This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html.

Subchapter 5. Electrical Safety Orders
Group 2. High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders
ARTICLE 17. ENCLOSURES FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

§2805. Vaults--General.

Transformer vaults shall be constructed so as to contain fire and combustible liquids within the vault and to prevent unauthorized access.

(a) Strength. Vault structures shall have sufficient strength to withstand the loading to which they may be subjected and to support the equipment mounted therein.

(b) Wall Material. Vault interior walls shall be of assemblies of materials approved for not less than one-hour, non-combustible fire-resistive construction.

(c) Doors. Door openings to vaults shall be protected by approved one-hor rated fire door and frame assemblies.

(d) Ceiling Access. Vault ceiling access opening covers or grates weighing less than 100 pounds shall be securely fastened in place.Openings must be minimum of 26 inches diameter or 24 inches by 26 inches in size. Safe access shall be provided from the opening to the floor or other working surface.

(e) Ventilating Ducts. All ventilating flues or ducts shall be of noncombustible construction.

(f) Ventilating Openings. Ventilating openings shall not be through the vault door, except where door opens to outdoors.

(g) Adequate Ventilation. Vaults shall be provided with means for ventilation adequate to prevent equipment temperatures in excess of those at which the equipment may be safely operated.

(h) Drainage. Where drainage from sumps in vaults is to a sewage system, a suitable trap shall be installed capable of preventing the entrance of sewer gas into the vault.

(i) Foreign Pipes and Accessories. Any pipe or duct system foreign to the electrical installation shall not enter or pass through a transformer vault.

Exception: Piping or other facilities provided for vault fire protection, or for transformer cooling, are not considered foreign to the electrical installation.

(j) Material shall not be stored in transformer vaults.

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Editorial correction including renumbering of former Article 66 to Article
17 filed 11-2-83 (Register 83, No. 45).

2. Amendment of article heading, section and Note filed 4-1-2009; operative 4-
1-2009. Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to
Labor Code section142.3 (Register 2009, No. 14).

Go Back Go Back to Article 17 Table of Contents