Help Needed With Location Of Panel

ron schenker

A client of mine would like to redo their basement bathroom which was done about 20 yrs. ago. Problem is, the breaker panel is enclosed in the linen closet of the bathroom. This goes completely against code, and I'm not sure the best route to go. The bathroom has a sink, toilet, and shower stall, and the exhaust fan needs to be replaced (humidity problems).

mdshunk

What's on the other side of the wall where the panel is? If it's in a partition and not on the exterior basement wall, you might be able to flip it around so that it faces the other room on the other side. The next option is to install a new panel elsewhere, gut the existing panel, and use it as a big junction box to extend all the branch circuits.

ron schenker

The panel is mounted on an exterior wall. What would be the repercussions of leaving it where it is? Just playing the devil's advocate here, but it has been this way for 20 yrs. without any problems. The H.O. didn't even know it was not code compliant, and doesn't seem to care.

mdshunk

Repercussions? Well, it wouldn't meet code. The code is a minimum set of safety items, and you wouldn't be meeting minimum safety requirements. I don't think the world will stop spinning or anything, but I personally would try to have it moved if you can get it in the budget. Ya know, insurance inspectors look for crap like this as a reason not to pay claims. Home inspectors love to flag real and imagined violations with great ferver.

In summary, it wouldn't be the worse thing you could do to leave it alone, but making some kind of effort to move it would be a good thing.

ron schenker

Thanks for all your advice MD!