How much working space is enough?

 

By Mike Holt for EC&M Magazine

 

Don’t assume three feet of working space applies in all situations.

 

OSHA and the NEC [110.26] provide working space requirements that vary with conditions. The NEC starts 110.26 by stating the space must be sufficient for “ready and safe operation and maintenance” of the electrical equipment.

That single condition both underlies and overrides all else in 110.26.

 

When interpreting and applying the requirements, the goal isn’t to see what you can get by with. The goal is to protect people and property. Consequently, you may need to exceed the numbers given in 110.26 to satisfy the intent of 110.26. Think through the work process. For example, is there enough room to safely use a lifting boom on that heavy breaker?

 

Requirement exceptions

 

Per 90.3, the working space requirements of 110.26 don’t apply to equipment included in Chapter 8. However, signaling and communications equipment can’t encroach on the working space of the electrical equipment.

 

The NEC doesn’t require working space for the back or sides of an assembly where all connections and all renewable or adjustable parts are accessible from the front. “Accessible” is the key word, here; read the Article 100 definition.

Where special permission is granted per 90.4, working space for equipment that operates at not more than 30V ac or 60V dc can be less than the distance in Table 110.26(A)(1). Read the definition of “Special Permission” in Article 100.

If you’re replacing electrical equipment, you can apply Table 110.26 Condition 2 working space requirements between dead-front switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers located across the aisle from each other. But only if:

 

• Conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that written procedures have been adopted to prohibit equipment on both sides of the aisle from being open at the same time, and
• Only authorized, qualified persons will service the installation.

Width, depth, and height

 

A common area of disagreement is the phrase “while energized” in 110.26(A), which says, “Equipment that may need examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized must have sufficient working space in accordance with (1), (2), and (3)….”  Get clarification on what “while energized” means from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

 

In all cases, the working space must be of sufficient width, depth, and height to permit all equipment doors to open 90 degrees.

 

The width of the working space must be a minimum of 30 in., but in no case less than the width of the equipment.

 

You can measure the width of the working from left-to-right, from right-to-left, or simply centered on the equipment. The working space for one piece of equipment can overlap the working space for other electrical equipment.

 

See Table 110.26(A)(1) for the minimum depth required of a specific application. It’s not always three feet. For example, it’s 4 ft at a 480V MCC with exposed live parts on both sides of the working space.

 

“Headroom” is another way we refer to the height of a working space. For service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control equipment, the headroom in front of equipment must be at least 6½ ft, measured from the grade, floor, or platform [110.26(E)]. For equipment over 6½ ft in height, the headroom can’t be less than the height of the equipment.

 

Exception: The minimum headroom requirement doesn’t apply to service equipment or panelboards rated 200A or less in an existing dwelling unit. See the definition of “Dwelling Unit” in Article 100.

 

Equipment such as raceways, cables, wireways, cabinets, and panels can be above or below electrical equipment, but must not extend more than 6 in. into the equipment working space.

 

Clear spaces

 

Working space covered by 110.26 must be clear at all times [110.26(B)]. Therefore, it can’t double as a storage area. It’s dangerous to service energized parts in the first place. It’s unacceptable to subject electrical workers to the additional dangers of working around boxes, cabinets, and other impediments in their working space.

 

When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing in a passageway, the working space must be suitably guarded from occupants using the passageway. Make allowances for a fire alarm evacuation, which will have numerous occupants moving through the passageway.

 

Entrance and Egress

 

At least one entrance of sufficient area must provide access to and egress from the working space [110.26(C)(1)]. Building codes contain minimum dimensions for doors and openings for personnel travel. Check with the AHJ for clarification of “sufficient area.”

 

You must have an entrance to and egress from separate ends of the working space of electrical equipment rated 1,200A or more, if the equipment is over 6 ft wide. The opening must be not less than 24 in. wide and 6½ ft high. You can have a single entrance/egress at one end, if:

 

• The location permits a continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel, or.
• The required working space depth is doubled, and the equipment is located so the edge of the entrance is no closer than the required working space distance.

Where equipment with overcurrent or switching devices rated 1,200A or more is installed, personnel door(s) for entrance to and egress from the working space located less than 25 ft from the nearest edge of the working space must have the door(s) open in the direction of egress and be equipped with panic hardware or other devices that open under simple pressure.

 

Electricians who suffer burns on their hands in electrical arc flash or arc blast events often can’t open doors equipped with knobs that must be turned. Since this requirement is in the NEC, the electrical contractor is responsible for ensuring that panic hardware is installed where required. Some electrical contractors chafe at being held liable for nonelectrical responsibilities, but this rule exists to save the lives of electricians.

 

Illumination

 

Service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers located indoors must have illumination in (or next to) the working space [110.26(D)]. Illumination must not be controlled by automatic means only.

 

The NEC doesn’t provide the minimum foot-candles required for proper illumination, but lighting application guides do. Proper illumination of electrical equipment rooms is essential for the safety of those working on such equipment.

 

Saving a few bucks on installed lighting only to incur the costs of temporary lighting or extended downtime later isn’t good economics. But this isn’t a matter of just economics. The safety issue makes good lighting not just sensible, but imperative.

 

Dedicated space

 

Switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers must have dedicated equipment space and be protected from damage [110.26(F).

 

Outdoor equipment must comply with 110.26(F)(2). For indoor equipment, the following requirements apply.

 

• The footprint space (width and depth of the equipment) extending from the floor to a height of 6 ft above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, must be dedicated for the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation can be installed in this dedicated footprint space.

Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels can be within the dedicated footprint space [110.26(G)].

 

• Electrical raceways and cables not associated with the dedicated space can be within the dedicated space. These aren’t considered “equipment foreign to the electrical installation.”
• Foreign systems can be located above the dedicated space if protection is installed to prevent damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in the foreign systems.
• Sprinkler protection piping isn’t permitted in the dedicated space, but the NEC doesn’t prohibit sprinklers from spraying water on electrical equipment.
• A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling isn’t considered a structural ceiling.
• Electrical equipment rooms and enclosures housing electrical equipment or apparatus controlled by locks are considered accessible to qualified persons who require access.

See the definition of “Accessible as it applies to equipment” in Article 100.

 

Now you can answer the question of how much working space is enough. And you know that a correct answer depends on what space you’re talking about, what equipment is in that space, and other factors. The distance tables in OSHA and in 110.26 are starting points, not maximums.

 

What you’re really trying to do is ensure that the space around the equipment doesn’t prevent the safe operation and maintenance of that equipment. Meet that goal, and you’ll satisfy OSHA, the NEC, and your insurance company. None of these are concerned, however, with the efficiency of maintenance and operation.

 

Often, people want to reduce working space in a misguided effort to maximize revenue per square foot for the facility. The reality is that you maximize revenue per square foot only when you allow enough space for efficient operation, maintenance, and repair.