Business Insurance San Francisco Considers Older Buildings

Business Insurance in San Francisco gives extra consideration on old buildings. The issue of “aging buildings” is particularly crucial in more “mature” cities, where older structures are more numerous. The share of owner and tenant occupied housing buildings older than 40 years is much greater than the national average in major Western cities, such as Los Angeles, Portland, and San Francisco.
Commercial Insurance San Francisco sets its own requirements for the age of the building, required renovations, and criteria that must be completed before a coverage can be issued. An insurer’s standards for different types of buildings or assets in areas where weather is a factor in aging and deterioration may differ. There is no standard or criteria that applies to the entire industry.
While all building systems are affected by aging and deterioration, electrical system problems are the most dangerous.

Business Insurance San Francisco Recognizes Electrical Problems in Aged Buildings

Business Insurance San Francisco
Because 90 percent of a building’s electrical system is concealed behind walls, problems can easily go overlooked until it’s too late. Facilities managers should be aware of the following electrical system issues:
When significant appliances are running, flickering lights or lights that dim appear. Light switches, outlets, or electrical panels that are hot to the touch are known as hot spots. Circuit breakers and fuses were repeatedly tripped and blown. Outlets that aren’t working Burning odors, which could signal that wire insulation is melting before such issues emerge, facilities managers should keep up with updating and maintaining electrical systems.
Periodic electrical inspections and maintenance can prevent many of the problems that arise from malfunctioning electrical systems. Older buildings must also be updated to replace outdated and dangerous wiring with more contemporary components. Among the preventive measures are:
  • Conducting system inspection- Electrical systems should be evaluated and tested every three to five years by a professional, certified electrician. These regular checks can help to reduce the likelihood of unplanned shutdowns.
  • Infrared thermography- can be used to detect hot regions as well as filthy, loose, oxidized, or corroded connections. It can also detect phase-imbalance issues and problems with undersized wiring.
  • Hiring licensed electricians- Only hire licensed electricians when the electrical system needs to be upgraded. A system must meet current codes for the current occupancies in order to be considered “updated” or “upgraded.”

Business Insurance San Francisco : Actions to Reduce Risk

Business Insurance San Francisco

Why Do Failures Occur?

Electrical systems that aren’t well-maintained can be both costly and fatal. The failure of aged electrical systems is caused by a number of circumstances, including:

1. Outdated component

As technology progresses, previously commonplace parts may become obsolete. These components include Knob and Tube Wiring which uses single-insulated copper wires, Aluminum Wiring, and Old Panels.

a. Knob and tube wiring

Knob and tube wiring used single-insulated copper wires and was an early standardized technique of electrical wiring. Overheating or mechanical misuse are common causes of insulation degradation in knob and tube wiring.

b. Aluminum Wiring

When copper prices were high in the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring was used. Regrettably, the United States of America is one of the few countries in the world that Aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to cause “fire hazard circumstances” than copper wiring, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

c. Old Panels

While antique electrical panels, such as those used by the Federal Pacific Electric Company in the 1950s, aren’t common, they do exist and can corrode and break down with time. When this happens, they are no longer able to avoid surges, which might cause the components to melt, resulting in sparks and flames.

2. Worn out components

A building’s electrical system is normally considered aged after 25 to 30 years, though each insurance provider may have its own underwriting rules. Around this point, the system’s components begin to wear out and stop working as well as they once did.

3. Changes in a building's electrical needs

Electrical systems may no longer be suitable if the building’s function changes. For instance, if the building is now occupied by an owner who works in a different industry from the one for which it was originally planned and intended, the electrical requirements may be more advanced. Alternatively, the occupant may remain the same but his or her electrical needs have changed, and the system no longer serves them.

4. Lack of maintenance

Because electrical systems are mostly contained within a building’s walls, it’s likely that whomever has been maintaining the system hasn’t been doing so properly. If a facility manager has been putting up with interim repairs, now is the moment to invest in long-term solutions before it’s too late.

Get a Business Insurance Quote in San Francisco!

Overall, investing in the right resources can ensure that a building’s electrical system does not jeopardize the structure’s integrity or the safety of its occupants. For more risk management guidance, contact us today at (844)-234-5600. Get Your Business Insurance Quote Now