AS/NZS 3000:2007

Confusion

AS/NZS 3000:2007 4.5.2.3 "Recessed luminaires" has a number clauses.

• 4.5.2.3.a.i does not conform to AS/NZS 60598.
• 4.5.2.3.a.ii matches AS/NZS 60598 requirements for insulating ceilings.
• 4.5.2.3.b says fire-resistant, but AS/NZS 60598 limits surface temperature.
• 4.5.2.3.c even with a small gap this will defeat thermal insulation.
• 4.5.2.3.d has been shown to defeat thermal insulation.

AS/NZS 3000:2007 4.5.2.3 "Recessed luminaires" also has a number of notes which according to the SA technical regulator are mandatory.

1. National Building Codes require the installation of thermal insulation in many situations.
2. AS/NZS 60598.1 and AS/NZS 60598.2.2 detail the test method and the maximum surface temperatures permitted for recessed luminaires.

NOTE 1 is a requirement of the BCA. Meeting this requirement is not possible with 4.5.2.3.d and also may not be possible with 4.5.2.3.c. See my calculations. This means clearances must be significantly reduced so that NOTE 2 also applies. This just leaves 4.5.2.3.a.ii as the only valid option.

Deleting clause 4.5.2.3.a.i, 4.5.2.3.c and 4.5.2.3.d and default clearances from AS/NZS 3000:2007 and aligning clause 4.5.2.3.b with AS/NZS 60598.1 and AS/NZS 60598.2.2 would clarify this situation. I have therefore struck out 4.5.2.3.a.i, 4.5.2.3.c and 4.5.2.3.d and the text and figure that it relates to. I have also changed clause 4.5.2.3.b.

With all these deletions it may now be limiting. The Recessed luminaires section could be split to cover cases where:

• insulation is installed, is to be installed later or may be installed later; and
• insulation can never be installed.

The original AS/NZS 3000:2007 text with my (comments), deletions and changes.

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:

1. The use of a luminaire specifically designed and certified by the manufacturer to permit-
   1. contact with combustible materials; or
      (The mark is not appropriate for insulating ceilings.
      The scope of this clause is Recessed luminaires for which AS/NZS 60598 requires insulation cover as below.)
   2. enclosure or covering by thermal insulation material, as appropriate to the location of the luminaire.
      (Only the mark is appropriate for insulating ceilings.
      The scope of this clause is Recessed luminaires so location here is meaningless.)
2. Installation of the luminaire within a suitable fire-resistant enclosure.
   Installation of the luminaire within an enclosure specifically designed and certified by the manufacturer to permit enclosure or covering by thermal insulation material.
3. Provision of required clearances from combustible and thermal insulating material as specified by the manufacturer of the luminaire.
4. 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.

Recessed luminaires and their auxiliary equipment shall be installed in such a manner that necessary cooling air movement through or around the luminaire is not impaired by thermal insulation or other material.

Where thermal insulation is of a type that is not fixed in position, e.g. loose fill, a barrier or guard constructed of fire-resistant material shall be provided and secured in position to maintain the necessary clearance (see Figure 4.7).

Where thermal insulation may reasonably be expected to be installed in the space containing a recessed luminaire, the luminaire shall be installed in such a manner as to provide for the subsequent installation of thermal insulation. (This puts requirement clearly.)

Recessed luminaires shall be installed in accordance with (a) or (b), or provided with equivalent protective measures, where there is a likelihood of extraneous combustible material, e.g. leaves or vermin debris, etc., collecting on or around the luminaire.

NOTES:

1. National Building Codes require the installation of thermal insulation in many situations.
2. AS/NZS 60598.1 and AS/NZS 60598.2.2 detail the test method and the maximum surface temperatures permitted for recessed luminaires. These maximum temperature limits must be satisfied to permit any reduction in the default values of Figure 4.7.

                         Building element above fitting             
 Barrier required for                  |                            
loose fill insulation     _Transformer |                  Building  
 or loose combustible    / 50 mm       A                  structural
            materials   / |-----|      |            B     member    
                   \  (())      |    __|__    |-----------|         
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|           |   |     |   |           |_______  
                    |           |  /       \  |           | \   / | 
 Thermal insulation |     C     | /         \ |           |       | 
                    |-----------|/   ( X )   \|           | /   \ | 
 _______________________________|             |____________________ 
                               =================                    
                               Recessed luminaire