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Federal Pacific Electric (FPE Stab-Lok®) was brand of electrical panels widely distributed throughout the United States. When a dangerous over-current occurs, the equipment is likely to not trip, failing to provide the safety protection that is expected of circuit breakers. This panel and associated breakers have a history of failure.
Zinsco™ and Sylvania™-Zinsco Electric Panels are obsolete today but were once very popular and installed widely throughout the United States. As time has passed it has been determined that certain Zinsco panels often can fail to operate properly and may leave homes and homeowners at risk to both fire and electrical shock. These panels can work fine for years, but as homes have increased energy demands, these panels may overheat and experience significant breaker damage.
ReloOlogy understands the need for some clients to have these panels further evaluated by a qualified electrician before making final decisions with regard to the transferee and property. However, it is ReloOlogy’s position statement that these panels, regardless of condition, pose significant safety and/or financial risk and should be replaced, regardless of further review results. In addition, there can be a stigma related to these types of electrical panels, which poses a potential marketing problem and negotiation point for a future buyer. ReloOlogy recommends each corporate client make their own policy as to whether or not they require replacement of these panels.
Single-strand aluminum branch wiring was used during the 1960’s and 1970’s for the wiring of receptacles, switches, and devices throughout many homes. This single-strand branch aluminum wiring has been implicated in a number of house fires. The actual cause of these fires was not the aluminum wire itself but was the result of improper connections. Aluminum does not conduct electricity as efficiently as copper and creates more resistance and heat. The wire also expands and contracts more than copper thus there is a tendency for the connections to become loose at the devices and junction boxes. Oxidation will build up between the loose connections, causing an increase in the amount of heat generated, posing a potential fire hazard.
However, it is ReloOlogy’s position statement that single-strand aluminum branch wiring, regardless of condition, poses significant safety and/or financial risk and should be replaced, regardless of further review results. In addition, there can be a stigma related to this type of wiring, which poses a potential marketing problem and negotiation point for a future buyer. ReloOlogy recommends each corporate client make their own policy as to whether or not they require replacement of this wiring.
Knob & tube wiring is a type of wiring commonly installed until the 1950’s. The nickname is derived from the ceramic knobs that are used to insulate and secure the wiring runs and the ceramic tubes used to protect the wires where they pass thru materials (primarily wood joists, studs etc.). Unlike subsequent wiring systems where all the wires in a run are enclosed in a cable, the two wires (hot and neutral) run separately and come together at a terminal (switch, receptacle, fixture, junction box etc.). This is an older type wiring, which in and of itself can mean deteriorated materials, diminishing reliability and greater risk for electrical failure. In addition, when knob and tube wiring is improperly combined with more modern wiring components or covered by insulation it can create a potential fire hazard.
However, it is ReloOlogy’s position statement that knob and tube wiring, regardless of condition, poses significant safety and/or financial risk and should be replaced, regardless of further review results. In addition, there can be a stigma related to this type of wiring, which poses a potential marketing problem and negotiation point for a future buyer. RAL recommends each corporate client make their own policy as to whether or not they require replacement of this wiring.
Kitec is a plumbing system that was manufactured by a Canadian corporation named IPEX and sold in the United States until IPEX discontinued the product line in 2007. Kitec became a popular alternative to copper in the mid-1990’s due to its inexpensive cost and simple installation. IPEX marketed Kitec as a rugged, corrosion-resistant alternative to copper that would hold up under aggressive water conditions.
The Kitec plumbing system consists of both pipe and fittings. Kitec water pipe was manufactured as a composite cross-linked polyethylene (“PEX”) and aluminum (“AL”) pipe, whereby a thin, flexible aluminum layer was “sandwiched” between inner and outer layers of PEX plastic. Thus, Kitec water pipe was commonly referred to as “PEX-AL-PEX” pipe. Kitec pipe and fittings were connected together using either a crimped aluminum or copper ring or a compression fitting using a locking nut and split ring.
In 2005, Kitec fittings became the subject of a state class action lawsuit filed against IPEX in Clark County, Nevada. Kitec fittings were for the most part made of brass, which is mainly composed of copper and zinc. The Clark County lawsuit alleged that Kitec fittings failed because of a chemical reaction called dezincification. As alleged in the Clark County lawsuit, when hot and/or “aggressive” water flowed through the brass fittings, the zinc leached out of the fittings, thereby weakening the structural integrity of the brass and, ultimately, causing failure in the fittings. The Clark County lawsuit only concerned Kitec fitting failures occurring in that jurisdiction, and did not concern Kitec piping product, or Kitec fitting failures occurring outside of Clark County, Nevada.
Kitec Systems have been established as having a high risk for product failure. The system can fail without warning causing damage to the building structure and personal property.
The presence of Kitec plumbing components were noted at the time of the assessment. ReloOlogy does not inspect Kitec Systems as a general policy. These products are noted due to alleged defects as established in various class action lawsuits. ReloOlogy recommends that our client and the homeowner obtain additional information about the settlement by referring to the settlement website at www.kitecsettlement.com/; by calling 1-877-337-1293, or by writing to Kitec Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001
ReloOlogy understands the need for some clients to have the Kitec Plumbing System further evaluated by a qualified plumber before making final decisions with regard to the transferee and property. Regardless of the current condition and/or plumber’s opinion, it is ReloOlogy’s position that Kitec Plumbing Systems pose a risk of failure that can lead to significant property damage and loss of personal property. In addition, the history and stigma associated with this product may put the client at risk of complete replacement demands by potential buyers. ReloOlogy recommends each corporate client make their own policy as to whether or not they require the replacement of this piping.
Failures of Kitec pipe and fittings have been reported across the United States and Canada prompting the filing of multiple class action lawsuits and investigations concerning the manufacturing process and composition of Kitec pipe. During the Kitec hot water pipe manufacturing process, IPEX added an “antioxidant” to the PEX, which is a product intended to prevent the PEX from quickly corroding under the effects of light, oxygen, heat and water exposure. In the case of Kitec pipe, it appears that the antioxidant is rapidly depleting from the PEX, resulting in separation of the PEX-AL-PEX layers, corrosion of the PEX and the aluminum core and, ultimately, premature failure of the pipe.
On November 17, 2011, the United States District Court of Northern Texas, Dallas Division approved the class action settlement agreement, which provided for $125,000,000 in settlement funds. The agreement became effective on January 9, 2012. The claims filing deadline is January 9th, 2020. The agreement excludes the Clark County Class as there was already an established settlement in that case.
The settlement covers Kitec Systems, which may consist of components, individual parts, or as a system, PEX-AL-PEX, PE-AL-PE, PERT-AL-PERT, valves, fittings, and/or components, manufactured by or on behalf of IPEX whether sold under the names Kitec, PlumbBetter, IPEX AQUA, WarmRite, Kitec XPA, AmbioComfort, XPA, KERR Controls, Plomberie Améliorée or otherwise.
People who own or owned or lease or leased structures with the Kitec System and believe they may qualify for a payment under this settlement can obtain additional information about the settlement by checking the website at www.kitecsettlement.com; by calling 1-877-337-1293, or by writing to the following for the United States:
Kitec Claims Administrator
PO Box 6001
Larkspur, CA 94977-6001
Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as “the pipe of the future” and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. While scientific evidence is scarce, it is believed that oxidants in the water supplies, such as chlorine, react with the polybutylene piping and plastic fittings causing them to scale, flake and become brittle. Micro-fractures result and the basic structural integrity of the system is reduced. Thus, the system becomes weak and may fail without warning causing damage to the building structure and personal property. It is believed that other factors may also contribute to the failure of polybutylene systems, such as improper installation, but it is virtually impossible to detect installation problems and micro-cracking deterioration throughout an entire system.
Although no visible defects were noted in the polybutylene piping in this home, the presence of this product is noted due to the potential for defects associated with some types of polybutylene piping.
ReloOlogy understands the need for some clients to have polybutylene piping further evaluated by a qualified plumber before making final decisions with regard to the transferee and property. Regardless of the current condition, it is ReloOlogy’s position statement that polybutylene piping poses a risk of failure that can lead to significant property damage and loss of personal property. In addition, the history and stigma associated with this product may put the client at significant risk of complete replacement demands by potential buyers. ReloOlogy recommends each corporate client make their own policy as to whether or not they require the replacement of this piping.
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