two services in a building

[lile001]

We have a building which has two service entrances. The AHJ has already bought off on the idea some time ago, the second service was installed because of capacity and reliability (a computer facility) and also in a part of the building behind a 2 hour fire separation (separate building).

We have several situations where there is an electrical room, with a panelboard from Service A on one wall, and from Service B on another wall. The client told me flatly "it's a code violation to have two different services in a room".

I cannot think of any part of the NEC that forbids panels fed from more than one service in the same room, and in fact this would be common in hospitals, where dual feeds and double ended switchgear are the norm.

Is this a rule, or is this guy just out in space?

 

[wirenut1980]

Re: two services in a building

I think the client is way out in left field unless it is a local rule. Ask him/her for a code reference. Or, maybe it is something that they always write into their specs.

 

[charlie b]

Re: two services in a building

If you are the engineer, who is the client that is giving you this story? Is it a representative of the building's owner? Is that person trained in the electrical trade? What is that person's goal, his motivation? Is he trying to get you (or someone else) to move one or more panels without having to pay an extra fee? Or is he just trying to show off his (lack of) knowledge?

The guy's statement is invalid, and the double-ended switchgear is as common an example as anyone could wish.

 

[apauling]

Re: two services in a building

NEC 230.2 limits 2 services (same location) to special conditions. It does not bar them.

paul

 

[steve66]

Re: two services in a building

The client might be refering to 230.3 (2002 NEC). Your AHJ is the one who will have to tell you if your installation is allowed. If he allowed two services based on the need for reliability, you may be OK. If he based it on there being two separate buildings, with a separate service to each building, he may have a problem with it.

Steve