Once a building has completed its construction phase, one of the next steps before welcoming visitors onto your property is to secure insurance for the building itself. If you’re currently looking to get approved for insurance on your commercial building, it’s more than likely that the insurance broker is going to ask you to conduct an electrical inspection first.
This inspection ensures, to you and your insurance broker, that your property complies with the BC Electrical Code and that those who visit your property are safe and not exposed to any electrical hazards.
After conducting countless electrical insurance inspections, the experienced technicians at AJ’s Electrical have broken down what is included when in an electrical inspection.
What Happens During an Inspection?
An insurance inspection involves a licensed electrician who will come to your commercial property and work their way through multiple checklists. These checklists contain items that require inspection. The purpose of an inspection is to ensure that your building’s electrical system is functioning properly, in good condition and won’t pose any potential hazards. Like health insurance, this is to prove that your building does not have a pre-existing condition that will cost the insurance company.
Once all the checks and tests are finished, the electrician will give you a detailed report on their findings which you will need to hand off to your insurance company once you’ve completed the recommended amendments.
There are four main checklists that are included on an electrical insurance inspection:
Check List #1 – System
The inspection starts off with tests to determine the quality of the property’s electrical system. To get the system qualified, a licensed electrician will analyze the building’s service connection while taking into consideration the size of the building. Here the inspector is looking to see if the system can handle the amount of energy the building may require.
The inspector will also look at the type of circuitry used and the type of distribution panel to ensure that everything complies with current standards. Certain wiring systems such as knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring is statistically more associated with fires than their counterparts which impacts the insurer’s decision. This system check also allows the inspector to be able to identify if a panel is susceptible to an overload or short circuiting.
Check List # 2 – Condition
The next check involves inspecting the overall condition of the electrical system – this takes a look at the electrical connections and circuits themselves. During this section of the inspection, the electrician will look for signs of corrosion, damaged connectors, burn marks and aging as well as evaluate the overall craftsmanship of the system, ensuring that no shortcuts were taken. The inspector will then assess to see if there is a preventative maintenance program in place.
The technician will then take a look on the outside of your building to ensure that the grid connections are in good condition. Making sure that the outside service equipment matches the service panel is crucial here as a majority of fires have been started due to the installation of a 200 amp electrical panel on a lower amp service panel.
While outside, they will also look to make sure that they are not in contact with things like tree branches or gutters that may pose potential threats in the future.
Check List # 3 – Up To Code
Electrical codes are set in place to ensure that systems are kept up to date and don’t pose a safety risk for all those who are on the property. Questions your inspector may ask you during this portion may include: when your building was built and the latest updates were made.
As with the rest of your inspection, time here will be spent ensuring all the systems are up to modern-day codes and regulations.
Check List # 4 – Fire Hazards
Electrical fires are one of the main costs for insurance companies. This means that an emphasized and detailed look at potential fire hazards will be required as a part of an insurance inspection.
Like the rest of the inspection, the report will make note of all potential hazards; insurance companies will ensure that they are dealt with before a building can be approved for insurance.
Some examples of potential fire hazards include:
- Overloaded Circuits – They carry too much electricity, which generates heat in undetectable amounts. This heat can lead to an electrical fire.
- Faulty Wiring – When wires are not properly installed or maintained, they can also begin to overheat which will result in an electrical fire.
- Arcing and Sparking – Electrical arcs/ sparks are extremely hot and can exceed over 5000 °C. When these sparks are produced, they are likely to ignite in certain environments causing electrical fires.
- Flammable Materials in Proximity – While it may not be possible to prevent wiring from overheating or electrical arcs, if there is no flammable material in proximity then the damage of an electrical fire can be contained. Removing all potential fuel for a fire is critical.
- Overheating Components – As with wiring, if components are overheating they are more likely to cause an electrical fire as they are carrying excess heat.
- Short Circuits – A short circuit is a result of an overloaded circuit, due to the high heat produced the materials around are heated to a point where they are likely to combust.
At the end of the day, an electrical inspection will help you understand where any potential safety hazards are present in your building’s electrical system as well as identify if your systems are up to code. An electrical insurance inspection must be done during the initial build of a building or if you’re a new owner trying to ensure your property. These electrical safety standards must be met before any insurance company can offer your building insurance.
If you’re looking to get your home or business insured, contact a licensed electrician to book your electrical insurance inspection and get the process started today.