Do not see any issues. As long as the Dead Front stays on and that it can be easily removed without having to tear into the wall, is what really only matters.
Panel behind Door in Wall
I am planning to install a new subpanel in the basement. The basement is "somewhat" finished though with studs and wood paneling covering all the walls (no visible studs). This is a wall to the garage, there is no insulation in the cavity. Due to nearby drain pipes the framing with the studs is done so that the cavity at that location is about 9" deep (between front surface of masonry and back surface of wood paneling; lots of wasted space, I know). If I installed the panel framed within the studs I can have it flush mounted relative to the woodpaneling and I believe that it would be up to code. However I am likely to redo the finishes of the whole area some time in the future, so I would prefer to have the panel be on 3/4 plywood on the masonry wall. In that case I cannot have the current finish be flush with the panel -- the front of the panel ends up about 4" recessed into the wall finish.
Will it be up to code if I make a second wooden door that is flush with the existing wood finish? When one needs access to the panel one will need to open the wooden door and then open the metal panel door to access the breakers. This will not be a cabinet, just an access door on the wall. I know I am OK for required clearances and dedicated electrical space -- I will be able to place a fridge in front of the subpanel. The wooden door will likely be at least 3-4" wider and taller than the panel itself, so that if later I add more circuits I can actually access the sides of the panel to pull the cable and place the fittings.
Second question: are cables behind such a door considered subject to damage? E.g. can there be exposed NM cable behind the wooden door -- I know that if the wall was not finished anything below 6 1/2' would need to be inside conduit or something.
The attached photo show what I have in mind. The only difference is that my walls are finished with wood paneling instead of drywall and the easiest material to work with to make the door is also wood. In other words not fire resistant material.
Will it be up to code if I make a second wooden door that is flush with the existing wood finish? When one needs access to the panel one will need to open the wooden door and then open the metal panel door to access the breakers. This will not be a cabinet, just an access door on the wall. I know I am OK for required clearances and dedicated electrical space -- I will be able to place a fridge in front of the subpanel. The wooden door will likely be at least 3-4" wider and taller than the panel itself, so that if later I add more circuits I can actually access the sides of the panel to pull the cable and place the fittings.
Second question: are cables behind such a door considered subject to damage? E.g. can there be exposed NM cable behind the wooden door -- I know that if the wall was not finished anything below 6 1/2' would need to be inside conduit or something.
The attached photo show what I have in mind. The only difference is that my walls are finished with wood paneling instead of drywall and the easiest material to work with to make the door is also wood. In other words not fire resistant material.
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I have completed my project, but decided to post three pictures for critique before calling the town to schedule the inspection. Note that the images are rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise -- I am nor sure how to upload them with correct orientation. So please critique my work.
I the first photo you see the outside view of the wood panel which I cut to get access to the masonry wall behind. The cut out piece was mounted on hinges and serves as access door. The panel is installed on a white piece of thick plywood. The permit was for the panel only, so no circuits at this time. The dark gray object parallel to the panel is a galvanized drain pipe from the kitchen that will eventually be relocated, but that is a few years away. I hope I did not violate the code locating the panel 2inches from it. The most I could have gone to the left of it is another 2 inches as there is a door with a curtain on the left of the whole assembly.
Also what should I do about that white romex visible on top? While I physically touched that romex in order to secure the plywood to the masonry behind, I did not add or remove any staples holding it (there are none) or detached/reatach it at the ends. That romex was probably "fished". Should I do anything about it or let the inspector flag anything he does not like?
I the first photo you see the outside view of the wood panel which I cut to get access to the masonry wall behind. The cut out piece was mounted on hinges and serves as access door. The panel is installed on a white piece of thick plywood. The permit was for the panel only, so no circuits at this time. The dark gray object parallel to the panel is a galvanized drain pipe from the kitchen that will eventually be relocated, but that is a few years away. I hope I did not violate the code locating the panel 2inches from it. The most I could have gone to the left of it is another 2 inches as there is a door with a curtain on the left of the whole assembly.
Also what should I do about that white romex visible on top? While I physically touched that romex in order to secure the plywood to the masonry behind, I did not add or remove any staples holding it (there are none) or detached/reatach it at the ends. That romex was probably "fished". Should I do anything about it or let the inspector flag anything he does not like?
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