working clearances: not likely to be energized

[wyreman]

:slaphead:

New sterilizers are going into a building here and there is not enough working clearance in the room.
I would call this a "fail". I am representing the owner in this case.

Installer and manufacturer say there is no need for clearances because

" The likelihood of a pump replacement on that unit is pretty small. We would be OK with installing the union at that time if required.
The electrical panel is not a disconnect and should be locked out and tagged out at the disconnect prior to working on the unit. On the electrical clearance, the Sterilizer Control Box is labeled ?Disconnect Main Power Switch Before Opening Cover and Working On Electrical Components? This indicates that you are not to work on the electrical components while live power is applied. This is in compliance with the NEC 2008 article 110.26 ?Spaces About Electrical Equipment? which states that the 42? work space applies to equipment operating at 600volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance while energized?.​

What can I do to improve this for me to be able to access it later?
Maybe offer to pay them in full later if it does not fail within ten years?


autoclave by hospodi, on Flickr

 

[wyreman]

you know if i have to clamp it or replace parts i don't want to be stuck there.

after all is said and done, don't you need to provide shoulder width and one step back on any eq
unless you are on a battleship

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't know much about this unit but I am guessing there isn't alot of maintenance on this unit so 110.26 would not apply. I also always thought 110.26 was in reference to electrical equipment not the actual piece of equipment that is being wired.

Can the motor be replaced without tearing the unit out? That may be an expensive issue one day.

 

[wyreman]

so equiptment hanging on the electrical system is not covered by working clearances reg?:dunce:
that's just for the switchgear and such

 

[cowboyjwc]

I don't even require clearance for AC disconnects, but that will just hijack this thread. I've had to wire pool motors by literally hanging upside down over the piping and other equipment.