Thread: Serviceman switch

At my condo inspection today the gas fired furnace was located in a hall closet. There was no serviceman switch in closet or on furnace but the thermostat was in hallway less than 10 feet away. My question is, because the thermostat was so close does this satisfy the requirement for a shut-off? Thanks!!

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No, of course not. It doesn't disconnect anything.

Thanks for waking me up Dom, I really did not think that one thru. The electrical panel (breaker) is also in hallway within 15 feet of furnace would this meet requirement. This is a new 2005 condo project and I can't figure how it was approved.

Originally Posted by Tom Rees

The electrical panel (breaker) is also in hallway within 15 feet of furnace would this meet requirement.

Depends.

If the furnace (without any air conditioning system components (such as no evaporator coil) is located in a hall closet which is only deep enough for the furnace and not for the service person to walk into, then the panel will most likely be acceptable as the disconnect.

If the furnace (without any air conditioning system components (such as no evaporator coil) is located in a hall closet which is deep enough for the furnace AND for the service person to walk into, then the panel will most likely NOT be acceptable as the disconnect and a disconnect will be required in the closet.

IF there is an evaporator unit at the furnace, then the disconnect location options change (but in this case, the results in the above two examples do not change - I am just making sure that you are aware of the additional limitations placed on air conditioning equipment if you need it).

Jerry, The closet is not deep enough to walk into but the furnace does have an evaporator unit.

Gas fired appliance in a closet should have a thermal disconnect located in the closet that can interrupt power.

David, I don't think I've ever seen this, could you explain. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by David Bell

Gas fired appliance in a closet should have a thermal disconnect located in the closet that can interrupt power.

Is that code in CT?

According to the NEC there must be an electrical disconnect within reach of the equipment.