Exit doors and panic hardware for large electrical rooms

What the code requires

110.26(C)(3) applies where equipment rated 800 A or more contains overcurrent, switching or control devices and a personnel door to the working space is less than 25 ft from the nearest edge of that space. Such a door must swing in the direction of egress, open at least 90°, and have either listed panic hardware or listed fire exit hardware.

The companion rule, 110.26(C)(2), covers large equipment. Equipment rated 1200 A or more and over 6 ft wide needs an entrance to the working space at each end, at least 24 in. wide and 6½ ft high. The same applies to service disconnects grouped under 230.71(B) with a combined rating of 1200 A or more and a combined width over 6 ft.

Under (C)(2), a single entrance is allowed instead if the way out of the working space is unobstructed, or if the required working-space depth is doubled.

On the job

• In a commercial electrical room with 800 A or larger gear, a standard knob or lever lockset on a door within 25 ft of the working space fails. The door needs listed panic or fire exit hardware and must swing out.
• Door hardware is an architectural item, so coordinate it with the door and hardware schedule early in design.

What changed in 2023

The 2023 edition added the requirement that these doors open at least 90°; the 2020 text required only that they open in the direction of egress and have listed panic or fire exit hardware.

Related sections

• NEC 110.26(A): Working space in front of electrical panels
• NEC 110.33(A)(3)
• NEC 230.71(B)

Where this comes from

• California HCAI: 2025 Title 24 Code Cycle Update, Part 3 (CEC) handout (Oct 14 2025)
• EC&M: NEC Requirements for Working Clearances (Mike Holt, Feb 9 2023)
• Oregon BCD: 2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, Table 1-E (2023 NEC text)
• City of Knoxville: Significant Changes to the 2023 NEC
• Read the official NEC free at NFPA