Storage rooms

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Grouch

Grouch

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New York, NY
Hi all,
Not sure if this is a gray area of the NEC, but:

1) can you place an electrical panel in a small storage closet? I was told 3 feet will be kept in front of the panel, but i'm not sure if this will be allowed since the closet is being used for storage. can there be a panel in there?

2) can you place an electrical panel in a larger storage room? the storage room is about 300 sq. ft.

Thanks!
 
Two things come to mind, first you need the required clearances from 110.26, second you need to ensure that the panel is not in a location that is in the vicinity of easily ignitable materials such as clothes closets. If this is a storage room the location is fine.
 
infinity said:
Two things come to mind, first you need the required clearances from 110.26, second you need to ensure that the panel is not in a location that is in the vicinity of easily ignitable materials such as clothes closets. If this is a storage room the location is fine.
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So you would stay away from the small storage closet? but the larger storage room would be fine to place a panel in?
 
I would say that the size of the closet is not relevant. Maintain the working space clear of any stored items, and don't store easily ignitable material nearby, and you are fine.
 
charlie b said:
I would say that the size of the closet is not relevant. Maintain the working space clear of any stored items, and don't store easily ignitable material nearby, and you are fine.
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The point is, that's not so easy to do in a small storage closet. :huh:
 
Smart $ said:
The point is, that's not so easy to do in a small storage closet. :huh:
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That's the part that has me worried as well. I showed the panel in a different location, out of that small storage closet. It would've definitely been filled up with cleaning solutions, clothing, and who knows what else.
 
Smart $ said:
The point is, that's not so easy to do in a small storage closet. :huh:
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IMO, it doesn't matter if its a 3'x6' storage closet with a 60 amp subpanel, or a 40'x40' electrical room with a 2000 amp switchboard, with the floor striped yellow and warning signs everywhere - in general maintenance people and janitors will always store and stack stuff right in front of the electrical panels.

If you can provide the correct working space for the inspection, and if it's not a clothes closet in a dwelling unit, I wouldn't concern myself with what people store later.
 
Grouch1980 said:
Hi all,
Not sure if this is a gray area of the NEC, but:

1) can you place an electrical panel in a small storage closet? I was told 3 feet will be kept in front of the panel, but i'm not sure if this will be allowed since the closet is being used for storage. can there be a panel in there?

2) can you place an electrical panel in a larger storage room? the storage room is about 300 sq. ft.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


The rule that specifies that you cannot use the electrical working space for storage does not mean that the entire room cannot be used for storage. It is OK to use other parts of the room for storage, as long as you keep the code required working space clear, and keep the exit path unobstructed.

If you plan such a dual-use room, you do run the risk that whomever uses it for storage will not follow this rule. Nature abhores a vacuum (yes, I know, it isn't a true vacuum, but the idiom still stands), and that space will get filled if you don't clearly mark where storage is not permitted.
 
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