Water pipe above electric panel.

[Ken Amelin]

This was observed in a house I inspected this week.

The water line feed to a sprinkler system was routed directly over the electric panel.

Is this a code compliance problem AND is it an issue with plumbing, electric or both codes?

What would you suggest for reporting language?

[John Arnold]

2006 IRC, from figure E3305.1 (my bold)

a. Equipment, piping and ducts foreign to the electrical installation shall not be placed in the shaded areas extending from the floor to a height of 6 feet above the panelboard enclosure, or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower.

Same wording in 2003 IRC, in case 2006 is too recent for you.

[John Arnold]

Let's see if this works -

from 2003 IRC - see image

[Ken Amelin]

John,

That's great. Thanks :)