Work space above a panel

[mshields]

Putting some panels in an existing warehouse. Above those panels, is a water pipe of some kind (don't know at what height - I'm relying on other people's input at this point). Someone suggested that we put a protective hood over the panels and that would be in accordance with Article 110 of the NEC.

My take on this is that this is a good idea if the pipe is 6 feet above the panel, but if the pipe is, say, only 4 or 5 feet above the panel, I would think this a problem.

What say you?

 

[infinity]

The pipe is required to be 6' above the footprint of the panel and would require a drip pan. At 4-5' you can not comply with the required dedicated space.

 

[77401]

You engineers make me laugh! LOL
so what about the water pipe?
Are you worried about "what if"?
Do you have a protective hood under the roof "in case it leaks too?

What do y'all learn in college?

 

[Minuteman]

Are you worried about "what if"?

I saw a Drip pan installed back when I worked for somebody else. State inspector walked on a new Job where the plumbers had run a drain pipe parallel about 5' over our 1600 amp MDP.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

The requirement says 6 ft or to the structural ceiling... If it becomes a big issue, have them build a structural ceiling around the pipe and be done with it.

 

[iwire]

Are you worried about "what if"?
Do you have a protective hood under the roof "in case it leaks too?

Yes,,,,yes I do, you have to be prepared.

Here is what I like to see.

That sprinkler line 6' away might have sprung a leak and rained onto the electric equipment.

More here

 

[rcwilson]

The Federal Courthouse in Spokane, Washington had the nicest drip pan in the basement over several lineups of MCC's and switchgear. All the pans were made of formed sheet copper. All joints and seams were soldered and all of the edges were rolled, like a stainless counter for a commercial dishwasher. . The drip pans sat about 1/2" above the MCC and had copper drain pipes leading to the floor drains. Each conduit that penetrated the drip pan was flashed in with a soldered copper sleeve. A great job by a craftsman.

The ceiling of the electrical room was under a driveway that had embedded ice melting cables. The melted ice would seep through the concrete and run onto the MCC's and panels. Instead of fixing the leaks, they drained the leaks away from the top of the gear.

I guess it works. It had been energzied for 15 years when I first saw it.

 

[sceepe]

You engineers make me laugh! LOL
so what about the water pipe?
Are you worried about "what if"?
Do you have a protective hood under the roof "in case it leaks too?

What do y'all learn in college?

Its required by the code. What the @#$ does being an engineer have to do with it? There was nothing in the answer to this question that was a design issue for you to criticize. If you don't like the code don't complain about engineers.

As for what we learn in college, some of us learn to think before we type.

 

[Mike03a3]

Yes,,,,yes I do, you have to be prepared.

Here is what I like to see.

More here

Doesn't this prohibit the metal shield in the photo?

110.26(F)(1) Indoor Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(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.

 

[infinity]

Doesn't this prohibit the metal shield in the photo?

I agree with you. But IMO the 6' space required above this equipment is ridiculous. Obviously the installation is perfect without the 6' of space.

 

[McDowellb]

Yes,,,,yes I do, you have to be prepared.

Here is what I like to see.

That sprinkler line 6' away might have sprung a leak and rained onto the electric equipment.

More here

Honestly? How rediculous is that installation. Under budget and on time is my motto.

 

[mshields]

Under budget and on time

Under budget and on time

A few rules I go by:

Don't allow an electrical inspector to embarass you in front of your client by pointing out that you have not adhered to the letter of the code.

Don't give EC's an opportunity to get a change order when you can avoid it.

Don't allow lawyers to find something to sue you over should an accident occur.

Putting the drip pan in satisfies all of the above rules. As such, I'm going to specify one. And if the electrician thinks that's funny, I can live with that!

Mike

 

[kingpb]

I say, MOVE THE PIPE!

 

[McDowellb]

A few rules I go by:

Don't allow an electrical inspector to embarass you in front of your client by pointing out that you have not adhered to the letter of the code.

Don't give EC's an opportunity to get a change order when you can avoid it.

Don't allow lawyers to find something to sue you over should an accident occur.

Putting the drip pan in satisfies all of the above rules. As such, I'm going to specify one. And if the electrician thinks that's funny, I can live with that!

Mike

As an electrical contractor, I am in the business to make money. My employees and I meet and exceed the minimum codes. When someone is shooting from the hip asking for things that are not in my contract or are not a code item, then I expect a change order. I frequently do things that are not in the contract at no charge. I have never had an inspector embarass me as of yet. I get along with all the GC's I sub-contract with even if I don't much care for some of them.

 

[hockeyoligist2]

Cool pictures Bob, how much did that cost? Lots of $$$$$$$$$$$ I would think!

 

[jtester]

As an electrical contractor, I am in the business to make money. My employees and I meet and exceed the minimum codes. When someone is shooting from the hip asking for things that are not in my contract or are not a code item, then I expect a change order. I frequently do things that are not in the contract at no charge. I have never had an inspector embarass me as of yet. I get along with all the GC's I sub-contract with even if I don't much care for some of them.

As a design engineer, I don't care if it is in your contract or if it is beyond the code minimum, if it is on my drawings you will build it to my specifications or you will get me to issue an addendum to OK the change. That is the law in New Mexico, and I suspect in many other places.

Whether you can get a change order for the work would depend on whether you had access to my design before you bid the job, and obviously your relationship with the GC.

Jim T

 

[mshields]

Wow! - It's getting hot in here today

Wow! - It's getting hot in here today

Mr McDowell,

You sound like many of the EC's I enjoy working with. I didn't mean to paint electricians with a broad brush as I have great respect for most of the ones I deal with. They've taught me much! Furthermore I've learned quite alot from many of the electricians who frequent this board.

Please accept my apology.

Mike

 

[McDowellb]

Mr McDowell,

You sound like many of the EC's I enjoy working with. I didn't mean to paint electricians with a broad brush as I have great respect for most of the ones I deal with. They've taught me much! Furthermore I've learned quite alot from many of the electricians who frequent this board.

Please accept my apology.

Mike

I appreciate that. Thanks.

 

[McDowellb]

As a design engineer, I don't care if it is in your contract or if it is beyond the code minimum, if it is on my drawings you will build it to my specifications or you will get me to issue an addendum to OK the change. That is the law in New Mexico, and I suspect in many other places.

Whether you can get a change order for the work would depend on whether you had access to my design before you bid the job, and obviously your relationship with the GC.

Jim T

As I said before, If it's a code item or contract (which includes plans) I install per contract. Anything else the designer, owner, or contractor will pay my change order.

 

[Mike03a3]

I agree with you. But IMO the 6' space required above this equipment is ridiculous. Obviously the installation is perfect without the 6' of space.

I don't disagree, but regrettably my opinion doesn't count since I don't vote on the NEC.