I would do the same thing as BigB. I would tell the HO that the FPE panels were never offically recalled, The panels are now on an "Obsolete" list for this type of panel. You can still get replacement breakers here (NJ)for about triple the price of regular breakers. They have a bad reputation for not tripping, but that the HO should do some homework and research the panel on the web. In the 25 years of doing electrical work, I just saw last year a fire job that was caused by the service panel. And guess what the panel was!? That was the first and last time I have seen that, yet I remember when I was working were I shorted out a phase wire and the breaker didn't trip.
Harold
