Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2020

S tate, National, Chapter News Feature Story

Lunch & Learn Launches New Education Partnership

the work space can become when the installers don’t know or understand the code.

Monday, October 12 marked the beginning of a new and exciting educational outreach to the HVACR industry in Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, HVACR Licensing Program and the Arkansas HVACR Association partnered to provided free code updates and reminders via webinars for anyone interested in tuning in. The first webinar concerned the “clear work space” in front of the disconnect. Tony Woodard, State HVACR Inspector, and Charles Covington, State Chief Inspector for the Electrical Program, along with Tom Hunt, Executive Director of the Association, presented the code as well as the reason for the code. According to Charles Covington, there have been shock occurances that resulted in death. It seems that electrical conduit and refrigerant piping in the walk path / work area can keep the technician from stepping back and releasing themselves from the electrical current. Charles Covington stated, “This has been in code for a long time and it is time that we enforced it for the safety of the technician.” The following picture taken by Tony Woodard demonstrates how cluttered

As you can see, there is no work / free space in front of the disconnects and it would be very difficult to jump or fall back if an electrical shock occurred. Correct installation requires-- ➢ the greater of the width of the disconnects or 30 inches parrallel to the disconnects and ➢ 3 feet of clear space perpendicular to the disconnect. That 30” by 36” is easy to envision. One could cut a piece of cardboard that size and lay it in front of the disconnect. If there are no obstructions, it meets code and saftey requirements. Electrical Conduct and refrigeration piping can cross in front of the disconnect if it is