Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Aug 29, 2008 8:13 pm Hi,
I have an electrician installing energy saving downlights at my top floor apt today and I noticed that one row of the downlights were cut "into" the timber beam above, probably abt 150mm. There is cannister / fire rated safety hood for the downlights (fire rated ceiling requirement). I told the electrician that I was concerned abt it complying with the new regulation and he replied that because it's energy savings downlights, generates less heat than the halogen ones and I have already got the hood. The new legislation won't apply here... I'm not 100% confident in that yes, may be it doesn't hv to comply with the new regulation of 250mm but can it be at the beam???? Can any NSW electrician advise (not sure the same electrical standards apply for all states), please???? Many thanks in advance!!! Re: SOS - Energy Saving DownLights Installation Standards 2Aug 31, 2008 11:22 am HI newbie8
the rules state the following 4.5.2.3 Recessed luminaires Recessed luminaires and their auxiliary equipment shall be installed in a manner designed to minimize temperature rise and prevent the risk of fire. The temperature rise at the rear of a recessed luminaire shall be limited to prevent damage to adjacent materials. This requirement shall be satisfied by one of the following methods: (a) The use of a luminaire specifically designed and certified by the manufacturer to permit— (i) contact with combustible materials; or (ii) enclosure or covering by thermal insulation material, as appropriate to the location of the luminaire. (b) Installation of the luminaire within a suitable fire-resistant enclosure. (c) Provision of required clearances from combustible and thermal insulating material as specified by the manufacturer of the luminaire. (d) Provision of the default clearances from combustible and thermal insulating material as specified in Figure 4.7. Where manufacturer’s installation instructions that specify required clearances are not available, the luminaire shall be installed in accordance with (b) or (d). NOTE: In the case of a suitably designed luminaire, the installation instructions may specify that no clearance is required. so my understanding is that since you have the fire rated cover for it, the clearances don't need to be met. If you didn't have the cover, you would need to have them installed in accordance with point d. The pretty little picture in the AS3000 states that the clearance from building stuctures is 100mm for incandescents and 200mm for halogens. Saying that, if he has cut into a structural beam, this may interfere with building regulations, which i have no idea of. Sorry i can't be more help Re: SOS - Energy Saving DownLights Installation Standards 3Sep 03, 2008 9:26 pm Regardless of what he tells you he has or hasn't done, he should've given you a piece of paper called a "Certificate of Compliance - Electrical Work" form, stating that all the work he has done complies with AS3000. If he hasn't given you one of these forms within 14 days of completing/commissioning the work, then he could be liable for a fine of $2500. Mel has quoted part of the AS3000 related to the installation of downlights. In regards to the fire-rated box, did you watch him install the fittings and see him put the fire-rated cover there, or did you just see them in the box (and he might not have used them for that row of lights after-all)... Something else worth mentioning - you stated they are "energy efficient" - many people (even some electricians) think that all 12v downlights are "energy efficient", and I have even seen some with packaging emblazoned with "energy efficient - 30%" - which have a 35W globe instead of a 50W globe (so technically they are energy efficient), however it still needs to be installed in accordance with the spacing requirements mentioned above (or the fire-rated enclosure), as it's still a halogen globe... edit: Had a look at the rules today and it does specify different distances for the halogens and the incandescent globes for recessed fittings... However it doesn't mention anything about LED globes. I'd be referring back to the very start of the rule (listed above) which mentions the fittings "shall be installed in a manner designed to minimize temperature rise and prevent the risk of fire."; the way I see it is a fitting with LED globe wouldn't get hot enough to warrant the need for any shielding of heat. If all else fails, you could get a statement from the manufacturer as per the "Note" ("In the case of a suitably designed luminaire, the installation instructions may specify that no clearance is required"). brokers will also be in a position to get you a better rate than the advertised rate most times. 6 7574 Building Standards; Getting It Right! Don't think they are designed for double brick. WA has a particular way of building and unfortunately that's the way a large amount of sills are finished. 3 7004 I believe this is correct. From the picture you can see the power was put in last so the electrician knew where the water was. Really it's a common sense issue more… 4 5152 |