Insurance Inspector

[td1236]

This is in regards to a 6 unit 3 phase commercial building, it was built in the 60s. Apparently many property insurance companies have left California, and as a result, many buildings were left uncovered, and forced to get new insurance policies (which are triple the old insurance rates). The Insurance company sent out a private inspector, and he claimed that the disconnect in the attached picture "is screw in fuse type" and asked to replace it with regular breaker panel.

I have attached two pictures, one with a further away view, disconnect cover closed (it is the meter on the right) and a close up of the inside of the disconnect.
That disconnect feeds a subpanel in one of the unit
units.

How would you guys respond to the insurance company in this instance, is there anything against code that can justify them forcing property owner to replace it?

Thanks

 

[infinity]

First of all those are not screw in fuses they're common cartridge fuses. If the inspector is that incompetent you might have to ask for someone who knows what they're looking at.

 

[letgomywago]

I'd respond as it's not a screw type fuse but rather an in production grouped "emergency service disconnect" required by code. Then cite 225.33.

 

[Joe.B]

Disclaimer: What I'm about to say is only half joking.

Pull a building permit to "replace screw in fuse type with code compliant disconnect." Do nothing, call for final inspection, and submit the completed paper work to the insurance company....

 

[rc/retired]

Sadly in my world, an insurance inspector rates as low a home inspector.

Ron

 

[BarryO]

Since the insurance company is a private entity, I suppose they can impose whatever requirement they want, including things like requiring panel exteriors be painted fuchsia, unless limited by state insurance regulation.

 

[petersonra]

He may have just copy and pasted the wrong thing. A fair number of insurance companies do not like fuses in residential settings. Understandable.

 

[Strathead]

I would at least contemplate a direct response.

"The inspector is incorrect and the installation is compliant with current and past codes. The fuses are cartridge type fuses, not 'screw type' and the design is similar to that used in new construction regularly. In many cases the fuse design is superior to breakers, for technical reasons beyond layman understanding."

 

[tortuga]

What i usually offer for a industrial place like this is to walk thru the place beforehand, then I make some suggestings and do some cleanup work.
That way I can find all the stuff the tenants have added, like sub-panels fed with SO cord but I digress.
Then meet the inspector there.
The last industrial insurance inspector I dealt with was a young EE whom had all the NFPA stuff and the permit history of the property right on his ipad.