Sub Panel in restroom

[DJH_]

Quick Question - A remodel will be starting in the building i work in (Call Center) and they want to leave an electrical panel in place and build a bathroom around it. Thoughts on this?

 

[GoldDigger]

Quick Question - A remodel will be starting in the building i work in (Call Center) and they want to leave an electrical panel in place and build a bathroom around it. Thoughts on this?

I think it is OK except in residential occupancy. I would not be comfortable with doing that for a service panel just because of access concerns though.

 

[DJH_]

I agree with you. it's a 40 breaker panel...actually 2 right next to each other. I voiced my concerns, but the Electrical Engineers don't seem to be worried.

 

[GoldDigger]

My only real concerns would be that in the course of building up the room and bringing in the plumbing they respected both the dedicated electrical space and the working space requirements for the panels.

 

[DJH_]

I may probably shouldn't have labeled the thread "sub Panel"

 

[ActionDave]

I may probably shouldn't have labeled the thread "sub Panel"

Your original title was "Sun Panel". I changed it to Sub because that is what I thought you meant. Do you want it changed to something else?

 

[steve66]

I just did this at a church. Not the greatest place for a panel, but not a code violation either. And it all depends on how much a client is willing to spend to move one.

 

[jumper]

I think it is OK except in residential occupancy. I would not be comfortable with doing that for a service panel just because of access concerns though.

And if the service panel is the service disconnecting means it is not allowed.

230.70(A)(2) Bathrooms.
Service disconnecting means shall not be
installed in bathrooms.

 

[GoldDigger]

And if the service panel is the service disconnecting means it is not allowed.

230.70(A)(2) Bathrooms.
Service disconnecting means shall not be
installed in bathrooms.

So you don't find the door locked and someone in the bathroom when you need to disconnect the service?
I wonder. :?
Or because you then have to make a choice of only hiring male or only hiring female electricians?

 

[dkidd]

So you don't find the door locked and someone in the bathroom when you need to disconnect the service?
I wonder. :?
Or because you then have to make a choice of only hiring male or only hiring female electricians?

Only in NC.

 

[abmorse1]

Up to AHJ interpretation

Up to AHJ interpretation

We have a client that prefers one of their sub-panels to be in a restroom. It comes up often enough that we include it in our initial call to the AHJ. It varies state by state, but overall, I'd guess that it's been allowed in 80% of the calls.

 

[iwire]

We have a client that prefers one of their sub-panels to be in a restroom. It comes up often enough that we include it in our initial call to the AHJ. It varies state by state, but overall, I'd guess that it's been allowed in 80% of the calls.

No, it is not 'up to the AHJ' if they have adopted the NEC.

An area may have amendments changing the rules but it is not based on how the AHJ feels today.

 

[kwired]

No, it is not 'up to the AHJ' if they have adopted the NEC.

An area may have amendments changing the rules but it is not based on how the AHJ feels today.

From what we read here from time to time, some areas the amendments are based on how the inspector feels today.

 

[abmorse1]

No, it is not 'up to the AHJ' if they have adopted the NEC.

An area may have amendments changing the rules but it is not based on how the AHJ feels today.

True, but plan reviewers (at least the ones with the most unreasonable interpretations) will use 90.4 as their justification. For our firm the issue of panels in a restroom is one of the items on the "not worth arguing about" list.

 

[Carultch]

Or because you then have to make a choice of only hiring male or only hiring female electricians?

Custodians work in both bathrooms, even when their staff is a mixed group, so I don't see why electrical personnel would be any different.

 

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

My only real concerns would be that in the course of building up the room and bringing in the plumbing they respected both the dedicated electrical space and the working space requirements for the panels.

Agreed. Make sure you coordinate with the architect for items such as ADA required handrails.

 

[just the cowboy]

you'll get hit by a shoe

you'll get hit by a shoe

Custodians work in both bathrooms, even when their staff is a mixed group, so I don't see why electrical personnel would be any different.

When I worked for a lighting maintance company you would knock on door 3 times, open door and yell maintence man twice and still have a lady scream and throw her shoe at you when you walked in.hmy:

 

[kwired]

When I worked for a lighting maintance company you would knock on door 3 times, open door and yell maintence man twice and still have a lady scream and throw her shoe at you when you walked in.hmy:

You just identified yourself, you never told them you were coming inside, I bet they were all blondes