Readily accessible

[hhsting]

I have tenant space which is dentist office on first floor. However the branch circuits overcurrent protection panelboard is located downstair out of tenant space.

The tenant would have to get out of tenant space and go downstairs thru stair to the basement electrical room.

I see that definition of ready access nec 2017 section 100 includes without having to climb over or under, remove obstacles. Would going out of tenant space and going to stairs fall under not readily accessible or it is readily accessible?

 

[augie47]

As long as the breaker meets the requirement of 240.21(A) {does not need too use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth} and the occupant has access (240.21(B), albeit downstairs) it meets NEC.

Stop and think for a minute how many malls and office buildings require long walks to access tenant breakers.

 

[hhsting]

As long as the breaker meets the requirement of 240.21(A) {does not need too use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth} and the occupant has access (240.21(B), albeit downstairs) it meets NEC.

I dont understand how act of going up and downstairs not considered climbing over or under?

 

[Fred B]

A permanent staircase is not considered an impediment to readily accessible. I'm not aware of any requirements that the panel be handicap accessible, where a staircase would create an access restriction. If a staircase is considered an obstacle to readily accessible 90% of residential that I've dealt with would be in violation. As long as every tenant has access to the basement it is accessible.

 

[hhsting]

Well did some research this thread below explains best why stairs are not considered issue.

I like how Charlie B says post #33 in their if you move your hand up in air then air is an obstacle as a joke

readily accessible

I must beg to disagree. Last week I climbed two fixed ladders, each at least 15 feet high, in order to reach two separate mezzanine levels related to a tenant improvement project. At each mezzanine level there were 480V panels, transformers, and 120V panels. Off hand, I do not know whether...

forums.mikeholt.com

 

[hhsting]

A permanent staircase is not considered an impediment to readily accessible. I'm not aware of any requirements that the panel be handicap accessible, where a staircase would create an access restriction. If a staircase is considered an obstacle to readily accessible 90% of residential that I've dealt with would be in violation. As long as every tenant has access to the basement it is accessible.

Its not about obstacles its about climbing. You do have to climb the permanent stairs to get to electrical room and climbing stairs is not readily accessible?

 

[augie47]

English is not your native language, is it ?
The actual term in "readily accessible" is "to climb over or under, to remove obstacles". Hopefully the tenant is not climbing over or under the stairs.

 

[GoldDigger]

It may not be about obstacles but about climbing for you, but the language of the Code clearly refers to obstacles. The grammar is not 100% clear, but I read it as having to climb over or under obstacles, or remove obstacles.
Stairs are a means of access, not an obstacle to access.
Looking at it from a different angle, when climbing stairs your are not climbing over something or under something. You are just going up or down stairs.
IMHO you are both overthinking and underthinking this at the same time.

(Like Augie said....)

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Its not about obstacles its about climbing. You do have to climb the permanent stairs to get to electrical room and climbing stairs is not readily accessible?

So a panel at a dwelling unit can never be in the basement?