What's Wrong Here?

[sparks]

Originally Posted by dvalley

So... (in an everyday situation) Is this installation fine?

I would check with your State's Home Inspector's Chairman, the Massachusetts rule in their SOP will surely identify this installation as a defect.

[jtedesco1]

Incident: 5-31-88 has been Responded to.

Topic: General Information
Category: Inspection
Subject: Working Space at AC Units

Question:

Does the Code require working space in front of a disconnect for an AC Unit so that there will be the clearances including width, and depth, or is there some exception to this rule that give the AHJ to permission to waive that rule?

Answer:

--- (brightwk) 6/28/2006 3:14:27 PM
Ontario Electrical Safety Code Rule 2-308, Working Space About Electrical Equipment states: (1) A minimum working space of 1 m with secure footing shall be provided and maintained about electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, control panels, and motor control centres which are enclosed in metal, except that working space is not required behind such equipment where there are no renewable parts such as fuses or switches on the back and where all connections are accessible from locations other than the back. Merriam Webster's online dictionary defines "about" as meaning "on all sides" or "around". Paraphrased using this definition, the rule states "A minimum working space of 1 m with secure footing shall be provided and maintained on all sides of or around electrical equipment such as. Although not specifically mentioned in the rule, disconnecting means are usually included in it's interpretation. Rule 14-406 also requires control devices to be readily accessible. Electrical Inspectors may provide some latitude in the 1 m requirement for smaller equipment such as an AC disconnect provided the intent of the rule is met and the disconnect is readily accessible.



Ken Brightwell
ESA - Code Specialist
ESA encourages the use of Licensed Electrical Contractors.
All electrical work requires a Certificate of Inspection from the Electrical Safety Authority.

[jvogan]

I think I agree with Roy. I think Joe would be one of the "Licensed Electricians" that we refer to in our reports that needs to further evaluate/repair something...he certainly knows electric code...but due to the fact that as HIs we are NOT specialists and certainly shouldn't be quoting code, it would probably just get most of us in trouble...just my 2 cents....

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

In 2 more months, I'll have been doing home inspections for 30 years. I have a simple rule. I could care less in most cases what the code guys say or do. Over 65% of the defects I see were done by a licensed somebody and approved by a city or county codes guy.

My simple rule is this: Forget what the code guy, or contractor, or engineer, etc says is right or wrong - when I walk into the house, I am the home inspection expert or guru - not them. If I think its wrong, I report it as such and recommend repairs, modifications or replacement. After that I don't honestly care what anybody does or does not do - I'm not gonna be living there, they are. If they believe the engineer when he tells them that a foundation wall that has moved in 2.5 inches doesn't look significant; or if they believe the codes guy who tells them the water heaters doesn't need to be raised off the garage floor because its 20 years old and "grandfathered" - good for them. If somebody ever gets hurt - its gonna be somebody elses problem and their lawsuit - its not gonna be my problem.

Dans Rule #1 - Is it right or wrong? Do I like these people enough to wanta pay for repairing this if it becomes a problem? The answer is always NO.
Therefore I recommend repairing, modifying or replacing it.

[David A. Andersen]

I agree with Dan. However, though we are not here to enforce code, where can we come up with the idea that something is wrong? Make it up? Sometimes we do! So long as we can justify it, that's fine! To site a building code for explanation is not "enforcement" of that code. Understanding the code gives you a better understanding of what is right and wrong in accordance to a particular standard. So yes, we do need to know the code. And we need to know the code in every single state whether it's used in your particular area or not. We don't do seismic building code requirements in Tennessee. However, Ben Kelly lives out there on one of the biggest faults around. It caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards! It's a different type of fault then you have in California but it's still a fault! Should we be paying better attention to shear walls and seismic straps on gas water heaters which results in catastrophic fire damage during an earthquake?

[DSuelflow]

As a recovering architect, I’d take issue with the first reply. In the 12 years I was in the business we never specified where the disconnects (or units for that matter) were to be placed. Normally, the PM&E sheets are drawn up and sealed by the engineers. These are typically schematic in nature and it is left up to the trades as to actual location. The closest I ever got to placing PM&E stuff was when I would lay out ACT grids and lights. You are right however, Most architects do not give enough attention (or space) to mechanical rooms, service areas, etc.