Downlight dangers
Fire safety and electrical safety regulators across Australia have raised concern about an increase in building fires caused by heat from recessed lighting setting fire to building material and other materials.
The type of luminaire (light fitting) of particular concern is the incandescent halogen recessed ‘downlight’ which operates at very high temperature.
If thermal insulation is installed too closely around these lights, or they are installed too close to combustible material, ignition can result. Combustible material can include things like leaf litter which blows into roof spaces.
Transformers which supply the lighting can also suffer excessive temperature rise if improperly covered by thermal insulation.
The new edition of the Wiring Rules has responded to this problem with specific new provisions about the precautions that must be taken when installing recessed luminaires.
The revised Wiring Rules require that unless a recessed incandescent luminaire is specially designed and certified by the manufacturer with specific installation instructions for use in proximity to combustible materials, it must be installed with the default clearances and precautions detailed in the Wiring Rules.
These precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of people and their property.
Last updated 3 October 2008
Other languages