Width of working space

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NUWC Safety

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Hi all! I am so glad to have found such an informative forum on electrical, NEC and open communication among the professionals.

So, I have a dilemma interpreting and proving what I believe is multiple violations concerning power disconnect switch locations indoors. 459 FORISL 37.jpg

The picture shows an example wall location, with (2) disconnect switches/power source boxes and the construction of a storage rack system just above and a press machine to the left.

How I interpret NEC 2014, 110.26, Width of working space and dedicated equipment space, is we treat this as "electrical equipment". I realize the powersource, or switch is not "switchgear, a panel board, or a motor control center", but shouldn't the same width of working space regulations in 110.26, (A) (2) Width of working space, (3) Height of working space, (B) Clear spaces and (E) Dedicated equipment space.

I'm struggling with defining the power source knife switches, and their relation to width of working spaces.

I would really like to be able to cite the NEC, and cite the (location) as non-compliant, and cite how to properly access and working space to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of equipment.


459 FORISL 1.jpg
Conduit trip hazard, power switches running along center of bay, crowded machinery

459 FORISL 26.jpg

Trip hazards, crowded paneling
Trip Hazard / conduit running along ground 459 FORISL 39.jpg
 
NUWC Safety said:
I would really like to be able to cite the NEC, and cite the (location) as non-compliant, and cite how to properly access and working space to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of equipment.
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I'd say 110.26.

Even though you may shut a disconnect off and open the door, the line side of the disconnect may still be energized and in my opinion would fall under the rules of this section.

Others may see it differently.

JAP>
 
You have the right article, except for subparagraph (E). I agree that you are looking at violations. The storage rack on the first photo is clearly within the space that is required to be kept clear. The photos that show conduits along the floor in front of equipment, such that you would stand on the conduits while working on the equipment, violate the rule that says space must be kept clear from the floor to a height of 6'-6". But the "dedicated space" rule in (E) really does apply only to switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers. My believe is that the space directly above and below such equipment is reserved for the future installation of conduits. A disconnect switch, for example, once installed, will not need to have conduits added in the future.
 
What is a defined height above Disconnect Switches?

What is a defined height above Disconnect Switches?

charlie b said:
You have the right article, except for subparagraph (E). I agree that you are looking at violations. The storage rack on the first photo is clearly within the space that is required to be kept clear. The photos that show conduits along the floor in front of equipment, such that you would stand on the conduits while working on the equipment, violate the rule that says space must be kept clear from the floor to a height of 6'-6". But the "dedicated space" rule in (E) really does apply only to switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers. My believe is that the space directly above and below such equipment is reserved for the future installation of conduits. A disconnect switch, for example, once installed, will not need to have conduits added in the future.
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Thanks Charlie, what is the defined height above disconnect switches, such as in the picture, which should be clear?
 
charlie b said:
A disconnect switch, for example, once installed, will not need to have conduits added in the future.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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Although I agree with all the rest, I'd have to disagree with this part of it.

If a switchboard is filled to capacity and there is no need to have any more conduits added in the future, can you disregard the rule ?

I think not.

How would this be any different if say the disconnect was fed from the back and feeding something below it, then, whatever it was feeding got moved and now needs to be fed out of the side or top of the disconnect instead?

JAP>
 
jap said:
Although I agree with all the rest, I'd have to disagree with this part of it.JAP>
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No you don't. I was expressing my belief as to the reason for the rule. You don't get to disagree that that is my belief. :happyno:

 
NUWC Safety said:
Thanks, if the NEC doesn't cover it, what code or regulation would cover such disconnect switches? :?
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Nothing. That was my intended point. You are free to run a water pipe over the top of a disconnect switch, and install a piping cleanout connection directly below one, leaving only one inch between the disconnect and the two plumbing components. The only requirement that still applies is the working clearance in front of the disconnect switch. So the two plumbing items cannot extend beyond the front face of the switch.

 
charlie b said:
No you don't. I was expressing my belief as to the reason for the rule. You don't get to disagree that that is my belief. :happyno:
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Easy Charlie, The only reason I disagreed is so you'd have to post back and use the word "belief" correctly the 2nd go round. :D


JAP>
 
But your "believe" may very well be the reasoning behind it.

I don't know.

JAP>
 
I should use my super-moderator powers and change the word from believe to belief. Then nobody will understand the subsequent comments. :lol:
 
charlie b said:
I should use my super-moderator powers and change the word from believe to belief. Then nobody will understand the subsequent comments. :lol:
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There's been many times on this forum where I wish I had that power myself. :)


JAP>
 
Clearances above and below disconnect switch

Clearances above and below disconnect switch

thanks for the input, but I still do not know what to cite correctly, to identify violations above and below the disconnect switch, if there is interference above and below working space.


How far above the disconnect switch may the building personnel install industrial shelving? :?
 
I have tried to make this clear. I will try only one more time.

First, let’s talk about “working clearance.”

  • Reference 110.26(A).
  • It applies to almost all electrical equipment. That does include disconnect switches.
  • It starts at the front face of the equipment, and extends outwards at least 3 feet. See the table for other distances.
  • It extends from the floor to a point 6-1/2 feet above the floor.
  • It extends 30 inches wide, or the width of the equipment, whichever is more.
  • It does not include the space directly above or directly below the equipment.
  • Nothing is allowed to be installed or stored in this area.

Now let’s talk about “dedicated equipment space.”

  • Reference 110.26(E).
  • It applies only to exactly four things: switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers.
  • It does not apply to disconnect switches.
  • It includes the space directly below the equipment itself, all the way to the floor.
  • It includes the space directly above the equipment itself, from the top of the equipment to a point 6 feet above the equipment (or to the structural ceiling, if that is less than 6 feet above the equipment).
  • No pipes, ducts, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation is allowed in that space.

To address your specific question (if I understand it correctly), THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PUT A SHELF DIRECTLY OVER YOUR DISCONNECT SWITCH! There is no rule against it. You can’t cite an NEC requirement that this would violate, as there is none. Am I being clear enough?

Please note that if the shelf extends farther from the wall than the switch itself, then the shelf might violate the working clearance rules.
 
Disconnect switches are not covered under NEC, ok...But, panelboards are!

Disconnect switches are not covered under NEC, ok...But, panelboards are!

Thanks Charles, I'm just trying to see if the NEC applies - but, so what you're saying, it nothing applies to the previously mentioned disconnect switched (power sources) on/off boxes? It's ok to place machinery right up against it, beside it, below it and above it...no worries.

Maybe I can use OSHA,
CFR 1910.22(b)(1)
•Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made.

•Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.

(Part 2)
However, the actual panelboard, in the other picture dictates NEC requirements, 110.26. (E):

* It applies only to exactly four things: switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers.

* It includes the space directly below the equipment itself, all the way to the floor (6.5 feet) (so no conduit?)

How tall above the panel? If the panel is at 6', can you still have anything above the panel?

And is depth 3 feet, width still 30"?

And the below pictures are in your opinion, violations of the code?

459 FORISL 1.jpg

459 FORISL 26.jpg
 
NUWC Safety said:
. . . so what you're saying, it nothing applies to the previously mentioned disconnect switched (power sources) on/off boxes? It's ok to place machinery right up against it, beside it, below it and above it...no worries.
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I didn’t say that “nothing applies” to the disconnect switches. I said that “working clearance rules” do apply. That means nothing in front of them. It might also restrict putting machinery beside it, if the machinery prevents you from having the required 30” wide, 36” (or possibly more) deep, and 72” high all clear.
NUWC Safety said:
* It includes the space directly below the equipment itself, all the way to the floor (6.5 feet) (so no conduit?)
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I didn’t say “no conduit,” and neither does 110.26(E). It says nothing foreign to the electrical installation can go directly above or below. Conduit is not foreign.
NUWC Safety said:
How tall above the panel? If the panel is at 6', can you still have anything above the panel?
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It does not matter how tall the panel is. The “dedicated equipment space” starts at the top of the panel. If the top of the panel is at 8’ and the ceiling is at 18 feet, then the “dedicated equipment space” goes from 8’ above the floor to 14’ above the floor.
NUWC Safety said:
And the below pictures are in your opinion, violations of the code?
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Yes they are. But they are not violations of the “dedicated equipment space” rule. The conduits that extend downwards from the equipment are OK, until they turn away from the wall and are now inside the “working clearance.” You have to be able to stand on the floor in front of the panel, without having to stand on conduits.



 
I think I'd buy Charlie dinner and have him standing beside me for support before I decided to throw all this at em. :)


JAP>
 
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