Underground electrical facilities must be readily accessible by the utility during construction and for future operation and maintenance. To ensure readily accessible equipment the utilities requires:
- Minimum of 10 feet of clear, level, working space is required on all 4 sides of a pad-mounted transformer. This allows utility personnel enough room to perform transformer switching (rerouting of high voltage power) and maintenance.
- No structure can be within 10 feet of any PUD equipment.
- Landscaping, fences and other obstructions must not encroach on these clearances. The table and illustrations below provide additional safety clearances that might be installed near pad-mounted equipment.
| Feature | Clearance |
|---|---|
| Combustible walls or roof | 10 feet |
| Non-combustible walls or roof | 10 feet |
| Fire sprinkler valves, standpipes and fire hydrants | 6 feet |
| Doors, windows, vents, fire escapes and other building openings | 10 feet |
| The water’s edge of a swimming pool or any body of water | 25 feet |
| Facilities used to store hazardous liquids or gases (e.g. fuel storage tank or fueling points) | 10 feet |
| Sewer Line (in parallel) or Drainage Field (for PUD equipment and underground lines) | 15 feet |
| Gas service meters | 15 feet |
Subdivision Clearances
In cases where a new subdivision is being developed, contractors must adhere to the following requirements:
- Two feet minimum of clear working space from a sidewalk to front of PUD equipment pad (transformer, junction box, secondary pedestal, switchgear cabinet, etc.).
- Five feet minimum to ten feet maximum of clear working space from driveable surface to front of PUD equipment pad.
- Three feet minimum of clear working space at back and sides of PUD equipment pad.
- Three feet clearance from PUD equipment to communication pedestals.
- Six feet clearance from PUD equipment to hydrants and street lights.
- One foot clearance from edge of water meter box to edge of PUD equipment pad.