Clear access to a switchboard is important as speed to turn off the power during an electrical fault could safe life. If the Switchboard is blocked and not accessible an electrical fault can turn into an electrical fire and worst case cause electrocution.
In a domestic electrical installation the minimum distance from all faces of a closed switchboard that need to be accessible is >0.6m
Refer to the Australian wiring rules: AS/NZS 3000 - Clause 2.10.2.1 a-c and AS/NZS 3000 - Clause 2.10.2.2 (i)
