Where would you locate this Panelboard?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Behind the door is the least likely to be piled up with junk violating the aforementioned 110.26
 
The storage room is not a great idea. Chances are space is already tight and crap is going to get piled in. Reception areas are kept generally clean. Understand they may not want a panelboard in the reception area.
 
I don't think the possibility of the panel being blocked by unscrupulous people to be a valid design input. The employer needs to adequately train employees in electrical safety in the workplace and a maintenance tech to enforce the clearance area.
 
Is it surface mount or will it be possible to recess? Doesn't look like your walls are thick enough for a recess, but maybe that drawing is not to scale. I would recommend against surface mounting in Reception. From an end user perspective, very likely to be seen as an annoyance and intrusion into the space. Also recommend against having behind a door swing. If someone were having to do some live work in the panel, and someone else comes in and swings that door open too quickly, could be problematic.

Short version of my 2 cents, recess in a different wall in Reception, or surface mount in Storage.
 
Kansas Mountain said:
If someone were having to do some live work in the panel, and someone comes in and swings that door open too quickly could be problematic.
Click to expand...
Under what circumstance would live work ever be appropriate on this panel?

In any case, if the risk analysis required to be performed before doing work suggests that there is some hazard, hazard mitigation would need to be performed as part of the work.
 
petersonra said:
Under what circumstance would live work ever be appropriate on this panel?

In any case, if the risk analysis required to be performed before doing work suggests that there is some hazard, hazard mitigation would need to be performed as part of the work.
Click to expand...
I have no idea based on the information that's been provided, and I'm also not an electrician familiar with diagnostic procedures. Maybe there is no legitimate reason to open this panel while it's live. But it does not have to be appropriate in order for it to happen. People take shortcuts and make bad decisions every day. Can't plan for everything of course, but that's just what my train of thought was for this design scenario.
 
I agree behind the door. The storage closet is there for storage. If the building owner is willing to eliminate the storage closet and identify the closet as electrical room/closet then put the panel in there. If it was my building and the electrical designer or electrician put a panel in my storage room without asking then told me I could not store anything there I would not be happy. Panel would be getting moved NOT at my expense.
 
Kansas Mountain said:
If someone were having to do some live work in the panel, and someone else comes in and swings that door open too quickly, could be problematic.
Click to expand...
If this person was not smart enough to figure out a way to keep the door from swinging in on them (think lock or chock) then they definitely would not meet the definition of "Qualified Person"

Roger
 
EC Dan said:
I don't think the possibility of the panel being blocked by unscrupulous people to be a valid design input. The employer needs to adequately train employees in electrical safety in the workplace and a maintenance tech to enforce the clearance area.
Click to expand...
Truly it doesn't matter where it goes in the grand scheme, but it is precisely a design point because it is up to the designer where it goes. Placing it in the storage closet makes a small storage area even less useful.

to put it another way. no way I would want a panelboard in my walk-in closet just because it can go there and the EC will save $500 in wire.
 
roger said:
If this person was not smart enough to figure out a way to keep the door from swinging in on them (think lock or chock) then they definitely would not meet the definition of "Qualified Person"

Roger
Click to expand...

Just like moving furniture to acess outlets, storage-room load centers are always blocked, a poorly qualified design, but most contractors will remove doors that swing into their work.

In my experience, load centers kept clear and workable with occupants inside are installed in hallways, electrical rooms, or the unmolested wall joining both sides of small kitchens.

Kansas Mountain said:
Also recommend against having behind a door swing.
Click to expand...

Some people are natural designers that see alternatives missed by others.
 
drktmplr12 said:
Truly it doesn't matter where it goes in the grand scheme, but it is precisely a design point because it is up to the designer where it goes. Placing it in the storage closet makes a small storage area even less useful.

to put it another way. no way I would want a panelboard in my walk-in closet just because it can go there and the EC will save $500 in wire.
Click to expand...

I do agree that in this case, a room designated as storage has the implicit understanding that it shouldn't have equipment installed in there that would render it useless as storage. Putting the panel in reception does not render it useless as reception.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top