Can anyone tell me what the clearance, if any, between a gas water heater and the homes main electrical panel. Found on that is less than 10" away with the pressure relief valve on same side.........or is it even an issue.

Thanks in advance
Greg (first post)

Gregg,

How much space is on the other side of the Electrical panel?

__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

Depends.

Depends on what direction you mean when you say "less than 10" away".

Do you mean 'on the same wall side-by-side'?

If so, the edge of the water heater could be even with (but not at or over) the edge of the electrical panel ... provided (this is where Billy was going) that there was at least 30" clear from that side by the water to, and beyond, the other side of the electrical panel, AND, that 30" working space was also 36" deep in front of the electrical panel (which is where I was going in asking you about 'do you mean side-by-side').

An easy way to remember the required clear working space in front of an electrical panel: You are standing there looking at the wall the electrical panel is on, is there room to place a large box, 30" wide X 36" deep *in front of the electrical panel* and have the box still cover the electrical panel. You are allowed to slide that 30" wide box back and forth toward either side, but the box must cover the panel (i.e., the box cannot move further than to one edge of the panel).

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )
www.AskCodeMan.com

Thanks to both of you for your reply. I should have been more specific, but your assumptions that they were on the same wall are correct and there is the needed clearance in front of panel, and yes, if I had that "box" it would be able to do what you suggested.

Thanks for your answers! Quick and exactly what I was looking for.

Regards,
Greg

Perhaps this photo would have helped.....Let me know what you think now....doesn't look like that box would work actually....

Greg

Attached Images

DSCN6618.jpg (41.0 KB, 64 views)

Greg,

That's a No Go.

Mr. Peck gave you the correct answer.

If you need the code reference IRC 2003 E 3305.1.

And Welcome to the Site.

__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

Thanks for the info and the welcome! I plan to be here more often and perhaps even contribute!

Greg

Also, this from the 2008 NEC.
- 110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.
- - Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
- - (A) Working Space. Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the dimensions of 110.26(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) or as required or permitted elsewhere in this Code.
- - - (1) Depth of Working Space. The depth of the working space in the direction of live parts shall not be less than that specified in Table 110.26(A)(1) unless the requirements of 110.26(A)(1)(a), (A)(1)(b), or (A)(1)(c) are met. Distances shall be measured from the exposed live parts or from the enclosure or opening if the live parts are enclosed.
- - - - Table 110.26(A)(1) Working Spaces
- - - - - Minimum Clear Distance
- - - - - Nominal Voltage to Ground Condition 1 0–150 volts
- - - - - - 914 mm (3 ft) 914 mm (3 ft) 914 mm (3 ft)
- - - - - - - Note: Where the conditions are as follows:
- - - - - - - - Condition 1 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working space and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live parts on both sides of the working space that are effectively guarded by insulating materials.
- - - (2) Width of Working Space. The width of the working space in front of the electrical equipment shall be the width of the equipment or 762 mm (30 in.), whichever is greater. In all cases, the work space shall permit at least a 90 degree opening of equipment doors or hinged panels.
- - - (3) Height of Working Space. The work space shall be clear and extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required by 110.26(E). Within the height requirements of this section, other equipment that is associated with the electrical installation and is located above or below the electrical equipment shall be permitted to extend not more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond the front of the electrical equipment.
- - (B) Clear Spaces. Working space required by this section shall not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded.
(and there is a lot more to that code section, but that is the most important stuff for dwelling units - which are virtually always 0-150 volts to ground or less)

__________________
Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )
www.AskCodeMan.com

From that picture I would say no there is not the clearance of 36" radius in front of the panel box. It looks clearly from that photo the wh is in front of not beside the panel box.

Randy,

It is not a " 36" radius ", it is a " 30" wide by 36" deep box " which is the required working space in front of the electrical panel (wherever that working space is required - not just in front of the panel).

You can start measuring that 30" width from either side of the panel, it does not matter which side you measure from, or, the panel could be centered, or, anywhere between those two.

And, yes, that panel in the photo does not look like it has anywhere near enough width to that working space.

__________________
Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )
www.AskCodeMan.com

Jerry,
You are correct I was just giving overall rules.

But ... there is no overall rule for a 36" radius???????

__________________
Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )
www.AskCodeMan.com