?
Friday, August 4, 2017
Question:
My son called me with a code question this morning. It is a good question with a easy answer. However, many electricians would hesitate and answer wrongly if they didn't look at the exact wording in the code book. For this reason I am presenting the question to you and your readers. Mike's question: In front of an electrical panel can there be a floor drain within 36" of the front of the electrical service equipment and within the 30" width space?
My answer was "The wording for the measurement of the working space is from 'the floor' and by definition a floor drain is "in the floor" and therefore outside of the restricted area. Seems strange that the low point in a floor would be so close to the electrical equipment, allowing the flow of water to run towards the electrical equipment, but that is how I read the code. Might be a good suggestion to add wording to the code so as to prevent the slope of the floor to end at an electrical working space. Reasoning is that such a situation would cause a dangerous pooling around electrical equipment. Adding a floor drain would remedy the situation but that would be an exception, since the electrical code normally can't make an obligation on a plumbing ordinance. A good example where "depth" does not mean "a measurement deep in the floor."
All the best, Jeff Glanstein,
A
Answer:
Hey Jeff thanks for sharing your question. The wording regarding the grade, floor or platform is in the rule for the height of the working space as stated in 110.26(A)(3). As you described the rule does not apply to what is within the floor. There have been suggested changes in the past for how level the surface has to be in the working space but they have not been accepted. If you have any thoughts submit a Public Input by September 8.