Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

[doug glasscock]

We have a room dedicated for electrical equipment. (800amp service, panelboards, transformer and MCC).
It is my opinion that water and electrical do not mix at all. Could someone help me to support this position by Code Reference.

 

[roger deas]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Doug, before the 96 code cycle, this was pretty much true.

As far as the 02 NEC, you should look at 110.26(F)(1)

Roger

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

The code only prohibits "foreign" systems from the area directly above switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers.
Don

 

[charlie tuna]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

i have a building loaded with 4000 amp bus duct - and six 2000 and 4000 amp main breakers -- it is fully sprinklered!!! water and electricity don't mix----- but fire and smoke kills --- water from the sprinkler system does not kill --- it puts out fire!!!!!!!!! thats the theory!!!!!

 

[doug glasscock]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Charlie,
This building is 50FTx120FT bay room style Water Treatment Plant.
I thought about sprinkler systems as I was typing my original posts. My question pertains to roof water drain pipes that would channel the roof water to the ground. I had a civil engineer ask me if he could route two of these pipes through the electrical room so that his building design could look symmetrical. Looking at Don's reply, I would classify this as a "Foreign" system.
Any comments would be appreciated.

Don, where is this word "foreign" in the code?

 

[charlie b]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Originally posted by don_resqcapt19: The code only prohibits "foreign" systems from the area directly above switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers.

The code allows piping systems to be more than 6 feet above the panels, if there is protection from condensation, leaks, or breaks. See 120.26(F)(1)(b).

Originally posted by charlie tuna:Water from the sprinkler system does not kill --- it puts out fire!

The code also allows sprinkler systems in the room. But they must comply with the ?protection? requirement cited above. See 120.26(F)(1)(c).

 

[roger deas]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Charlie b I think you meant 110.26 (F)

Roger

 

[charlie b]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

You're right of course. I meant 110.26(F)(1)(a) and 110.26(F)(1)(b). Thanks.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Originally posted by doug glasscock:Don, where is this word "foreign" in the code?

The code never explicitly defines ?foreign,? in this context. However, it provides a clue to the intended meaning in the far more restrictive requirements that apply to a transformer vault:

450.47 Water Pipes and Accessories.
Any pipe or duct system foreign to the electrical installation
shall not enter or pass through a transformer vault. Piping or
other facilities provided for vault fire protection, or for transformer
cooling, shall not be considered foreign to the electrical installation.

I conclude that a piping system that serves the electrical equipment in the room is not ?foreign to the electrical installation.? Anything else, including your roof drain lines, is ?foreign.?

 

[gregory]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

The roof drains are a foreign system. they can't be in the dedicated space above panels and motor control centers. They must be at least 6 feet above the panel or structual ceiling which ever is lower. They could pass directly behind or above six feet but leak protection would have to be provided. There is a difference from water comming from a foreign system. It could cause the fire. The water from a sprinkler system would only be present if there was a fire. In which case you would want it to put the fire out. sprinklers are not leaks, thus no protection is required. The sprinkler lines can't be above the electrical equipment.
Greg

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Water Pipes in an Electrical Room

Doug,

1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (d).
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
(c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.
(d) Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling that does not add strength to the building structure shall not be considered a structural ceiling.

The piping is permitted within the electrical room but not within the dedicated equipment space directly above the electrical equipment. If leak protection is provided, the piping can be installed in the area above the dedicated equipment space.
Don