NEC added requirements for entrances and exits in workspaces with combinations of various equipment sizes and amperes

Definitions

  1. Listed Panic Hardware: Tested to UL 305 (Standard for Safety for Panic Hardware)
  2. Listed Fire Exit Hardware: Tested to UL 305 (Standard for Safety for Panic Hardware) AND UL 10C (Standard for Safety for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies)

The Code: Section 110.26 (C)

(2) Large Equipment: For large equipment that contains over-current devices, switching devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance to and egress from the required working space not less than 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (6.5 ft) high at each end of the working space. This requirement shall apply to either of the following conditions:

  1. For equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 1.8 m (6 ft) wide
  2. For service disconnecting means installed in accordance with 230.71 where the combined ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and over 1.8 (6ft) wide

Open equipment doors shall not impede the entry to or egress from the working space.

(3) Personnel Doors: Where equipment rated 800 amperes or more that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices is installed and there is a personnel door(s) intended for entrance to and egress from the working space less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of the working space, the door shall open in the direction of egress and be equipped with listed panic hardware or listed fire exit hardware

2020 NEC Handbook

Examples of acceptable and unacceptable workspace layouts for large equipment

Other Notes/Summary

Requirements for “Large Equipment” now apply to workspaces where 2 or more enclosures combine for an ampere rating 1200 amperes or more and over 1.8 m (6 ft) wide.

Workspaces must take the path of open equipment doors into account so that they cannot impede the entrances/exits of the workspace

Added a differentiation between “listed panic hardware” and “listed fire exit hardware” for doors that are within 7.6 m (25 ft) from the working space of equipment rated 800 amperes or more