A general contractor has removed slightly water-damaged plaster board from interior walls in patient care areas in a medical office exposing Type NM 2-wire cable with ground supplying receptacle outlets in the walls. Records indicate the building was built in 1951 but there are no records indicating when the existing wiring was installed. If the contractor were to replace the drywall with new drywall and no additions, alterations or repairs were made on the electrical circuits (including the receptacles) in the walls, could this existing, non-redundant wiring-means be code compliant?
2011 NEC Annex H 80.9 (B) suggests that it would be code-compliant providing that this existing electrical wiring does not "present an imminent danger to occupants."
Michigan Electrical Code Rules (where this situation is happening) requires that this existing wiring does not present a "hazard to life, health, or property".
As Electrical Inspector, I'm having trouble determining if the existing wiring is indeed a hazard thus requiring compliance with the current code. Any suggestions?
Thanks
2011 NEC Annex H 80.9 (B) suggests that it would be code-compliant providing that this existing electrical wiring does not "present an imminent danger to occupants."
Michigan Electrical Code Rules (where this situation is happening) requires that this existing wiring does not present a "hazard to life, health, or property".
As Electrical Inspector, I'm having trouble determining if the existing wiring is indeed a hazard thus requiring compliance with the current code. Any suggestions?
Thanks