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Posted By: Jeff N panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 01:45 AM
Our local AHJ is saying that a service or subpanel may not be located in a laundry room(not closet) 240.24(D) states not in vicinity of easily ignitable material. all working space requirements are met. What do you think.
Posted By: OhmSweetOhm Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 02:20 AM
Hi Jeff:

Could you provide a little more information about the residence? Is this a multiple-occupancy setting? If so, I would probably agree with the AHJ, because of water/gas/excessive lint potential. Plus, laundry rooms at larger facilities can get a lot of traffic and a panel/sub panel would be safer out-of-sight. 240.24 (B) exceptions 1 or 2 may apply here, too, which can allows you to locate the panel in a separate, secured section of the basement. Again, more info would help us help you!
Posted By: Ryan_J Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 02:44 AM
I say its permitted.

When you think about that section, ponder this as well: What are we protecting here? The clothes from the panel? If so, and the panel is that hot, we probably already have a fire on our hands. Are we protecting the panel from burning clothing?

In my opinion, there are bigger fish to fry from an inspction point of view.
Posted By: DougW Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 03:03 AM
The biggest problem I could see (from a Fire Department point of view) would be the potential for lint buildup if the dryer isn't maintained/cleaned correctly.

As long as the housekeeping is good, and the dryer doesn't vent to the inside you should be alright. I know that if my AHJ ever made that requirement, about 75% of the houses in my town would be up feces creek - including mine. In the old days, the "laundry" area was a popular point for panel placement.
Posted By: Lostazhell Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 03:53 AM
Doug's thinking along my thoughtlines... The only thing I could relate to "easily ignitable materials" would be a "lint issue" (short of him expecting a gas leak! [Linked Image] Every laundy room I've been into has lint in the wierdest places...
With a panel installed properly & the door kept closed, I don't think it would be a huge issue though. How close is the panel to the dryer?
-Randy
Posted By: Jeff N Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 11:15 AM
Single family residence - the room is (9' X 11').The dryer is 5' away from the panel. If the lint from the dryer is a problem why is the laundry room not treated as a classified location?
Posted By: earlydean Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 12:11 PM
Jeff,
I agree, your AHJ is inventing code. Not a good thing for an inspector to do. Call him on this one.
Posted By: Electricmanscott Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/20/04 10:11 PM
So I guess panels can't be in basements either. Or garages. Where do you draw the line? He's reaching here.
Posted By: OhmSweetOhm Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/21/04 12:12 AM
Jeff:

Now that I know this is a single family dwelling, I'd have to agree that it should be acceptable to have the panel installed in the area you specified, especially since it meets 240.24(D). Did the AHJ give you a specific reason why you can't do this? Ryan_J, you're right, there are definitely bigger fish to fry out there! [Linked Image]
Posted By: Jeff N Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/21/04 12:31 AM
He is basing this on the easily ignitable nature of laundry. Go figure.
Posted By: Lostazhell Re: panels in laundry rooms - 04/21/04 03:18 AM
Did the homeowner have an abundance of polyester lying around? [Linked Image]

Single family dwelling.... I see no probs! Besides, If the dryer is vented properly, lint won't be an issue at all!

-Randy
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