Equipment Breakdown Insurance (EBI), historically known as Boiler and Machinery insurance, is a specialized form of property coverage designed to protect against the "sudden and accidental" failure of pressure, mechanical, and electrical equipment. The RIBO Level 1 Blueprint requires brokers to distinguish between industrial/commercial "covered equipment" and standard "office or domestic appliances."
Covered equipment typically includes Boilers (A), Hot water tanks (B), and Compressors (C) because these items operate under pressure or utilize significant mechanical/electrical energy that, upon failure, can cause extensive damage to the surrounding property (e.g., a boiler explosion). These are critical systems that are often excluded from standard "All-Risks" property policies and require this specific form to provide indemnity.
Office water coolers (D), however, are generally considered small "plug-in" appliances or domestic-style equipment. Most EBI forms specifically exclude small appliances, furniture, and office equipment that do not form a part of the building’s primary mechanical or electrical infrastructure. While a water cooler might be covered for "fire" or "theft" under the main Commercial Property section, its internal mechanical breakdown is not the intended subject of an Equipment Breakdown policy.
Under the Consulting and Advising competency, a broker must help a business owner identify which critical systems require EBI. For a large office building, the loss of a HVAC compressor (C) is a major business interruption risk, whereas the failure of a water cooler is a minor maintenance issue. This technical knowledge ensures the broker correctly classifies the risk and recommends the appropriate sub-limits, fulfilling the Risk Identification and Assessment requirements of the competency profile.
