When I come across a Federal Pacific Electrical Panel during a home inspection, I recommend having the panel further evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor. There are several reasons why this is done. One being that there appears to be no clear evidence that this type of panel is defective. With that said, I've provided the Consumer Product Safety Commissions' final desicion on this panel. The Commission investigation into Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) circuit breakers began in June 1980, when Reliance Electric Co., a subsidiary of Exxon Corporation and the parent to FPE, reported to the Commission that many FPE circuit breakers did not fully comply with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) requirements. Commission testing confirmed that these breakers fail certain UL calibration test requirements. The Commission investigation focused primarily on 2 pole residential circuit breakers manufactured before Reliance acquired FPE in 1979. To meet UL standards residential circuit breakers must pass a number of so-called "calibration tests." The purpose of these tests is to determine whether the circuit breakers will hold the current for which they are rated and also automatically open or "trip" (shut off the current) within specified time limits if overloading of the circuit causes current levels in excess of the breaker's amperage rating. (Overloading can occur because a consumer plugs too many products into a circuit or due to the failure of a product or component connected to that circuit). While the Commission is concerned about the failure of these FPE breakers to meet UL calibration requirements, the Commission is unable at this time to link these failures to the development of a hazardous situation. According to Reliance, failures of these FPE breakers to comply with certain UL calibration requirements do not create a hazard in the household environment. It is Reliance's position that FPE breakers will trip reliably at most overload levels unless the breakers have been operated in a repetitive, abusive manner that should not occur during residential use. Reliance maintains that at those few overload levels where FPE breakers may fail to trip under realistic use conditions, currents will be too low to generate hazardous temperatures in household wiring. Reliance believes its position in this regard is supported by test data that it provided to the Commission. The Commission staff believes that it currently has insufficient data to accept or refute Reliance's position. The Commission staff estimates that it would cost several million dollars to gather the data necessary to assess fully whether those circuit breakers that are installed in homes but which may fail UL calibration tests present a risk to the public. Based on the Commission's limited budget ($34 million for fiscal year 1983), the known hazards the Commission has identified and must address (involving products of other manufacturers) and the uncertainty of the results of such a costly investigation, the Commission has decided not to commit further resources to its investigation of FPE's circuit breakers. However, despite its decision to close this particular investigation, the Commission will continue its investigation of circuit breakers generally. The Commission can reopen its investigation of FPE circuit breakers if further information warrants. The Commission advises consumers to take certain safety precautions with all circuit breakers and fuses. Consumers should: - Know your electrical circuit. Know which outlets and products are connected to each circuit. - Never overload any electrical circuit by connecting too many products to the circuit. Be particularly careful not to connect several products that demand high current (such as heating appliances) to a low amperage circuit. - Comply with local building codes in wiring or adding electrical circuits. Make sure the wiring and devices used in the circuit are connected to a circuit breaker or fuse of the proper size. - Immediately disconnect any electrical product if problems develop. Have the product examined by a competent repair person. - Investigate to determine why a fuse blows or circuit breaker trips. Do not simply replace the fuse or reset the breaker. If a fuse blows or breaker trips, it is often a warning that the circuit is overloaded. Check the circuit for causes of overloading (for example, too many appliances plugged in, a malfunctioning product, a short circuit). When in doubt, consult a licensed electrician. Consumers who have questions concerning circuit breakers, or who wish to report information relating to their safety, may call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free safety hotline at 800-638-CPSC.
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Access to all areas of a home is crucial to a complete home inspection. Without access to every area, a home inspector simply can't do their job effectively. And that says nothing of all of the potential defects that can be missed because access was not possible.
Access can be restricted in many ways. As home inspectors, we generally don't move personal belongings because if anything were to happen to those items, the person that moved the items could be liable. NO THANKS! Providing access is actually the responsibility of the home owner. However, it may be possible for me to move a bicycle, for example, to access an electrical panel. As a home inspector, I have to be prepared for just about anything! With that in mind, sometimes, providing adequate access is beyond the control of just about everyone. Under National Standards based on residential building code, a home inspector is not required to access any area that they feel may be unsafe to themselves, or to others. To give you an idea of what "safe"access is defined as by modern building codes, compare your home, or even use a tape measure, to understand the measurements in scale below. Crawlspace minimum access size Access shall be provided to all under-floor spaces. Access openings through the floor shall be a minimum of 18 inches by 24 inches (457 mm by 610 mm). Openings through a perimeter wall shall be not less than 16 inches by 24 inches (407 mm by 610 mm). *One key point regarding any access to any part of a structure actually relates to how difficult it might be for emergency personnel to get access to that area in the event that your inspector or service technician has an emergency while in this area. I will freely admit that most crawlspaces in this area do not meet the standard for access above. This limits any inspectors ability to properly inspect this area of the home. Attic minimum access size The 2012 International Residential Code requires an attic access opening for attics with an area greater than 30 square feet and a vertical height in excess of 30 inches. The rough framed opening must measure a minimum of 22 by 30 inches. If the opening is located in a wall, it must be at least 22 inches wide and 30 inches high. *Newer homes mostly have an access stairway that meets the size requirement listed, if not always being safe to use themselves! Older homes typically have "scuttle holes" which usually do not come even close to meeting this access standard! Attics With Mechanical EquipmentAttics containing mechanical equipment, such as an air conditioner, require an access opening regardless of the size of the attic itself. This opening must provide clear access of at least 20 by 30 inches; it must be large enough to allow for removal of the largest piece of equipment in the attic. *This standard is important for the home inspector, and also for your HVAC technician when it comes time to service your attic mounted HVAC unit. Not all homes have HVAC units in the attic, but I would estimate that more than half of all newer homes do. Like to learn more? Call me! Having problems with lower water pressure? Unfortunately, with our hard West Texas water, this is not uncommon. Here is a great how to on fixing this issue!
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-mineral-deposits-in-your-water/ |
AuthorCale Cameron Archives
October 2024
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