Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-45 - Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution › Section 296-45-475 - Substations

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This section provides additional requirements for substations
				and for work performed in them.
(1)
			 Access and working space. Sufficient access and working space must be provided
			 and maintained about electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and
			 maintenance of such equipment.
Note:
Guidelines for the dimensions of access and working space
						about electric equipment in substations are contained in American National
						Standard-National Electrical Safety Code, ANSI C2-2017. Installations meeting
						the ANSI provisions comply with subsection (1) of this section. An installation
						that does not conform to this ANSI standard will, nonetheless, be considered as
						complying with subsection (1) of this section if the employer can demonstrate
						that the installation provides ready and safe access based on the following
						evidence:
* That the installation conforms to the edition of ANSI C2
				that was in effect at the time the installation was made;
* That the configuration of the installation enables employees
				to maintain the minimum approach distances required by WAC
				296-45-325(5)
				while they are working on exposed, energized parts; and
* That the precautions taken when work is performed on the
				installation provide protection equivalent to the protection that would be
				provided by access and working space meeting ANSI C2-2017.
* Precaution must be taken to prevent accidental operation of
				relays or other protective devices due to jarring, vibration, or improper
				wiring.
(2) Draw-out-type
			 circuit breakers. When draw-out-type circuit breakers are removed or inserted,
			 the breaker must be in the open position. The control circuit must also be
			 rendered inoperable, if the de sign of the equipment permits.
(3) Substation fences. Conductive fences
			 around substations must be grounded. When a substation fence must be expanded
			 or removed fence continuity must be maintained and bonding must be used to
			 prevent electrical discontinuity. A temporary fence affording similar
			 protection when the site is unattended, must be provided. Adequate
			 interconnection with ground must be maintained between temporary fence and
			 permanent fence.
(4) Guarding of
			 rooms containing electric supply equipment.
(a) Rooms and spaces in which electric supply
			 lines or equipment are installed must meet the requirements of subsection
			 (4)(b) through (e) of this section under the following conditions:
(i) If exposed live parts operating at 50 to
			 150 volts to ground are located within 8 feet of the ground or other working
			 surface inside the room or space;
(ii) If live parts operating at 151 to 600
			 volts and located within 8 feet of the ground or other working surface inside
			 the room or space are guarded only by location, as permitted under subsection
			 (5)(a) of this section; or
(iii) If
			 live parts operating at more than 600 volts are located within the room or
			 space, unless:
(A) The live parts are enclosed
			 within grounded, metal-enclosed equipment whose only openings are designed so
			 that foreign objects inserted in these openings will be deflected from
			 energized parts; or
(B) The live
			 parts are installed at a height above ground and any other working surface that
			 provides protection at the voltage to which they are energized corresponding to
			 the protection provided by an 8-foot height at 50 volts.