working space

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Btrox

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I was wondering what people think about 110.26 and how much you enforce it. I work in a plant and as most industrial plants we have lots of equipment. As usual, some of this equipment ends up in front of panelboards, tables, trash cans, easy items to move, but does this make them "ready and safe operation" as it says in this article. I would draw the line at a heavy item such as a tote or something that needs a lift to move. Most items are light and can be moved easily from the area.
As the article states,
"Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment."

Now, does the word "ready" mean readily accessible"
this would imply that definition of quickly reached and not to remove obstacles to get to electrical equipment: (you can look up readily accessibly)

I am of the impression if items are light and easy to move, it would be OK to have in front of a panel. Slide it away and your in. What say you?
 
110.26(B) Clear Spaces. Working space required by this section
shall not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live
parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working
space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be
suitably guarded.
 
Code says no storage. Now come back in a couple weeks and see if the space is still clear. Even so called electrical rooms will usually get stuffed full of crap the owner/user could not find any place for. This is a never ending battle. I am usually happy myself if whatever is in the way is easily moved out of the way. Inspectors here always put a sticker on panels and other equipment that state working clearances and not to place anything in front of the panel. My guess is only less than 1 percent of the installed stickers are ever read.
 
I just read an article, where a lowes had a plastic shelf unit in a Electrical closet, and an electrician had the covers off the switch gear, well, someone walked in and the door hit the shelving unit, where on top laid a chainsaw that fell into the switchgear causing a fault... crazy, but totally unavoidable.
 
stickboy1375 said:
I just read an article, where a lowes had a plastic shelf unit in a Electrical closet, and an electrician had the covers off the switch gear, well, someone walked in and the door hit the shelving unit, where on top laid a chainsaw that fell into the switchgear causing a fault... crazy, but totally unavoidable.
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Sounds avoidable to me.

1. why does the chainsaw need to be in an electrical closet?

2. why does the door need to open into the closet?

3. If following 70E, chance of working on live equipment is greatly reduced. (and everybody follows this one:happyno:)
 
kwired said:
Sounds avoidable to me.

1. why does the chainsaw need to be in an electrical closet?

2. why does the door need to open into the closet?

3. If following 70E, chance of working on live equipment is greatly reduced. (and everybody follows this one:happyno:)
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The chainsaw was used for cutting off the bottoms of xmas trees, not sure why it was stored on the top shelf, that itself was agains store policy, never mind the plastic shelving unit behind the door of the electrical closet. :happyno:
 
Well here that is one of the fire marshals petpives, first time warning with reinspect + fee, second time $1,000.00 fine, third time $2500.00 fine (max allowed in Indiana) Fire inspections here are at 1 year intervals, but can be reduced to 6 months for frequent violators.
 
hurk27 said:
Well here that is one of the fire marshals petpives, first time warning with reinspect + fee, second time $1,000.00 fine, third time $2500.00 fine (max allowed in Indiana) Fire inspections here are at 1 year intervals, but can be reduced to 6 months for frequent violators.
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Do they inspect unannounced or do they schedule inspections? Scheduled inspections are easier to pass - the few days before inspection that is usually the main focus and even extra employees may be scheduled if needed to make things right.

I will not even get into the health and human service inspections that are always scheduled - they need to come unannounced to most places and see what really goes on:rant:.
 
kwired said:
Do they inspect unannounced or do they schedule inspections? Scheduled inspections are easier to pass - the few days before inspection that is usually the main focus and even extra employees may be scheduled if needed to make things right.

I will not even get into the health and human service inspections that are always scheduled - they need to come unannounced to most places and see what really goes on:rant:.
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Nope no schedule here just show up, being a public place and all?

Oh and thats fire and or health
 
kwired said:
Do they inspect unannounced or do they schedule inspections? Scheduled inspections are easier to pass - the few days before inspection that is usually the main focus and even extra employees may be scheduled if needed to make things right..
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Any manufacturer of buildings that are shipped into Massachusetts must provide in their QC manuals a notarized letter stating that the state can show up unannounced at any time during regular business hours to inspect the facilities for compliance to their standards.
It is also required by a lot of other states but not to the degree that MA. requires.
 
hurk27 said:
Nope no schedule here just show up, being a public place and all?

Oh and thats fire and or health
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I guess I should say that while they have no set schedule, most restaurants and bars have a watch out between them as when the health dept. is out they go from place to place and the first place hit starts dialing the next place down the line and so on, but the fire marshal is keen to this and bounces all over the place and might do 3 one day but hit a totally different area two days later or even three, or mix it all up you just never know with them.
 
Btrox said:
As the article states, "Access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment."
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The "ready and safe" words pertain to the operation and maintenance of the equipment, not to the amount of work you would have to do to get to the equipment. It is not about having a light box in the way that you can "readily" move. It is about having nothing in the way, so that it is safe for you to work there.
 
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I agree with panel boards, panels on equipment, and disconnects but "spaces about electrical equipment"

equipment is defined as "A general term including material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, and the like used as part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation."

couldn't this be carried to the extend that a junction box in the ceiling could not have anything stored below it?

Don't yo have to use some reasoning that the intent of the law is to keep you safe.

If you have a roll around table for tools instead of a tool belt, can you roll it inside of the "clear space"?
 
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