National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Question:

Thank you for providing this form for code questions! It is helpful for all involved.

In regards to panic hardware required within 25 feet of work space of electrical equipment rated over 800 amps-NEC 110.26(C)(3): Do all egress doors within 25 feet of work space need to be equipped with panic hardware even if the door does not lead directly from an electrical room. Another words, if there is panic hardware on the door leading out of the electrical room into an office and the door leading from the office to the hall was less than 25 feet from the work space would it need panic hardware as well even though there is no electrical equipment in the office? The picture on page 39 of the Analysis of Changes to the 2014 NEC seems to imply this requirement.

Thanks! Mike

A

Answer:

Hey Mike thanks for your question and the compliment. Yes, you captured the concept by using the word "egress". A personnel door or doors - intended for entrance and egress from the working space must have listed panic hardware and open in the direction of egress as stated in 110.26(C)(3). A door within 25 feet that was for a storage closet would typically not be considered as one intended entrance and egress.

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