Downlights, insulation and your safety

Insulation in your ceiling is a good investment and under most circumstances there are no fire risks associated with insulation. However, where there are recessed downlights a few safety precautions need to be taken into account.

What are recessed downlights?

A recessed downlight is a light with the bulb concealed in the ceiling and the light fitting flush with the ceiling.

Why can recessed downlights pose a fire risk?

Recessed downlights have a transformer and light bulb that can get very hot when covered. Materials, such as insulation and ceiling joists that are too close to the transformer can pose a fire risk.

What is Community Energy Action doing to prevent recessed downlights becoming a fire risk?

Community Energy Action installers have been trained to leave the appropriate gaps over and around recessed downlights. We check installation to ensure your insulation complies with the New Zealand Standard 4246:2006. Community Energy Action notes the number of downlights in your ceiling when giving you a quote for insulation. This number is on your quote and it is important that you let us know if this number is incorrect. Every house with downlights is checked by a Community Energy Action quality inspector. Fire risk from covered downlights is an integral part our installers training.

How can you avoid downlights becoming a fire risk in the future?

Tradesmen doing work in your roof space after the insulation has been installed could dislodge insulation. Make sure you only use qualified tradesmen who are familiar with the requirements of insulation and downlights.

Why are downlights reducing the efficiency of your insulation?

As no insulation can be installed immediately around and over recessed downlights, insulation in a roof with recessed downlights will be less effective but still worthwhile. If you are installing recessed downlights after insulation has been installed, make sure you use a qualified electrician who knows how to install recessed downlights in an insulated ceiling. They should not be installed in combustible material.

How much space should be left over and around downlights?

The lighting manufacturer's specifications should be adhered to firstly. In their absence Community Energy Action will leave the following gaps around downlights when installing insulation as required by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority: There should be no insulation installed above downlights and a 200mm (halogens) or a 50mm (incandescent) gap around downlights. Insulation can be installed right up to energy efficient downlights. However, Community Energy Action will only install insulation up to these lights if the customer can provide proof on paper that the downlights are indeed energy efficient downlights.

Disclaimer: Community Energy Action has taken every possible care to ensure the information contained in this information sheet is current and correct. However, Community Energy Action assumes no responsibility for this information and disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or death whatsoever and however incurred in reliance upon this information.