Spacing changes between halogens and insulation in new Wiring Rules

Standards Australia announced new rules relating to the installation of thermal insulation and halogen downlights which should help reduce the incidence of house fires.

Colin Blair, deputy chief executive officer of Standards Australia said: "Current Wiring Rules require clearance of 50 mm around lamps, luminaires or transformers. Thermal insulation and combustible building materials need to be kept at least this distance from the lights and their associated transformers to allow for the dissipation of the generated heat. The new edition of Wiring Rules will increase the clearance requirements from 50 to 200 mm. Many home owners are installing thermal insulation in walls, floors and ceilings to increase their energy efficiency, but the risk of fire increases where thermal insulation is installed with insufficient clearance and air ventilation around electrical fittings."

The changes come as reports emerge of 57 Melbourne houses being destroyed in the past 18 months by fires traced to the ignition of combustible materials near halogen downlights. Reports indicate these fires are the result of halogen lights being unsafely installed after insulation was fitted in roofs, or insulation being unsafely fitted after halogen lights were installed.

Blair called on all home owners to ensure tradespeople working on their homes were fully aware of the new rules.