A fire occurred in the basement of a house that has knob and tube wiring. The fire burned the panel box and the ends of the knob and tube wires connected to it. Can I merely re-connect these non-grounded circuits to the new breaker box or do I have to re-wire the private house with grounded Romex? And why?
knob and tube wiring
- Thread starter kemosabe
- Start date
- Status
The AHJ will need to make that decision.
It has been my experience that the insurance company only pays for a repair, while the HO gets to pay for the upgrade. Sometimes the insurance company wants the house wired to code. Then the HO usually pays only the deductible.
I would require the k&t to be removed and replaced with a modern wiring system to prevent a re-occurence of FIRE!
It has been my experience that the insurance company only pays for a repair, while the HO gets to pay for the upgrade. Sometimes the insurance company wants the house wired to code. Then the HO usually pays only the deductible.
I would require the k&t to be removed and replaced with a modern wiring system to prevent a re-occurence of FIRE!
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
I doubt that the knob and tube wiring was the cause of the fire. K&T, in original condition (not modified by unqualified people) is one of the safest wiring methods that has ever been used. Its only real draw back is the lack of an EGC.
Don
The fire was not as a result of the KAT. It was a debris fire that caught onto the basement of the house.
The issue is whether the non-damaged KAT has to be replaced or rather not be re-connected due to an NEC requirement.
This policyholder's insurance policy has an endorsment that does cover "any ordinance or law that regulates conctruction, repair" etc etc.
So it becomes a matter of "law" requiring replacement or re-connecting un-damaged KAT conductors when determining whether there is insurance coverage for the additional cost.
Believe it or not a claim adjustment does not address what would be a "prudent" thing to do to prevent a possible fire in the future; only the cost to put the policyholder back in the same position they were before the fire.
The issue is whether the non-damaged KAT has to be replaced or rather not be re-connected due to an NEC requirement.
This policyholder's insurance policy has an endorsment that does cover "any ordinance or law that regulates conctruction, repair" etc etc.
So it becomes a matter of "law" requiring replacement or re-connecting un-damaged KAT conductors when determining whether there is insurance coverage for the additional cost.
Believe it or not a claim adjustment does not address what would be a "prudent" thing to do to prevent a possible fire in the future; only the cost to put the policyholder back in the same position they were before the fire.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Kemosabe, most of us have worked fire jobs and we know what you are talking about. tshea called it right, the local AHJ will be the ones that determine if the KAT must be replaced. The Natinal Electric Code would allow the old wiring to stay if it's safe but that does not mean the local authorities will. The electrical contractor that does the repairs will have to get a permit to change the panel and they should have a good idea of what the local authorities will accept. Most homeowners want a new house if they have a small fire but they don't normally get it. One more thing is finding a local contractor to do minimal repair work. If I think a job is dangerous I'm not going to put my name on it. I would suggest getting estimates from a local contractors. It's impossible to make a decision about a job without seeing it.
No electrician in my area will put his name to the existing k&t. Therefore I'm making the insurance company pay to terminate the k&t circuits and install new approved wiring in wire mold with surface mounted outlets and switches. Now everyone is happy. In my business a good adjustment is when all the parties are satisfied.
I can't thank you all enough for your interest and promt replies.
I can't thank you all enough for your interest and promt replies.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Often the fire damaged wiring is easy to fix but bringing things up to min code can be costly.Years and years of handyman and home owner work often is a problem.I would want to meet with the inspector before i estimate any repairs.I have seen homeowners get upgraded service when all that burned was 1 wire.Sometimes there are even missing panel covers and 30 amp screw in fuses to protect a 20 amp circuit.It can be a mess and i have turned down some jobs that just spelled trouble and liability to a fire trap.
- Status