You are absolutely correct. The height of the footing drastically affects your conduit runs and the vertical rise required. Let's break down why, and address the possibility of side entry

Why Footing Height Matters:
Vertical Clearance

A higher footing means your conduit needs to rise a shorter distance from underground to reach the desired height inside the building. A shorter footing requires a longer vertical rise. This directly impacts:

Conduit Bending

More bending may be required for a longer rise, increasing labor and material costs.

Conduit Fill

Excessive bends can reduce the effective fill capacity of the conduit.

Pulling Tension

More bends increase the pulling tension required to install conductors.

Depth Below Grade

You need to maintain the required burial depth for the conduit before it begins its vertical rise. A lower footing may require a deeper initial burial to achieve this, which can increase excavation costs.

Entry Point into the Building

The higher the footing, the higher the likely entry point into the building. This affects where your panelboards or other electrical equipment can be located, and the overall layout of the electrical system.

Accessibility for Future Work

Think about future maintenance and repairs. A deeply buried conduit run with a long vertical rise can be more difficult to access and work on.

Entering the Side of the Footing

While possible in some very specific and rare cases, entering the side of a standard footing is generally not permissible or advisable and highly unlikely. Here's why:1. Structural Integrity

Footings are designed to transfer the building's load to the soil. Penetrating the side of a footing weakens its structural integrity. Any penetration would need to be carefully engineered and reinforced to compensate for the loss of strength. This would require very specific calculations from a structural engineer, and it's almost certainly more expensive and complicated than running the conduit under the footing and up. The size and location of the penetration would be critical. A small penetration near the top might be less problematic than a large penetration near the bottom, but even small penetrations can create stress concentration points. Footings are often reinforced with rebar. Cutting or displacing rebar to allow a conduit to pass through significantly compromises the footing's strength.2.

Code Requirements

Building codes and electrical codes often have restrictions on penetrating foundations and footings, especially if it affects the load-bearing capacity. These restrictions can be very strict. Even if the code doesn't explicitly forbid it, the inspector would almost certainly require proof (structural engineer's calculations and drawings) that the penetration is safe and doesn't compromise the structure.3.

Construction Practicality

It would be very difficult to accurately core drill through a footing and maintain the correct slope and alignment for the conduit. The potential for damage to the footing during the coring process is high.

Alternatives and Considerations



Accurate Drawings

Make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date foundation drawings available. Check for revisions and confirm the footing heights with the site superintendent or structural engineer.

Coordination

Coordinate your conduit runs with other trades (plumbing, HVAC, etc.) to avoid conflicts and ensure adequate clearance.

Sleeves

Install sleeves under the footing during construction for conduit to pass through. This is the most common and preferred method.

Bends and Offsets

Use appropriate bends and offsets to navigate around obstacles and maintain the required burial depth.

Risers

Consider using conduit risers or chases within the building to bring the conduit up to the desired height.

Encasement

Ensure proper encasement of conduits buried under footings to protect them from damage. This is usually concrete encasement per code.

Communicate

If there's a significant difference in footing heights than expected, or if you're facing unforeseen obstacles, communicate immediately with the project engineer or architect. Early communication can prevent costly rework.

In Summary:

Footing height absolutely* matters for your conduit runs. Entering the side of a footing is generally not an option due to structural concerns and code restrictions. Focus on running the conduit under the footing, using proper sleeves, bends, and offsets, and ensuring proper encasement. Always coordinate with other trades and the project engineer to resolve any issues. Flag for review