AIR-SEALING CAN LIGHTS SAFELY
Larry Armanda, a
Therma-View Infrared & Energy Consultant with over 35 years of experience in the building industry wrote an interesting piece in the January issue of Fine Homebuilding about safely enclosing recessed lights.
Over the years, Larry read a lot of articles in magazines, telling people to use foam board products to dam recessed can lights and got so concerned about this unsafe methodology that he started his own research, to explain to people the dangers of this practice.
The beginnings of his researches date back to 2001 and are probably some of the most in-depth studies done in this field, as they go beyond just the different methodologies people use and also include the type of wiring feeding the fixture which no one is addressing.
There have been some reported cases of fires by contractors using rigid board boxes to cover recessed can lights and the weatherization programs from utilities still allow it.
Using foam insulation is a common way to stop airflow through recessed can lights, which are notorious energy wasters. Unfortunately, the temperatures inside a foam enclosure can get hot enough to melt the foam or the wiring inside the enclosure, creating a fire risk. In his article, veteran electrician and building-science expert Larry Armanda points out the potential dangers and shows how to seal up can lights safely and effectively. To determine just how hot it can get inside a can light enclosure, Larry constructed a purpose-built test rig and monitored the temperature inside with a four-channel data logger. Then using his temperature data, he designed a safer enclosure with modern wiring, a heat-resistant enclosure, and a long-lasting LED light bulb. Two detailed illustrations that complement the article show both a conventional can-light enclosure and Larry's safer enclosure, the TENMAT Recessed Light Cover.
In his studies Larry concludes that TENMAT Recessed Light Covers are the safest solution, as they provide sufficient space for the light and a fire safe barrier to flammable insulation. He points out that the covers are made out of fire safe mineral wool and will not melt like polystyrene or plastic.
The full article can be found in the January issue of Fine Homebuilding or on the website of Fine Homebuilding. 
