Mount Vernon WA Home Inspector (King of the House): Your Crampin’ My Style -- Inadequate Clearances

For some reason, homeowners insist on putting in obstacles that make access to their electric panels unsafe. That in itself is a defect to be called out on an inspection report. To be considered accessible, a panel must have an open area at least 30" x 3' deep at the front; about 5 1/2' of space from the floor to the center of the panel -- eye level; at least 6'3" of headroom in front; walls, below the panel, must be unencumbered clear down to the floor. If, like inspectors, homeowners ever opened their own panels, they would understand the problems they have created by building in obstacles. First, often the panel is blocked by cupboards and shelves, like the old one shown here, and the wires are not up to stress, pulling and prying, nor is the insulation on the wires up for any of those conditions. The lucky inspector has to get the panel cover off without dislodging anything and without shorting the circuit or coming in contact with an ungrounded conductor (hot wire). When front access is limited, or some obstacle is in place that eliminates the option of pulling a cover straight out, things get stressful. A panel often has to be opened like a book, by pulling it open with one edge hinged to the side. That can make an inspector real nervous, as the cover may bind, and one usually has to apply pressure to the sides of breakers, some of which are not always hooked so well in a panel. Also, often the inspector is stretched as far as he or she can go, just trying to get everything apart and back together. If an inspector refuses to open a panel, because he or she considers it unsafe, keep in mind the guidelines mentioned at the top of this blog. The inspector may have a valid point.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steven L. Smith

www.kingofthehouse.com