Sub Panel Located Under Stair Closet

[UESALBUQ]

Is it permissible in a dwelling to install a sub panel in a closet under the stairs? There is all necessary clearances need for the panel and it is not used as a clothes closet.

 

[roger]

Yes, providing you can convince the inspector that it is not a clothes closet.

Roger

 

[augie47]

panel

panel

and assuming all the considerations in 110.26 are met. 110.26 (B) might be a question

 

[inspectored]

Sub Panel Located Under Stair Closet

See NEC ART: 240.24(D) Not in Vicinity of Easily Ignitible Material: "Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as in clothes closets." (NEC Handbook) Comment "Examples of location where combustible materials may be stored are linen closets, paper storage closets, and clothes closets." This section applies.

 

[roger]

Ed, if this is an anvil closet, an auto parts closet, or a concrete block closet, and as the OP says all the clearances are there, he can install the panel in this space.

The OP seems to be aware of 240.24(D) and the requirements 110.26 by the way he worded the question.

Roger

 

[macmikeman]

Some of those under the stairs closets make it pretty hard to comply with the headroom requirement and maintaining that headroom clear to the 36" away from the face of the panel, due to the slope of the staircase. All depends on the number of steps built into the staircase. The OP said he has the room, so he should be ok to go, providing no combustable storage. Some of the houses I've been in there is absoultely zero space anywhere in the whole house save for the bathroom where combustable junk is not stored. And you could make a case for storing anvils in your bedroom closet. It sorta falls on the inspectors shoulders to make this call.

 

[eprice]

Here's another thing you may run into. For the purpose of containing a possible fire, the IRC makes the same requirement for the walls and ceiling of an enclosed under-stair storage closet as it does for the wall separating the garage from the house. If the building inspectors in your area are not allowing panels in the wall between house and garage, they may have a problem with a panel in the wall of the under-stair storage closet.