Need a code

[derrickj]

Hey guys. My father in laws house caught fire three weeks ago. I am going to do the electrical on the house and am going to bring it all up to code. My problem comes in with the insurance company, they state they only have to pay for what was burned.

By law I have to bring this all up to code, and I don't have my book here so can anyone tell what code states that the house all must be brought up to code.

Thanks

 

[infinity]

You won't find that requirement in the NEC so it must be a local code issue. Here in NJ where we have the Rehabilitation Code you may not have to bring anything up to the present code. Where are you getting your information from regarding bring up to the current code?

 

[480sparky]

It's a local building issue, not an NEC one. Your local building department is where to go to.

 

[charlie b]

The code does not say that at all. What it says is that ?here are the rules.? There is an article, now placed in the unenforceable annex at the back of the book, the so-called ?grandfather clause,? that essentially says an existing building need not be brought into compliance with the current rules, unless in the opinion of the AHJ the non-compliance constitutes a safety hazard to persons living in or using the building. Some jurisdictions, including mine, have added a local amendment that says that you can?t apply the grandfather clause unless the facility was compliant with the version of the code that was in effect at the time it was built.

My view (and it is certainly not a legal opinion, for those are not allowed here) is that the insurance company is required to pay only for the things the policy says they will pay. It?s in the contract you sign with them, when you first purchase insurance. No outside influence, such as a government rule requiring a complete rewire, or an NEC rule that speaks of bringing older buildings up to code, will alter in any way the terms of the insurance policy. So my advice is to read that policy carefully.