Rigid conduits in parking areas

[Twisted sparky]

I’m looking for some additional requirements for protecting rigid conduit, emerging from grade in a parking lot. If the conduits are strapped to the steel columns of our solar canopies, and a truck backs into them, they will be squished flat. Having an argument with the contractor, about the requirement. What I’ve been able to find, says to use rigid, where the wiring is subject to physical damage, but what about vehicular traffic

 

[xptpcrewx]

If the conduits are strapped to the steel columns of our solar canopies, and a truck backs into them, they will be squished flat.

Seems like subject to physical damage to me.

 

[roger]

Seems like subject to physical damage to me.

I agree and in a lot of these situations concrete bollards are used for added protection

Roger

 

[masterinbama]

What protects the steel column?

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[xptpcrewx]

What protects the steel column?

Hopefully a good insurance policy...

 

[Carultch]

What protects the steel column?

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One thing that could protect the steel column, is a concrete foundation raised to the level of a vehicle bumper, so the vehicle hits the concrete foundation before it hits the column.

 

[kwired]

One thing that could protect the steel column, is a concrete foundation raised to the level of a vehicle bumper, so the vehicle hits the concrete foundation before it hits the column.

Such as the bollards mentioned in post 3.

This pretty effective for simple "bumping" by vehicles in normal parking lot activity. Someone decides to try to outrun cops and loses control or something you still may have damages. Hard to make it completely damage proof you have to set the bar for what is expected for worst case and anything beyond that is just bad luck one time situation.

 

[GoldDigger]

An alternative would be to use something like substantial angle iron to cover the rigid conduit.
But the most important thing to me is that the NEC does not set any requirements for protecting rigid conduit that is itself according to Code a sufficient protection for the conductors.
As regularly said, the NEC is not a design document. Sometimes that is even true.

 

[petersonra]

I’m looking for some additional requirements for protecting rigid conduit, emerging from grade in a parking lot. If the conduits are strapped to the steel columns of our solar canopies, and a truck backs into them, they will be squished flat. Having an argument with the contractor, about the requirement. What I’ve been able to find, says to use rigid, where the wiring is subject to physical damage, but what about vehicular traffic

I don't think it matters much. If the vehicle is traveling more than a few miles an hour it's going to take down the column too. I'd be inclined to arrange them so they are in as little danger as possible but not worry about it all that much.

You can only do so much. As others have said you can always erect some kind of physical barricade in front of the conduit if it bothers you. I just don't see that it serves any real purpose.