Reach for the sky...
...is not always something you always hear in some spaghetti western. Every now and then, if we really want something bad enough, we will stretch out of our comfort zones to acheive. However; we do not want to stretch out of our comfort zone to reach or access an electric service panel. 

The Nashville area is quite hilly. And builders often take heed of steeper slopes to ensure that the finish grade falls within drainage and other building guidelines. However, probably through a comedy of errors, this panel was placed to where only the Jolly Green Giant could reach for it. Mere humans would have to reach for the sky.

Although, there was not a "governing code" determining height requirements at the time this panel was installed the accepted ruled-of-thumb is that the main breaker should be no more than 72" above ground. In this case, the breaker was 85" to the top of the grade and you may want to add another 12" to that if you want to stand on stable ground. Either way, one has to reach for the sky.

For safety reasons, all electric panels need to be readily accessible. This panel was not. Having to set up an extension ladder is not something you want to do if you are in a fight or flight situation. Needless to say, having to reach for the sky made it into this report. 

 © 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com

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