Sprinklers over electric panels 1

[ryano669]

As a sprinkler guy, I was always told to keep lines 3 feet away from electric panels and never be directly overhead, but I seem to recall reading something lately that specified distances above and away that lines could be. Something like 6 feet or more above is acceptable? Can anyone reference the NEC section that covers the exact requirements? Thanks in advance.

 

[cdafd]

from nfpa 13

8.15.10 Electrical Equipment.
8.15.10.1 Unless the requirements of 8.15.10.3 are met, sprinkler protection shall be required in electrical equipment rooms.
8.15.10.2 Hoods or shields installed to protect important electrical equipment from sprinkler discharge shall be noncombustible.
8.15.10.3 Sprinklers shall not be required in electrical equipment rooms where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The room is dedicated to electrical equipment only.
(2) Only dry-type electrical equipment is used.
(3) Equipment is installed in a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure including protection for penetrations.
(4) No combustible storage is permitted to be stored in the room.



nec 70

(E) Headroom. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 2.0 m (6½ ft). Where the electrical equipment exceeds 2.0 m (6½ ft) in height, the minimum headroom shall not be less than the height of the equipment.



maybe this:::

(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(d).
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.

(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.



here you go:::::::::::


(c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.

 

[FireFreak08]

The electrical code will give you further details on the working clearances above and adjacent to electrical equipment.

 

[JLSeagull]

See NFPA 70 exhibit 110.23 for the dedicated electrical space required by 110.26(F)(1) above and below a panelboard.

Articles 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(d) for indoor installations describe the dedicated Electrical Space. The dedicated electrical space equals the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to 1.8 m above the equipment or to the structural ceiling whichever is lower, dedicagted to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, ... located in this zone. Sprinkler protection is permitted where the piping complies. The handbook shows an image withthe springkers above the working space in front of the dedicated electrical space.