Sewer line over panel allowed?
- Thread starter hawkeye
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
Do you mean that the main panel is in a room below a bathroom? Are you concerned about the bathroom sink overflowing on to the bathroom floor, and then going through the basement ceiling and falling onto the panel? I don't think the rules cover that, so it would not be a violation.
But a pipe above a panel is not a violation, unless it is within the working space set aside by 110.26.
Do you mean that the main panel is in a room below a bathroom? Are you concerned about the bathroom sink overflowing on to the bathroom floor, and then going through the basement ceiling and falling onto the panel? I don't think the rules cover that, so it would not be a violation.
But a pipe above a panel is not a violation, unless it is within the working space set aside by 110.26.
james wuebker
Senior Member
- Location
- Iowa
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
Hawkeye, Build a dip panel under that area if you think there could be a problem.
Jim
Hawkeye, Build a dip panel under that area if you think there could be a problem.
Jim
volt101
Senior Member
- Location
- New Hampshire
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
Jim
If the bathroom floor achieves this protection, then I don't see a problem with the pipes above the panel that are on the floor above, or the floor above that, or the floor above that, or the floor above that, etc.
Jim
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
This issue pops up all the time during our inspections.
The Floor is structural - so if the pipes and sink are above the floor it is not a code violation.
On the other hand if the pipe is above the "footprint" of the panel (and below the structural ceiling) and less than 6 feet above the panel, it is a violation of 110.26(F)(1)(a). Simply installing a drip pan is not sufficient if the pipe is not above the 6 ft zone.
"(F) Dedicated Equipment Space. All witchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or because of other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery shall be permitted
in those locations.
(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (d).
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus , or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated
space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation,
leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
This issue pops up all the time during our inspections.
The Floor is structural - so if the pipes and sink are above the floor it is not a code violation.
On the other hand if the pipe is above the "footprint" of the panel (and below the structural ceiling) and less than 6 feet above the panel, it is a violation of 110.26(F)(1)(a). Simply installing a drip pan is not sufficient if the pipe is not above the 6 ft zone.
"(F) Dedicated Equipment Space. All witchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or because of other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery shall be permitted
in those locations.
(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (d).
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus , or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated
space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation,
leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
What do you guys think of this one?
What do you guys think of this one?
physis
Senior Member
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
I think that 110.26 Says
Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
Then (F), a subsection of 110.26, says:
Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
I think that 110.26(F) is outside the scope of 110.26 with regard to protecting equipment outside of where working space is required.
I think that 110.26 Says
Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
Then (F), a subsection of 110.26, says:
Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
I think that 110.26(F) is outside the scope of 110.26 with regard to protecting equipment outside of where working space is required.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
Angles of pictures are always hard to tell, but if that trap is in the "footprint" of the panel directly below it, this would be a violation of 110.26(F)(1)(a) - even as unusual as this installation is.
Ryan is this picture from an inspection you did?
This work looks like modification to some older work.
Angles of pictures are always hard to tell, but if that trap is in the "footprint" of the panel directly below it, this would be a violation of 110.26(F)(1)(a) - even as unusual as this installation is.
Ryan is this picture from an inspection you did?
This work looks like modification to some older work.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Sewer line over panel allowed?
Sam,
If you apply the wording of that rule as written, you can't install a recessed panel!! Only surface panels are permitted.
Don
Sam,
If you apply the wording of that rule as written, you can't install a recessed panel!! Only surface panels are permitted.
Don
- Status