Overhead Service Clearance

[JohnC]

Hi,

Correct me if I'm wrong about this. I thought clearance over a flat roof is 8ft. This home's service entrance wire goes over an old garage and connects to the main structure as you can see height is only about 3 ft. Home owner says this is okay and after all he's the towns fire chief and he should know. He’s not going be too happy when he see's what I have to say about his chimney flue which he built or the issues with the hot water boiler!

John C

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[hausdok]

Hi,

Yeah, it's supposed to be 8ft. minimum but your local utility will ultimately have the last word - especially if the local jurisdiction has ceded authority over the strike to them. Looks to me like maybe the shed was built after the strike location was established. Hope you wrote up that crappy roof.

I used to argue with folks about this all the time around here until I got a copy of Seattle Light's manual. Now I can back up what I say with something credible. When the code says one thing and Seattle Light says another, I just explain it to the client and recommend they go with whatever I think is safer, even if they have to do it at their own expense, and document the divergence in the report.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[JohnC]

Thanks Mike

Yes I did write up the crappy roof as well as a lot of other crappy things!

John C

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by JohnC

Hi,

Correct me if I'm wrong about this. I thought clearance over a flat roof is 8ft. This home's service entrance wire goes over an old garage and connects to the main structure as you can see height is only about 3 ft. Home owner says this is okay and after all he's the towns fire chief and he should know. He’s not going be too happy when he see's what I have to say about his chimney flue which he built or the issues with the hot water boiler!

John C

Ask him for his reference.

- Jim Katen, Oregon