Draft standard for recessed luminaire barriers

A draft of the standard for recessed luminaire barriers (to be released as AS/NZS 5110:2010) was issued for public comment on 15 September 2010, with a closing date of 27 October 2010.

The draft standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee, EL-041, Lamps and Related Equipment.

The objective of this standard is to provide a classification and test procedure for recessed luminaire barriers to provide uniform compliance criteria for any barrier that may be called up by other standards, codes, commercial contracts, building specifications, regulatory requirements, or the like.

The standard specifies the safety requirements for barriers for recessed luminaires to provide adequate isolation from building elements, insulation and/or debris to reduce the fire risk to any surrounding material. It has requirements on classification, construction, testing, marking and manufacturers' instructions.

The following are included within the scope of the draft standard:

• Any recessed luminaire barrier intended for installation over an existing luminaire; and
• Any recessed luminaire barrier that is a permanent or removable part of a luminaire.

Any luminaire incorporating a permanent or removable recessed luminaire barrier, apart from meeting the requirements of this standard, needs to meet the appropriate tests in AS/NZS 60598.2.2.

Recessed luminaires complying with AS/NZS 60598.2.2 as ‘do not cover’, ie, not suitable for covering with thermally insulating material, are excluded from this standard as they do not include a permanent or removable recessed luminaire barrier.

Barriers compliant to this standard may be suitable barriers to be referenced by other standards (such as AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, or AS 3999 Thermal insulation in Dwellings-Bulk insulation-Installation requirements), or any specific commercial contract on installation of recessed luminaires, subject to any restrictions or conditions of use, installation or other requirements stated in those standards or contracts.

If the barrier has electrical components (for example, a thermal cut-out), the tests of this standard may be used as part of the requirements to show compliance, if appropriate, to AS/NZS 3820: Essential safety requirements of low voltage electrical equipment.

The means to submit comments on this draft standard is to download the comment form from www.standards.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=U4t_r2CKfhU%3d&tabid=411.

Standards Australia has outlined that, when completing the comment form, respondents should ensure that the number of this draft, their name and organisation (if applicable) is recorded, relevant clause numbers be placed beside each comment and supporting reasons and suggested wording for each comment.

When completed, this form should be returned to the Projects Manager, Alan Ly, via email to alan.ly@standards.org.au.