# Code for electric panel in bedroom closet **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 3, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764 "2017-05-03T03:48:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/1 "2017-05-03T03:48:07Z")
I was thinking about combining a small office and a smaller room that has a egress window to make a bedroom. From what I understand I would also need to make a closet for it to be considered a bedroom. The office has a nook and a few feet from the nook is the breaker panel. My thought was to stem out from the edge of the nook and make a 4x5 closet that would have the panel in it. Does anyone know if there are any code problems with having the panel in a bedroom closet? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/2 "2017-05-03T04:01:37Z")
Electrical panels are not allowed in bedroom closets. [QUOTE=NEC 240-24(d)] Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitable material, such as in clothes closets [/QUOTE] Enclosing a panel is never a good idea. If firefighters ever need to shut off the electricity, they need to be able to enter a room and see the panel. They won’t have time to go digging for it. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/3 "2017-05-03T04:12:20Z")
Thanks ECG , I probably heard that in the past because I kept getting the feeling that I needed to ask someone before I started working. Glad i asked. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/4 "2017-05-03T10:20:58Z")
I am curious about the requirement for a room to have a closet to be considered as a bedroom. A window - yes; a door - of course; some minimum dimensions - sure; but a cupboard? ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/5 "2017-05-03T11:59:30Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I am curious about the requirement for a room to have a closet to be considered as a bedroom. A window - yes; a door - of course; some minimum dimensions - sure; but a cupboard? It is probably more common for a code official to declare that a room is a bedroom because it has a closet. Per NFPA 72, each bedroom in a dwelling must have a smoke alarm or smoke detector. People will often build a house with one or more rooms they intend to use as offices or for some other non-sleeping purpose and try to avoid installing a smoke detector. When the code official inspects the house, he/she will declare that the room is actually a bedroom because it has a closet. I’ve seen homeowners argue at length that the closet is not a clothes closet, that it does not have the facilities to hang clothes, or that it has ceiling to floor shelves and is intended for office supplies, but usually to no avail. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/6 "2017-05-03T12:14:44Z")
But the OP seems to have reversed that. (and no mention of a smoke detector). Maybe it’s just badly phrased and he wants a closet but it will have a breaker panel at the back of it - not a good idea, code or not. Strangely, the UK, which usually takes these things to the extreme, has no such regulation. It is common to find what we call a consumer unit (a meter and a row of MCB’s) at the back of the ubiquitous cupboard under the stairs, completely surrounded by coats etc. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/7 "2017-05-03T12:44:39Z")
Window - check Smoke Alarm - check Overhead Light fixture - OP didn’t mention, maybe that’s local code here Closet - ???, never read this is our codes Carbon Monoxide detector - only required if you have an CO source, if the house is ALL electric, you shouldn’t need one (but local codes may vary) Except for kitchens and bathrooms, EVERY room should have a smoke/CO detector … including hallways in the bedroom area and on every floor of the house … these things WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE … so spend the money and don’t be such a cheapskate !!! ETA: GO NOW … vacuum out yours, once a week … test them every week too while you’re at it … have a fire escape plan NOW, not later, but NOW … ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/8 "2017-05-03T12:45:20Z")
There’s a little more leniency for sub-panel locations but I doubt a closet of any kind would be allowed because of the danger of clothes, boxes or other flammable material being in close proximity to the box. The closet in a bedroom rule may not be that strict though, it’s not a requirement here, although any room that could be used as a bedroom would be considered one if you have a private septic system which must be rated for a certain home capacity. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/9 "2017-05-03T12:52:43Z")
The lack of clearance in front of the panel would also be a code violation. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/10 "2017-05-03T13:26:19Z")
I don’t think the building code requires a closet; but it must have: A door; Egress; Avg ceiling height 7 ft or greater; 70 Sq Ft. (with no horizontal dimension \< 7 ft). I believe that, when selling a house, you cannot advertise it having a bedroom if that room does not have a closet. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/11 "2017-05-03T13:59:49Z")
In the US, for real estate selling purposes, a room doesn’t count as a bedroom unless it has a built in closet. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/12 "2017-05-03T16:04:36Z")
When my brother lived in Germany, he told me the apartments he looked at were all intentionally “closet deficient” because of their tax laws. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/13 "2017-05-03T17:11:09Z")
Thanks everyone, It was my understanding that a bedroom has to have a built in closet. Looks as though it is more or a real estate and appraisal myth then actual code. The problem becomes whether the myth is believed by enough people to be “real”. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/14 "2017-05-03T17:40:49Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Thanks everyone, It was my understanding that a bedroom has to have a built in closet. Looks as though it is more or a real estate and appraisal myth then actual code. The problem becomes whether the myth is believed by enough people to be “real”. It is not a myth, if room does not have a closet, it will not be considered a bedroom for real-estate purposes. Building Codes do not really care per say what you prefer your bedroom to be, as long as it meets their safety codes, like having a smoke detector. Real-Estate is weird and has their own rules, but they are not myth when you go an try to sell your house, they are very real. You should see how ridiculous it gets selling a very vintage house that was built back before a closet was a thing built into the house and was instead a big piece of furniture. 8 potential bonus rooms? gimme a break ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/15 "2017-05-03T17:50:26Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > It is not a myth, if room does not have a closet, it will not be considered a bedroom for real-estate purposes. > > Building Codes do not really care per say what you prefer your bedroom to be, as long as it meets their safety codes, like having a smoke detector. > ( Right. Building inspectors don’t care about closets, they’re paying attention to safety regulations, smoke detectors, egress windows, and total occupancy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/16 "2017-05-03T18:04:24Z")
But you’ll also see that most architects won’t call a room a “bedroom” unless it has a closet. So, it’s not quite so clear cut as a boundary between real estate agents and building inspectors. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/17 "2017-05-03T19:24:41Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > It is not a myth, if room does not have a closet, it will not be considered a bedroom for real-estate purposes. > > Building Codes do not really care per say what you prefer your bedroom to be, as long as it meets their safety codes, like having a smoke detector. > > Real-Estate is weird and has their own rules, but they are not myth when you go an try to sell your house, they are very real. > > You should see how ridiculous it gets selling a very vintage house that was built back before a closet was a thing built into the house and was instead a big piece of furniture. > > 8 potential bonus rooms? gimme a break ☹ A real estate agent should learn the code for what constitutes a bedroom and follow that exactly. Anything less is unethical. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/18 "2017-05-03T19:55:41Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > A real estate agent should learn the code for what constitutes a bedroom and follow that exactly. Anything less is unethical. There is no “code” for what constitutes a bedroom per say. Code considers nearly anything a bedroom for safety purposes. You could tell code that the room not attached to the kitchen and existing on the 2nd floor is to be a pantry, even if you toss a pallet of food in it, code is going to say, sorry bedroom put a smoke detector in. They have a different way of deciding what a room is, or could potentially be. code and real-estate are two different things. You can argue it differently but it does not change reality when you are trying to list or sell a house. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/19 "2017-05-04T00:20:34Z")
Proper codes merely enforce the obvious - do not play with gas or electricity, keep yourself and others from harm (esp. the frail), do not allow filth to accumulate; the purpose of codes is to provide an enforcement mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764/20 "2017-05-04T00:47:57Z")
At least in the US, code also varies by state, and sometimes by county, town, etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-for-electric-panel-in-bedroom-closet/785764.md?page=2)