How have NEC 2023 requirements for electrical equipment working space access and egress changed?
Overview
Following the revisions/additions made for access and egress of equipment rated 1000 volts or less, the requirements for access and egress for working spaces for equipment rated over 1000 volts was also revised. Subdivision 110.33(A)
includes revisions to the space required for entrance to enclosure and access to working space, and Item 110.34(A) covers the work space (which includes the floor, grade, or platform area within the working space), and guarding. These updated requirements will create safer working environments for personnel, and help to prevent entrapment and tripping hazards.
Applying the 2023 Code
The 2023 NEC has revised both Subdivision 110.33(A) and Subdivision 110.34(A) to provide additional safety measures for personnel. Additional language has been added to 110.33(A) to prohibit open doors from impeding access to and egress from the working space. It also specifies that access is considered to be impeded if open doors restrict working space access to less than 24 inches wide, and 6 1/2 feet tall. Subdivision 110.34(A) now includes additional language clarifying that the grade, floor, or platform located within the working space needs to be kept clear, and the grade/floor/platform needs to be as level as practical for the entire length/depth of the working space. These two revisions aim to prevent entrapment and tripping hazards which could result in worker injury or death. Moving forward, the electrical professional will need to plan ahead, and ensure that equipment doors, when open, do not impede the Once the equipment is installed, the working space must be kept clear.
What’s New for the 2023 NEC?
2020 NEC
In the 2020 NEC Section 110.33(A) read as follows (less any list items):
| (A) Entrance.
At least one entrance to enclosures for electrical installations as described in 110.31 not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electrical equipment. |
In the 2020 NEC Section 110.34(A) read as follows (less the exception and table):
| (A) Working Space.
Except as elsewhere required or permitted in this Code, equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall have clear working space in the direction of access to live parts of the electrical equipment and shall be not less than specified in Table 110.34(A). Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if such are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening if such are enclosed. |
2023 NEC
In the 2023 NEC Section 110.33(A) read as follows (less any list items
| (A) Entrance.
At least one entrance to enclosures for electrical installations as described in 110.31 not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electrical equipment. Open equipment doors shall not impede access to and egress from the working space. Access or egress is impeded if one or more simultaneously opened equipment doors restrict working space access to be less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft) high.
|
In the 110.34(A) read as follows (less the exception and table):
| (A) Working Space.
Except as elsewhere required or permitted in this Code, equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall have clear working space in the direction of access to live parts of the electrical equipment and shall be not less than specified in Table 110.34(A). Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if such are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening if such are enclosed. The grade, floor, or platform in the required working space shall be kept clear, and the floor, grade, or platform in the working space shall be as level and flat as practical for the entire depth and width of the working space. |
Login with Google