Breaker box in utility closet clearance question

[kevrobster]

So this isn't exactly a garage question as I'm doing this work in the basement, but I believe the question/answer would be the same if I were doing it in the garage.

I am adding a room in the basement of our house and it so happens that our main electrical panel is in the corner of the house where the room is going. I am familiar with the requirement of having clearance of 30" wide x 36" deep going up to a height of like 6"6" around the panel, so what I would like to do is build a "utility" closet around it. I don't want to make it the full 36" deep as it would encroach significantly on the room space. What I was thinking, is building a 24" closet and installing a 30" door directly centered on the panel so that when the door is open, the 36" x 30" x 78" clearance would exist allowing access to service the panel. When the door is closed of course, it would only be 24" of depth.

Can anyone confirm that this is ok/not ok?

Thanks!

 

[Norcal]

What are you going to put in the closet? If clothing is put in it it's a no-go, see 240.24(D). Even if you do not put anything in it that would encroach on the working space, a future resident probably will. Nature abhors a vacuum.

 

[Stuff]

First you would need to go with a 32" door as the door stop reduces the opening width.

You need to speak with your local code authority.

 

[Shiftless]

So this isn't exactly a garage question as I'm doing this work in the basement, but I believe the question/answer would be the same if I were doing it in the garage.

I am adding a room in the basement of our house and it so happens that our main electrical panel is in the corner of the house where the room is going. I am familiar with the requirement of having clearance of 30" wide x 36" deep going up to a height of like 6"6" around the panel, so what I would like to do is build a "utility" closet around it. I don't want to make it the full 36" deep as it would encroach significantly on the room space. What I was thinking, is building a 24" closet and installing a 30" door directly centered on the panel so that when the door is open, the 36" x 30" x 78" clearance would exist allowing access to service the panel. When the door is closed of course, it would only be 24" of depth.


Can anyone confirm that this is ok/not ok?

Thanks!

If you put anything in the closet, you don't have clearance.
Don't build a closet at all!
I have seen installations where the breaker box is recessed into the wall and covered by a cabinet door.
As long as you don't put furniture in front of it, I would think it would be OK with your inspector.

Anybody try this and get it approved?

 

[kevrobster]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am a aware that I can't put anything combustible in the closet, or at least tell the inspector I don't "intend" to put anything combustible in the closet .

I would like to avoid building a closet altogether, but the location of the panel makes it difficult to do anything else. It's hard to explain, but the panel is at the end of the wall, and I would like for the majority of that wall to be a clothes closet. This would make for a messed up floorplan to have a little 3 ft "cubby" in the corner.

So if I do a 32" door can anyone confirm that it would be a legal installation? Eventually I will have to talk with the inspector but I'm just trying to decide how to plan.

Thanks!

 

[rockwithjason]

You will have a hard time selling this to most inspectors. They know that anything with a door will end up with contraband stored in it. If you do build the closet absolutely nothing can be in the working space for the panel as defined in the nec. You will also have to have lighting installed.

 

[the gypsy]

So let me see if I understand the concept. The only reason they want such a big closet opening is to allow an electrician to be able to work in that area? But with dimension required and space being at a premium in most homes does;t this make it a potewntial closet where people can store stuff? By making it less wide and less deep would it not be a better idea?
So I was thinking if I made a double hinged door. So the door in the front of the closet is hinged like a regular door. But I add hinges on the side wall between the wall and the closet wall so that if I need to work or an electrician needs to work I can open it up almost like if there were no enclosure at all, would this be legal? Is there another reason for such a big enclosure?
I hope I painted a clear picture of my idea.