recessed lighting

[Embers]

I have a fire in an attic of an eight month old residence. The fire origin has a 'Thomas Capri' recessed light as the likely source of ignition. The light has a proper bulb and did not give prior indications to the homeowners of overheating. Its UL listed for contact with thermal insulation. Six inches of fiberglass insulation was tight against the light prior to the fire. A later model of this light has a changed UL listing which calls for a 3" gap between the light and thermal insulation. Has anyone else had a problem with these lights.

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[Technical Consultants Grp]

I have not come across the specfic brand and model you mentioned.

Does your subject fixture contain a high-temperature limit switch mounted inside the can? How about the other model you mentioned?

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Mike Foley
Technical Consultants Group, Ltd.
Denver, Colorado

[tkl1322]

I have not had a fire like that yet but in the CA electric code I believe that any recessed light must have a min. of 6" of clearance all the was around them due to fire danger. all recessed lights get hot, especially halogen lights. Good luck.

[gcoates]

I recently investigated a fire where a 12 volt halogen recessed downlight in a bathroom had caused a smouldering fire in the blown in cellulose ceiling insulation that burned gradually overnight beginning to char the ceiling joist, preparatory to increasing in intensity. The owners were fortunate to have been present when the smoke alarm alerted them to the fire.
The downlight was new and had just been installed by an electrician. It was a generic type with a diecast aluminium enclosure and spring retaining clips with a maximum wattage of 50W. The transformer was an electronic type rated for 50W and although the leads were discoloured the fire definitely started at the lamp.
These lights generate a large amount of heat, and particularly the dichroic lamps which have a cool light beam because the reflector coating allows the heat to escape from the rear of the reflector. The temperature on the rear of the lamp can be of the order of 200ºC, and this is sufficient to begin charring, and eventually glowing ignition of cellulose material based on tests I have carried out in connection with another similar fire.
Manufacturers of these types of lights normally recommend leaving a 200mm space between the fitting and any ceiling insulation. The insulation still adhering to the lamp rear probably indicated that in this case the insulation was in contact with the lamp before the fire.



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Gerry Te Kapa Coates
Director
Ian Smith & Partners Ltd
P O Box 30535
LOWER HUTT
New Zealand

Ph: +64-4-566 8004
Fax +64-4-566 8037
Mobile +64-21-355 099
Email gerry@isp.co.nz