KEY POINTS:
A warning has been issued over the fire risk posed by incorrectly placed ceiling insulation and halogen down lights.
The warning was issued by Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, and followed reports of 50 house fires over the past 18 months in the state of Victoria blamed by the Victorian Fire Brigade on down-light fire.
Dennis D'Arcy, president of the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand, says the lights need not be a hazard if insulation and down-lights are installed correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
"These lights need to be professionally installed by an electrician and care taken that there is minimal prospect of ceiling insulation coming into the radiant heat zone that emerges from the light.
"It is important that homeowners understand the differences between the insulation products that are available. Some are non-combustible."
Archicentre said that with down lights being a popular, flexible and mood lighting choice for home builders and renovators, extra precautions needed to be taken to ensure that heat generated into the roof space does not become a fire hazard when combined with combustible materials.
- NZPA
