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NEMA LE 7-2015 Recessed Luminaires Intended for Contact with Expanding Polyurethane Foam Insulation, 2015
- NEMA Standards Publication LE 7-2015
- Recessed Luminaires Intended for Contact with Expanding Polyurethane Foam Insulation
- Published by:
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900
- Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
- www.nema.org
- © 2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American Copyright Conventions.
- NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
- The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons engaged in the development and approval of the document at the time it was developed. Consensus does not necessarily mean that there is unanimous agreement among every person participating in the development of this document.
- American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) standards and guideline publications, of which the document contained herein is one, are developed through a voluntary consensus standards development process. This process brings together volunteers and/or seeks out the views of persons who have an interest in the topic covered by this publication. While NEMA administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not write the document and it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy or completeness of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards and guideline publications.
- NEMA disclaims liability for any personal injury, property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, application, or reliance on this document. NEMA disclaims and makes no guaranty or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and disclaims and makes no warranty that the information in this document will fulfill any of your particular purposes or needs. NEMA does not undertake to guarantee the performance of any individual manufacturer or seller’s products or services by virtue of this standard or guide.
- In publishing and making this document available, NEMA is not undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is NEMA undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using this document should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. Information and other standards on the topic covered by this publication may be available from other sources, which the user may wish to consult for additional views or information not covered by this publication.
- NEMA has no power, nor does it undertake to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this document. NEMA does not certify, test, or inspect products, designs, or installations for safety or health purposes. Any certification or other statement of compliance with any health- or safety-related information in this document shall not be attributable to NEMA and is solely the responsibility of the certifier or maker of the statement.
- Foreword
- This standards publication was developed to provide requirements for Type IC luminaires that are appropriate for use with polyurethane spray foam. During its development, the NEMA Luminaire Section worked with the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance.
- The preparation of this standards publication was done by the Luminaire Section, in close cooperation with the Lamp and Ballast Sections of the NEMA Lighting Systems Division. Input of users and other interested parties has been sought and evaluated. Inquiries, comments, and proposed or recommended revisions should be submitted to the Indoor Lighting Section of NEMA by contacting:
- Senior Technical Director, Operations
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900
- Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
- This standard was developed by the Luminaire Section. Section approval of the Standard does not necessarily imply that all section members voted for its approval or participated in its development. At the time it was approved, the Luminaire Section was composed of the following members:
- Acuity Brands Lighting
- Appleton Group
- Atlas Lighting Products, Inc.
- BJB Electric
- Coleman Cable
- Cree, Inc.
- Deco Lighting
- Eaton’s Cooper Lighting Business
- EYE Lighting International
- GE Lighting
- Hubbell Lighting, Inc.
- Intelligent Illuminations, Inc.
- Juno Lighting Group by Schneider Electric
- LumenOptix, LLC
- MaxLite
- OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
- Philips Lighting
- RAB Lighting
- Satco Product Inc.
- Thomas & Betts Corporation
- Venture Lighting International
- Purpose
- Electrical codes do not exclude the use of polyurethane spray foam with Type IC luminaires. Studies conducted by the NEMA Luminaire section indicate that there could be issues with this type of installation. The purpose of this standard is to define a subset of Type IC luminaires that are appropriate for use with polyurethane spray foam.
- CONTENTS
- Foreword i
- Purpose ii
- Section 1 GENERAL 1
- 1.1 SCOPE 1
- 1.2 REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS 1
- 1.3 DEFINITIONS 1
- Section 2 GENERAL 2
- Section 3 INSPECTION 3
- Section 4 COMPONENT REPLACEMENT 4
- Section 5 INGRESS 5
- Section 6 TEMPERATURE 6
- Section 7 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7
- Section 8 MARKING 8
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- Section 1 GENERAL [Go to Page]
- This standard provides requirements and recommendations for Type IC recessed luminaires intended for installation in contact with low density and medium density polyurethane foam thermal insulation.
- The latest editions and revisions of the following publications are adopted as indicated by reference in this Standards Publication.
- ASTM C518-10 Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
- ASTM C1363-11 Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus
- UL 1598/CSA 22.2 No 250.0 Standard for Luminaires
- Low density spray foam: open-cell water-blown spray polyurethane foam (SPF) used for interior insulation applications. Density for low density SPF is 0.4-1.5 lb/ft3. It is also known as half-pound foam and has an R-value from R3.6-R4.3 per inch per ASTM C518 or C1363.
- Medium density spray foam: closed-cell fluorocarbon-blown SPF used for interior and exterior insulation applications. Density for medium density SPF is 1.5-2.5 lb/ft3. It is also known as two-pound foam and has an R-value from R5.8-R6.8 per inch after aging per ASTM C518 or C1363.
- Spray foam compatible luminaire (SPCL): a luminaire that complies with this standard.
- Section 2 GENERAL
- 1. Luminaires addressed by this specification shall comply with the Type IC requirements in UL1598/CSA22.2 250.0 as appropriate for the intended country of installation. These luminaires are intended for installation in accordance with the electrical code and regulations applicable to the installation site.
- 2. Luminaires shall be constructed in a manner that allows access to supply connections and replaceable components from the room side of the luminaire.
- 3. During evaluation of a luminaire to determine compliance with this specification, when it is necessary to apply expanding spray foam insulation, the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the insulation shall be followed.
- Section 3 INSPECTION
- Parts that are required to be removed to allow access from the room side for purposes of supply connection inspection shall not be located so that the foam insulation will interfere with their removal. Compliance is determined by visual examination.
- In cases of uncertainty, the luminaire shall be attached to a 12.7 mm (½ in) thick section of plywood in a manner to simulate actual ceiling mounting and foam insulation applied for a final thickness of at least 25.4 mm (1 in) to all surfaces that would be exposed above the ceiling. There shall be no interference with the intended inspection procedure.
- Section 4 COMPONENT REPLACEMENT
- Components that the manufacturer has designed to be field replaceable shall be located and secured in a manner that will allow access and servicing from the room side of the luminaire without disturbing the spray foam insulation. Compliance is determined by visual examination.
- In cases of uncertainty, the luminaire shall be attached to a 12.7 mm (½ in) thick section of plywood in a manner to simulate actual ceiling mounting and foam insulation applied for a final thickness of at least 25.4 mm (1 in) to all surfaces that would be exposed above the ceiling. There shall be no interference with the intended service procedure.
- Section 5 INGRESS
- Outer surfaces of the luminaire that the expanding foam may contact in liquid form during field spray application, shall not have openings that will allow liquid spray foam ingress into wiring or light source compartments. Compliance is determined by visual examination.
- In cases of uncertainty, the luminaire shall be attached to a 12.7 mm (½ in) thick section of plywood in a manner to simulate actual ceiling mounting and foam insulation applied for a thickness of at least 25.4 mm (1 in) to all surfaces that would be exposed above the ceiling. There shall be no liquid spray foam ingress into wiring or light source compartments.
- Section 6 TEMPERATURE
- The luminaire shall be tested in accordance with UL1598 / CSA C22.2 250.0 Sections 11 and 12 as a Type IC luminaire, with the following differences:
- a. Where the standard calls for the application of thermal insulation, low or medium density expanding spray foam insulation shall be applied at a thickness that results in at least Rsi 0.56 (R3.2).
- b. Exterior points that may contact foam insulation shall not exceed 82°C (179.6°F).
- Alternatively, the luminaire shall be tested in accordance with UL1598 / CSA C22.2 250.0 Sections 11 and 12 as a Type IC luminaire, using the loose fill insulation specified in the section 19.16 of the standard, with the following differences:
- a. For purposes of evaluating compliance, 10°C shall be added from measured temperatures at exterior points that may contact foam insulation.
- b. After the upward correction, exterior points that may contact foam insulation shall not exceed 82°C (179.6°F).
- Section 7 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- The luminaire installation instructions may indicate compatibility with expanding spray foam insulation.
- The instructions shall detail any special procedure necessary to ensure compatibility with spray foam applications.
- The luminaire installation instructions shall indicate that all instructions provided by the spray foam manufacturer shall be followed.
- Section 8 MARKING
- The luminaire may be marked: SPCL
- Any labeling necessary on the luminaire that is required to be accessible after installation shall not be on surfaces that may be covered by the spray foam.
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