thread starter rg1
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
Your basic rules in the NEC would be 110.26(C); however, "confined space" and/or "means of egress" rules, not found in the NEC, may also apply. Without a great deal more information this is about all that can be said.
Your basic rules in the NEC would be 110.26(C); however, "confined space" and/or "means of egress" rules, not found in the NEC, may also apply. Without a great deal more information this is about all that can be said.
russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
The (Readily Accessible) definition I believe, does not list all the possibilities that can restrict access. To have to stoop real low or crawl thru an opening to me is not readily accessible. At what point is it to low of an entrance. I could probably crawl thru a 16" tall hole. If you can't walk up to the panel without the danger of throwing out your back it's not readily accessible (IMO)
The (Readily Accessible) definition I believe, does not list all the possibilities that can restrict access. To have to stoop real low or crawl thru an opening to me is not readily accessible. At what point is it to low of an entrance. I could probably crawl thru a 16" tall hole. If you can't walk up to the panel without the danger of throwing out your back it's not readily accessible (IMO)
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
You are pushing it to the limit if not over it.I think this would need to be an AHJ decision.Maybe if there just isn't any other reasonable place for it
You are pushing it to the limit if not over it.I think this would need to be an AHJ decision.Maybe if there just isn't any other reasonable place for it
shocker3218
Senior Member
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
OK, I'm 6'6" and 260 pounds. I have to duck to get to a lot of places. Does this mean that they are not readily accesable?
OK, I'm 6'6" and 260 pounds. I have to duck to get to a lot of places. Does this mean that they are not readily accesable?
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2023
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
No, it just means you should be playing football.
I think this might have been left ambiguous so that the AHJ can define it case by case, and be able to use common sense (yeah right) when applying it. I would say that's not readily accessible, if we're voting.
No, it just means you should be playing football.
I think this might have been left ambiguous so that the AHJ can define it case by case, and be able to use common sense (yeah right) when applying it. I would say that's not readily accessible, if we're voting.
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
I would not consider that to be "readily accessable" because the low doorway limits how "quickly" you can access the panelboard.
It would be "accessible", though. I don't see any general code article that requires panelboards to be "readily accessible". Maybe you are trying to use the breakers in the panel for "readily accessible" disconnects for equipment?
I would not consider that to be "readily accessable" because the low doorway limits how "quickly" you can access the panelboard.
It would be "accessible", though. I don't see any general code article that requires panelboards to be "readily accessible". Maybe you are trying to use the breakers in the panel for "readily accessible" disconnects for equipment?
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: READILY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT
If a panelboard had to be readily accessible, you would never be permitted to put a locking device on it. The access to the panelboard seems to be something along the lines of a hatchway, why would that be a problem? As long as the rules in 110.26 are followed including enough space for egress which it seems there is, where is the difficulty?
If a panelboard had to be readily accessible, you would never be permitted to put a locking device on it. The access to the panelboard seems to be something along the lines of a hatchway, why would that be a problem? As long as the rules in 110.26 are followed including enough space for egress which it seems there is, where is the difficulty?
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