Building vs. Enclosure Distinction?

[Mark K]

I suggest that the question is which entity has jurisdiction? See what the state legislature has determined. In California public utilities are regulated by the state PUC and thus the utilities are bound by PUC rules and not the Building Code. The connection point determines the extent of the building departments jurisdiction. Roads and the infrastructure supporting them may be governed by the Department of Transportation. Local public works are under control of the City but not the Building Department.

The language of a model code, even if adopted by a jurisdiction, is not relevant if it is in conflict with state statute or some agency that has been given jurisdiction. The world does not begin and end with the building code. Building officials need to have a broader perspective.

I have become aware of the National Electrical Safety Code which is published by IEEE. This is a model code that is intended to address issues of concern to electrical utilities and has been adopted by some states and governmental authorities..

 

[RuralFD]

Hi, I have a follow up question. Would the enclosure for an diesel emergency generator be subject to egress requirements? The enclosure has doors and can be entered for the purpose of operating and servicing the genset. Pictured below is an example, not the actual unit. However, a day tank was installed on the radiator end and it has to be climbed over to access the fuel filters. So if tehre's an emergency and you're between the day tank and radiators, you either have to be skinny to squeeze past the radiator, or clumb over the day tank (not shown below, 24 inches tall).

Thanks,
Mark

 

[steveray]

[A] 105.2.3 Public service agencies. A permit shall not be
required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation,
transmission, distribution or metering or other related
equipment that is under the ownership and control of public
service agencies by established right.

 

[cda]

Hi, I have a follow up question. Would the enclosure for an diesel emergency generator be subject to egress requirements? The enclosure has doors and can be entered for the purpose of operating and servicing the genset. Pictured below is an example, not the actual unit. However, a day tank was installed on the radiator end and it has to be climbed over to access the fuel filters. So if tehre's an emergency and you're between the day tank and radiators, you either have to be skinny to squeeze past the radiator, or clumb over the day tank (not shown below, 24 inches tall).

Thanks,
Mark

I vote No

Most of those size come with two doors

 

[steveray]

Hi, I have a follow up question. Would the enclosure for an diesel emergency generator be subject to egress requirements? The enclosure has doors and can be entered for the purpose of operating and servicing the genset. Pictured below is an example, not the actual unit. However, a day tank was installed on the radiator end and it has to be climbed over to access the fuel filters. So if tehre's an emergency and you're between the day tank and radiators, you either have to be skinny to squeeze past the radiator, or clumb over the day tank (not shown below, 24 inches tall).

Thanks,
Mark

If it is only entered for servicing the unit, then it is typically exempt from proper Ch 10 MOE, but there are always exceptions....

 

[RuralFD]

Ours actually has 5 doors, two per side and one on the end. Trouble is that at that end door there's a day tank that spans the width of the enclosure. The fuel filters were installed on the interior side of the day tank. To get to those filters, you have to climb/step over the day tank. The space between the edge of the radiator and wall is too narrow to squeeze through (or so I am told, might depend on the operator). So that is an egress issue the owner is concerned about and their saftey person is quoting CalOsha Requirement required proper egress and exit. In an area where diesel is present proper egress is required in case of an emergency. Climbing over the platform to enter/exit does not meet Title 8 §3215

Title 8-3215

So then the question is does Title 8 apply to this enclosure? It can be walked around in to access the generator. The contractor wants a Code call-out to force them to make a correction, but there might be one....

Thanks,
Mark

 

[cda]

Ours actually has 5 doors, two per side and one on the end. Trouble is that at that end door there's a day tank that spans the width of the enclosure. The fuel filters were installed on the interior side of the day tank. To get to those filters, you have to climb/step over the day tank. The space between the edge of the radiator and wall is too narrow to squeeze through (or so I am told, might depend on the operator). So that is an egress issue the owner is concerned about and their saftey person is quoting CalOsha Requirement required proper egress and exit. In an area where diesel is present proper egress is required in case of an emergency. Climbing over the platform to enter/exit does not meet Title 8 §3215

Title 8-3215

So then the question is does Title 8 apply to this enclosure? It can be walked around in to access the generator. The contractor wants a Code call-out to force them to make a correction, but there might be one....

Thanks,
Mark

Don’t over think it

It is a piece of equipment

They should not be doing major work with it running.

To noisy to begin with

 

[ADAguy]

Hi, I have a follow up question. Would the enclosure for an diesel emergency generator be subject to egress requirements? The enclosure has doors and can be entered for the purpose of operating and servicing the genset. Pictured below is an example, not the actual unit. However, a day tank was installed on the radiator end and it has to be climbed over to access the fuel filters. So if tehre's an emergency and you're between the day tank and radiators, you either have to be skinny to squeeze past the radiator, or clumb over the day tank (not shown below, 24 inches tall).

Thanks,
Mark

Think "OSHA"

 

[ADAguy]

[A] 105.2.3 Public service agencies. A permit shall not be
required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation,
transmission, distribution or metering or other related
equipment that is under the ownership and control of public
service agencies by established right.

Yes, and it should also comply with seismic, wind load and fire.

 

[ADAguy]

Don’t over think it

It is a piece of equipment

They should not be doing major work with it running.

To noisy to begin with

Owner continue to be concerned, worker protection required.

 

[RuralFD]

Yes, and it should also comply with seismic, wind load and fire.

It does comply with seismic and wind.

 

[RuralFD]

[A] 105.2.3 Public service agencies. A permit shall not be
required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation,
transmission, distribution or metering or other related
equipment that is under the ownership and control of public
service agencies by established right.

So this seems to imply it does not need to meet egress code.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

It's a machine. Requiring egress on this is like requiring egress for a Red Box video rental vending machine.

 

[RuralFD]

It's a machine. Requiring egress on this is like requiring egress for a Red Box video rental vending machine.

I understand that the only reason someone should be there is to perform maintence service, but its not quite the same as a Red Box machine for which you cannot walk into and close a door.

Ultimately the Owner may want changes to eliminate the need to climb over the day tank. The issue is of course money. If its Code Required, the contractor must correct this deficiency on their own dime. If its not code required, then the Owner must pay.

 

[ADAguy]

Have you reviewed OSHA worker safety requirements for clear work space, trip hazards, moving parts protection, elec. hazards, etc.? Regs vs code.