Machine electrical access door clearence

[lupica]

We have a few molding machines and would like to put small assembly tables (on wheels, 15 lbs, easily moveable) up against them. The desired location of the tables are in front of a keyed/locked access door on the machine. Inside the door are the cpu/electrical/computer guts of the machine. Is this considered an "electrical panel" which would require a 36" area in front of it that needs to be completely free of obstruction?

 

[skiier]

yes

 

[lupica]

I was under the impression that this 36" was only for circuit panels such as circuit breaker boxes that require immediate access... or electrical circuitry that is needed for emergency shutdown of equipment.
Why would we need to keep the area completely clear of all obstructions (even if easily moveble) if this is merely a door that you need to open only if you need to change a cpu board or something that has to do with running the machine?

 

[dbaird]

Review NFPA 79 "Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery" section 11.5 covers this.

David Baird

Sr Controls Designer
EET degree.
Journeyman Electrician.

 

[dbaird]

OHSA also has strict guidelines for working space.

1910.303(g)(1)(i)
Working space for equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the following dimensions, except as required or permitted elsewhere in this subpart:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9880

David Baird

Sr Controls Designer
EET degree.
Journeyman Electrician.

 

[lupica]

Does this apply if this is a locked and requires a key to open it? After the door is unlocked, there is a handle on it that needs to be turned to open it. As it is turned it shuts off power to all components inside the panel. Only qualified maintenence personel are allowed to open this and have keys.

 

[skiier]

it seems you are quite intent on putting something in front of the panel doors. I see it all the time. If you dont have to service something very often in there then go ahead. You probably will anyways. The rules are the same in Canada and the US. If you require emergency access to a main disconeect you may find yourself in trouble if you dont leave at least 1m clearance.
I think the main intent of the rule is to stop people from damaging the control enclosures with forktrucks and and the like. If you tell people that cant put something within 1m of an electrical panel they tend to leave space. Let them pile stuff up against the enclosures and things tend to get smashed. You get the idea.
Personnelly as an electrician I hate it when you have clear crap out of the way of control panels. Messy, dirty,damaged and bent, is not what you want your control panels to be.
If there was a bollard in front of this equipment we wouldnt even be having this discourse.