Should Condensing units be replaced after fire?

[kdean1]

I have been asked by a general contractor, that is working with an insurance agency on a daycare center that had a fire, to write a letter stating that the outdoor units should be replaced along with duct work and air handlers. My opinion is that there is probably nothing wrong with the outdoor units. The linesets are still in tact and still have pressure on them. The general contractor thinks that because of the fire it could have caused the refrigerant to boil and could have caused damage to the refrigerant therefore causing internal damage to the system. I'm just looking for other input that could justify me stating that the outdoor units should be replaced. The heat pumps are only a couple of years old.

Thanks

[doc havoc]

I highly doubt the fire damaged the refrigerant inside the linesets. They make saddle type access fittings that you braze on with the system charged. I would think the flame from an oxy/acetylene torch being concentrated in one spot would be more apt to wreck the refrigerant than a fire. However, I've never been in a burning building so I don't know what kind of temperatures are achieved.

[toocoolforschool]

If the air handlers are being replaced and the refrigerant is r-22, it would only make sense to replace systems with r-410 a instead of just using r-22 coils, but I guess that would be up to the insurance company. If units are already r-410,a why would they need replacing, unless you are trying to get something for nothing.

[Pete838]

You could make the argument that an ARI match is not readily obtainable with indoor change only to current model and that necessitates full replacement.

[shaka]

Don't listen to general contractor
You are the pro on site not him.

Tell them they need a 25 seer system to remove smoke smell :whistle:
:cheers:

[shaka]

Don't listen to general contractor
You are the pro on site not him.

Tell them they need a 25 seer system to remove smoke smell :whistle:
:cheers:

[shaka]

Oops sorry double

[beenthere]

Could have harmed compressors if they were running during the fire. Not only would the refrigerant been exposed to high temps, but the oil circulating with the refrigerant. Why risk going back later to change out condensers, and having the daycare want you to replace them for free since you said they weren't harmed.

[jpsmith1cm]

I have been asked by a general contractor, that is working with an insurance agency on a daycare center that had a fire, to write a letter stating that the outdoor units should be replaced along with duct work and air handlers. My opinion is that there is probably nothing wrong with the outdoor units. The linesets are still in tact and still have pressure on them. The general contractor thinks that because of the fire it could have caused the refrigerant to boil and could have caused damage to the refrigerant therefore causing internal damage to the system. I'm just looking for other input that could justify me stating that the outdoor units should be replaced. The heat pumps are only a couple of years old.

Thanks


Man, I'd LOVE to hear him explain that.

Then I'd take a minute, sit him down and explain that refrigerants is CONSTANTLY boiling in an operating refrigeration system and that boiling causes no damage to the equipment.

[keepingmycool]

i had a house fire a few years ago, melted sweat joints with water in them on my heat and domestic systems. i am with beenthere. If there is a problem in the future, who's liable, the property owner or the company that signed off on the system?

[monkeyspanners]

It might be ok, but if you replace the lot it will be ok. Which would you rather put your name to, might or will?

[austinsaysay]

Because we are even considering the possibilty that the units might NOT need replacing, i can assume that the fire damage was not extensively damaging to anything regarding the a/c. If an electrical storm burned out my tv, i would also love for the insurance company to replace my couches, but its just not practical or ethical to ask them to do that. I know what we all think of insurance comanies and yes i have stuck it to them in some cases, but let them be the bad guys and let us just do whats right. A two year old condenser that sits outside, and an airhandler with ductwork that was never on fire...... your call man. The only concern i would have is smoke smell coming from the ducts if it had been running during fire. Maybe even the coil needing cleaning. But in this case it sounds like the filter didnt even get scorched so i definatley wouldnt change it.

[shaka]

Because we are even considering the possibilty that the units might NOT need replacing, i can assume that the fire damage was not extensively damaging to anything regarding the a/c. If an electrical storm burned out my tv, i would also love for the insurance company to replace my couches, but its just not practical or ethical to ask them to do that. I know what we all think of insurance comanies and yes i have stuck it to them in some cases, but let them be the bad guys and let us just do whats right. A two year old condenser that sits outside, and an airhandler with ductwork that was never on fire...... your call man. The only concern i would have is smoke smell coming from the ducts if it had been running during fire. Maybe even the coil needing cleaning. But in this case it sounds like the filter didnt even get scorched so i definatley wouldnt change it.



Hey aren't you the insurance guy:grin2:
Good point
You got my vote
That's why our insurance is soo high
Everyone always want something free.

[truck12]

Building code here wouldn't allow changing one unit. You would need to use a matching set.

About the insurance thing and getting stuff for "free"? I've been paying for car insurance and haven't had a claim in eight years or more. They wouldn't pay for a cracked windshield. I'm giving them money. I don't see a problem with asking for some back.

Who here has worked on the ac at a daycare? Imagine the claims the parents and staff can make if you reuse the airhandlers, what if there is acid from burnt refrigerant in the system and the compressor stops working, all the kids have to go without air.

There are more claims to be made from poor airconditioning work than there are from a fire.

[Indoor Comfort]

30% of our work is Fire/water restoration. All you can do is what the insurance company is willing to pay for. If your General is used to working with insurance companys they should be able to handle the adjuster. Writing a letter may help but it is still up to them. If they say no well you tried, no libility on your part. We have replaced many air handlers and duct systems and reused the existing outdoor unit with no problems. Resto work isn't for everyone