Sprinkler head near panels?

[JNB-ATL]

When installing a sprinkler head near electrical panels, I have been variously told that some sort of "protection" needs to be provided to prevent water from spraying directly onto the panelboards. I know that NEC 110.26 requires dedicated space directly over the footprint of a panel, but the sprinkler is centered in the room in this scenario.

The following link provides a good overview of required NEC clearance and NFPA 13 sprinkler protection, but makes no reference to "shielding" or "protection" placed either over the panelboard or around the head to prevent water from being sprayed directly onto the panel. Is there an actual requirement somewhere, or is this just another case of being told to do something that an inspector believes is "in the code"?

http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=&itemID=40181&src=NFPAJournal&cookie%5Ftest=1

 

[augie47]

110.16(F)(1) seems to me to pretty well address this situation

 

[bphgravity]

You have received bad information. There is no need nor any code requirement to shield or protect electrical equipment from the spray of fire sprinklers.

 

[RICK NAPIER]

That's 110.26(F)1

 

[wireguru]

if you shield the sprinkler, then how is it supposed to put out the fire on the pile of cardboard stacked infront of the panel?

 

[steve66]

if you shield the sprinkler, then how is it supposed to put out the fire on the pile of cardboard stacked infront of the panel?

I don't think you can argue with that logic

Steve

 

[augie47]

110.26 Thanks , Rick

I don't think the requirement is to shield the sprinkler head. Protection from condensation on the piping would be advisable if its a "wet" system.

 

[480sparky]

if you shield the sprinkler, then how is it supposed to put out the fire on the pile of cardboard stacked infront of the panel?

Boxes??? What boxes??? I don't see no stinkin' boxes???

 

[JNB-ATL]

if you shield the sprinkler, then how is it supposed to put out the fire on the pile of cardboard stacked infront of the panel?

Thanks for all the responses. I agree that as long as 110.26 is met (most easily by not routing anything directly over the panel), there's no specific requirement to shield the sprinkler, and in fact that would be a "bad idea" when that pile of boxes catches on fire!

Now, about those boxes....