I currently have a 9×9’ laundry room with an exit to my yard, with our electrical subpanel (main panel is in garage) over the dryer. There is a utility sink next to the dryer and lots of exposed plumbing in the ceiling.
I wanted to move the wall that the subpanel is on over 3ft to make room for a small mudroom on the other side, and also wanted to find a way to add a toilet in the laundry room. However I’m reading that no electrical panels are allowed in bathrooms.
If this is correct, does that mean I’m not currently in code with my panel being near a sink, plumbing, etc? And would it not be feasible to add a toilet to this room unless I could relocate the panel to, say, the other side of the wall where the mudroom bench will go? The issue I see here is that then coats might cover the panel, which also sounds not to code. Would I have to find an entirely new location for it? Thanks for any guidance!
Replies
It is generally not recommended to have a toilet located in the same room as an electrical panel, as there may be safety concerns.
The electrical panel contains circuit breakers, which can trip and shut off power in the event of an electrical overload or short circuit. If a toilet is located in the same room as the electrical panel, there is a risk of water coming into contact with the panel, which can cause a short circuit or electrical shock.
Additionally, if any plumbing work needs to be done in the same room as the electrical panel, there is a risk of water damage or leaks that can damage the electrical system.
It's best to consult a licensed electrician or plumber to assess the situation and provide guidance on the safest and most practical solution for your specific situation.
In general, electrical panels are not allowed in bathrooms or in any area where they may be exposed to water or moisture. This is because water can cause electrical shock, which can be dangerous or even fatal. If your subpanel is located in a laundry room next to a sink, this may not be up to code and should be evaluated by a licensed electrician or building inspector.
Regarding adding a toilet to your laundry room, if your local building code allows it, you will need to ensure that the area where the toilet is installed meets all applicable code requirements, including adequate space, proper ventilation, and proper electrical wiring. You will also need to ensure that the electrical panel is located in an appropriate location outside of the bathroom area.
If relocating the panel to the other side of the wall where the mudroom bench will go is not feasible, you may need to find an entirely new location for it that meets code requirements. You may also need to consider relocating or covering any exposed plumbing in the ceiling to prevent damage from potential leaks.
Hello DlkMA5,
I would like to use this question in our Ask the Expert department in the magazine. Could you please send me an email with your name, so I can credit you with the question.
Thanks,
Mark
“[Deleted]”
I suppose it would help if I left my email address:) techeditor@finehomebuilding.com Thanks
Here is a draft of the answer we are going to run in the magazine:
John Williamson, electrical consultant, replies: These are great questions because they address several common occurrences and interrelated topics in the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). Before tackling your specific questions, let’s take a look at what the code has to say about where a panel or subpanel can be placed and why.
WORKING SPACE: Whether it’s the main service panel or a subpanel, the NEC requires there be adequate working space in front of every panel, and that has everything to do with safety. Imagine working in a cramped space where bumping an elbow could misdirect a tool to come in contact with energized components, resulting in an explosive arc-flash and possible electrocution. A person needs to be able to comfortably stand in front of the panel to safely work on it, or be able to easily escape the working space should there be an electrical accident. There needs to be a volume of space in front of the panel that would be comparable to a kitchen refrigerator. The NEC requires a working space that measures at least 36-inches deep, at least 30-inches wide, and at least 78-inches from the floor, or the height of the equipment, whichever is greater. The 30-inch width dimension does not have to be centered on the panel, but in all cases the work space needs to permit a 90-degree opening of the hinged panel door.
ACCESS AND DAMAGE PREVENTION: Panels cannot be located where they would be exposed to physical damage, like over the steps of a stairway where someone could trip and fall into it. And panels are not allowed to be located in the vicinity of easily ignitable materials, such as clothes in a closet. And the allowable space in front of a panel cannot be used for storage. Electrical panels have to be readily accessible in case power needs to be shut off quickly in an emergency.
BATHROOMS: The NEC defines a bathroom as, “An area including a sink with one or more of the following: a toilet, a urinal, a tub, a shower, a bidet, or similar plumbing fixtures.” Concerns about working space, emergency access, and damage prevention are why a main service panel or subpanel is specifically not allowed to be installed in a bathroom. Many bathrooms are located in small spaces not large enough to meet the minimum working space requirement. And it’s not uncommon for bathroom doors to be locked. If someone is taking a shower with the door locked, the panel in that bathroom would not be easily accessible in the case of an emergency. Another reason the code does not allow either main service panels or subpanels to be installed in bathrooms is because of the corrosive effects of airborne moisture and humidity from bathing and showering and the resulting damage it can cause to fuses, circuit breakers, and the interior components of the panel.
Back to your specific questions: The fact that your subpanel is in the vicinity of the utility sink is not a violation of the electrical code. The thinking here is that unlike toilets, sinks do not hold standing water and they’re typically only run for a short time and don’t produce high-humidity conditions like a tub or shower. But while your sink is fine, the dryer is not. Placing a dryer in front of a subpanel violates the requirement for working space. Adding a toilet would transform your laundry room into a bathroom, which would prohibit a panel being located there. And installing a panel under a coat rack in your mudroom would violate the provision that states electrical panels need to be readily accessible to shut off power in an emergency situation and not located near combustible materials. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in order to be code compliant, you need to move the dryer from in front of the subpanel and skip the toilet in your laundry room, find a different location for your coat rack, or relocate your subpanel.
Thank you for this excellent explanation.
Thank you for this excellent explanation. This is what I was confused about. I knew a bathroom/toilet was not allowed but was confused whether a sink was and if I was currently not to code. So this is very helpful to understand.
I should clarify that the electrical panel is not on the wall directly above the dryer, but on the wall next to the dryer and offset so the left edge of the panel is above the front edge of the dryer (if that is possible to visualize). So it has the 30" of space, but it is set to the very far left of that 30". But it sounds like we should probably expect to move it regardless.
I am happy for this to be featured in the magazine, though I would prefer my name not be attached to it. You are welcome to create a pseudonym.
If you still want a toilet in that room, could you use an electric incinerating toilet like an Incinolet?
Thank you for the explanation, it will help us.