Rennett Stowe
Ecmweb 6265 Firefighters2495197143
Ecmweb 6265 Firefighters2495197143
Ecmweb 6265 Firefighters2495197143
Ecmweb 6265 Firefighters2495197143
Ecmweb 6265 Firefighters2495197143

Electrical Services, Part 15

April 22, 2014
Part VI of Article 230 of the NEC provides the requirements for service disconnects.

Part VI of Article 230 of the NEC provides the requirements for service disconnects. A concern that threads through these requirements is helping first responders to disconnect the power during a fire, gas leak, or similar emergency.

These requirements, for example, include:

  • The disconnect(s) must be in a readily accessible location [230.70(A)(1)].
  • You can have a maximum of six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location [230.71(A)]. It is possible to get an exception granted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and sometimes a facility will seek to do that when adding switchgear. But typically such a facility needs a general upgrade to its service equipment. Consider the entire service, not just “it’s only one more panel” when facing such a situation.
  • Disconnects must be grouped [230.72(A)].
  • Those disconnects permitted to be located remote from the service (e.g., fire pump) must be identified at the service with a plaque denoting their location [230.72(A), Exception].

If you imagine yourself as a first responder arriving at an unfamiliar site, you can see how these help. Another way to help first responders would be to light up those disconnects with emergency lights controlled by a system that accepts an input from the fire alarm system.

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