Question 1. I need an interpretation of Article 620.37 [NEC 2002]. We have several panelboards in an elevator equipment room that feed elevators in addition to other equipment. The elevator room is located on the 275-ft. level on the fixed service structure at the launch pads for the space shuttle. It’s a very destructive environment out here so the best place for panelboards is located in the conditioned space of the elevator equipment room. These panels were just recently replaced (last year) with new ones. Due to changing power requirements, I would like to feed another system from these panelboards in the elevator room. Is this a no-no? How about future power requirements that may occur which may require new panelboards to be installed inside this room (of course for "other" systems)? Other applicable codes are ASME A17.1-2000, 2.8.1.2 and ASME A17.3-2002, 2.2.1. — D.G.

Answer 1.  Several panelboards in an elevator equipment room that feed elevators in addition to other equipment could only have been installed prior to the adoption of NEC 1993, which prohibits electric wiring for anything other than elevator related loads. The fact that the elevator equipment room is located on the 275-ft. level is of no significance; the rules will not change. The facility being the fixed service structure at the space shuttle launch pad would also be of no significance as this facility, in my opinion, would fall under the jurisdiction of the NEC as well as any state or local codes unless exempted by some federal agency or authority.

The fact that the panelboards were just recently replaced in the same location with other non-elevator related electrical equipment is troublesome to me. Even if the original installation was installed prior to NEC 1993, the "grandfather" installation is acceptable only if nothing is touched. As soon as something is changed, current codes would prevail and would not allow those panelboards to be replaced in the elevator equipment room or area without providing some form of physical separation or barrier. As you have described the area and condition, in my opinion the panelboards would have to be re-located or a special accommodation provided.

I can appreciate that this is a very destructive environment and the elevator equipment room provides some degree of protection from prevailing conditions but that does not change the need to adhere to code requirements. Perhaps it is time to construct a mechanical room or an electrical closet to provide protection from the destructive environment, thus providing for a dedicated space for the elevator equipment and another space for other equipment that is in the general area of the structure. Future electrical system planning should make allowances for non-elevator related power requirements to be met without utilizing elevator system power allocations. To answer your question, under current rules only electric wiring, raceways and cables used directly in connection with the elevator are permitted in the elevator equipment room. — Ron L. Janikowski, CMP-12

The views of the authors of Focus on the Code and the editor are provided solely as a public service. 

The views expressed are not the official position of NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee or any of its panels, IAEI, IAEI News, or the author's employers. Nor are they intended to represent a formal or informal interpretation of the NEC. 

Home  | Join | Advertising | Seminars | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | Legal Notices
Copyright © 1997-2008 IAEI. All Rights Reserved.