This section provides guidance for enforcement agency personnel, outlining what to look for on the plans, what compliance documents to expect, and high priority issues to look for on inspections.
A. Confirm All Specified Luminaires Are High Efficacy
All permanently installed luminaires shown on the plans and/or specifications must be high efficacy (§150.0(k)1A). Luminaires may qualify as high efficacy in one of three ways:
1. Use one of the following lighting technologies:
•Pin-based linear fluorescent with electronic ballast.
•Pin-based compact fluorescent with electronic ballast.
•Pulse-start metal halide.
•High pressure sodium.
•GU-24 other than LEDs.
•Induction lamp.
•Inseparable SSL luminaires installed outdoors.
•Inseparable SSL luminaries with colored light sources for decorative lighting.
2. Luminaires EXCEPT recessed downlights, must comply with either:
•JA8-certified luminaires with integral light sources.
•Luminaires installed with JA8-certified lamps at inspection.
3. Recessed downlight luminaires must comply with BOTH:
•JA8-certified integral source or a JA8-certified lamp.
•Must NOT contain a screw base socket.
Plans, lighting specifications, and/or notes should clearly specify how luminaires will comply.
B. Confirm All Required Controls Are Specified
Plans and specifications should clearly indicate the controls required for compliance.
Vacancy controls should be shown on plans, or described in notes or specifications, to control at least one luminaire in each of the following spaces:
•Bathrooms
•Utility Rooms
•Laundry Rooms
•Garages
Dimmers or vacancy controls should be shown on plans, or described in notes or specifications, to control all luminaires using JA8-certified changeable lamps.
Plans, lighting specifications, and/or notes should clearly identify how luminaires will comply with the controls requirements. Notes and/or control equipment specifications should include any applicable requirements for control device operation.
C. Confirm Any Applicable Outdoor and Nonresidential Lighting Standards
Where applicable, outdoor lighting shall be shown on plans or described in specifications and/or notes to be high efficacy, and to meet the control requirements of §150.0(k)3.
Plans, specifications, and notes should also describe any applicable nonresidential common area or outdoor lighting requirements that apply.
Confirm that all required compliance documentation is included with the plans.
A. Certificate of Installation
The certificate of installation (CF2R-LTG) is the primary compliance documentation for residential lighting. There will be one or more CF2R-LTG forms submitted for each project. Confirm that all lighting systems and lighting controls in the project are covered by a CF2R-LTG. Confirm that all CF2R-LTG forms are registered, if required.
Builders are required to submit a lighting schedule to homeowners or occupants at the time of occupancy. This lighting schedule should describe all interior luminaires and lamps installed in the home. A draft lighting schedule should be included with the plans at plan check.
C. Documentation for Control Systems
Some lighting control systems for residential lighting will also require specific compliance documentation.
A. Confirm All Luminaires Are High Efficacy
Inspectors should verify that all installed luminaires are high efficacy. Luminaires are classified as high efficacy in one of three ways:
1. Use one of the following lighting technologies:
•Pin-based linear fluorescent with electronic ballast.
•Pin-based compact fluorescent with electronic ballast.
•Pulse-start metal halide.
•High pressure sodium.
•GU-24 other than LEDs.
•Induction lamp.
•Inseparable SSL luminaires installed outdoors.
•Inseparable SSL luminaries with colored light sources for decorative lighting.
2. Luminaires EXCEPT recessed downlights, must comply with either:
•JA8-certified luminaires with integral light sources.
•Luminaires installed with JA8-certified lamps.
3. Recessed downlight luminaires must comply with BOTH:
•JA8-certified integral source or a JA8-certified lamp.
•Must NOT contain a screw base socket.
Inspectors should be able to confirm that luminaires are high efficacy by a visual inspection. High efficacy luminaire types are typically recognizable and distinct from non-high efficacy luminaire types. JA8-certified luminaires and removable JA8-certified lamps must be marked with a label reading “JA8-2016” or "JA8-2016-E." The "JA8-2016-E" marking indicates those products which meet the JA8 elevated temperature requirement and are suitable for elevated temperature applications such as in enclosed fixtures or recessed downlights.
B. Confirm All Required Controls Are Installed and Functioning
Inspectors should verify that all controls are installed and functioning.
At least one luminaire in each of the following spaces must be controlled with a vacancy controls:
•Bathrooms
•Utility Rooms
•Laundry Rooms
•Garages
Dimmers or vacancy controls must control all luminaires using JA8-certified light sources.
C. Confirm Any Applicable Outdoor and Nonresidential Lighting Standards
Inspectors should verify that all outdoor lighting attached to the residence or to other buildings on the same lot are high efficacy, and are controlled by a manual ON and OFF switch and by photocell and motion sensor and one of the following automatic control types:
1. Photocontrol AND automatic time switch control.
2. Astronomical time clock controls that automatically turns the outdoor lighting off during daylight hours.
3. Energy management control system (EMCS) that functions as an astronomical time clock, does not have an override or bypass switch that allows the luminaire to be always ON, and is programmed to automatically turn the outdoor lighting off during daylight hours.
Manual ON and OFF switches must not override the automatic control functions listed above, and any control that overrides the automatic controls to ON must automatically reactivate those controls within six hours.
Lighting that is not permanently attached to a building on a single-family site, such as decorative landscape lighting, is not regulated by the residential lighting requirements.
Inspectors should also verify compliance with any applicable nonresidential common area or outdoor lighting requirements. More information on nonresidential lighting requirements can be found in the Nonresidential Compliance Manual Chapter 5 and 6.
D. Inspections for Ceiling Recessed Downlight Luminaires
Recessed downlight luminaires must be IC rated and have a gasket or caulking between the housing and ceiling to prevent the flow of heated or cooled air between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
Luminaire must include a label certifying airtight or similar designation to show air leakage less than 2.0 CFM at 75 Pascals when tested in accordance with ASTM E283. The label must be clearly visible for the building inspector. The building inspector may verify the IC and ASTM E283 labels during rough inspection. If verified at final inspection, the building inspector may have to remove the trim kit to see the labels.
The ASTM E283 certification is a laboratory procedure intended to measure only leakage of the luminaire housing or, if applicable, of an airtight trim kit, and not the installation. Luminaire housings labeled as airtight, airtight ready, or other airtight designation do not establish that a luminaire has been installed airtight. The luminaire manufacturer shall provide instructions that explain the entire assembly required to achieve an airtight installation.
There are different methods used by manufacturers to meet the airtight standards. These methods include the use of caulk, or use of gaskets to reduce air leakage at the luminaire housing. The residential lighting requirements do not favor one airtight method over another.
Because luminaire housing is not always installed perfectly parallel to the ceiling surface, both methods have their benefits as follows:
1. Caulk will generally fill in and seal wide and uneven gaps. However, after the caulk dries, it may permanently attach the luminaire housing or trim to the ceiling surface. Therefore, the caulk may need to be cut away from the ceiling surface in the event that a luminaire housing or trim needs to be moved away from the ceiling.
2. Many gaskets allow the luminaire housing or trim to be readily moved away from the ceiling surface after it has been installed. However, if the gasket is too thin, or not made out of an air stopping type of material, it may not sufficiently reduce the air flow between the conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Although the Standards do not specify the type of material needed for a gasket, it is likely that an open cell type of foam, particularly if the gasket is relatively thin, will not create an airtight barrier.
The primary intent is to install a certified airtight luminaire so that it is sufficiently airtight to prevent the flow of heated or cooled air between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. All air leak paths through the luminaire assembly or through the ceiling opening must be sealed. Leak paths in the installation assembly that are not part of the ASTM E283 testing must be sealed with either a gasket or caulk.
The process for verifying an airtight installation:
1. Manufacturer specifications (a "cut sheet") of the certified airtight luminaire housing(s) and installation instructions are made available with the plans to show all components of the assembly that will be necessary to ensure there is an airtight installation consistent with §150.0(k)1C. This allows the building inspector to know what method the luminaire manufacturer specifies to achieve airtight installation, and to determine what phase of construction the building inspector should inspect the luminaire for airtight compliance.
2. One of the following primary methods is specified by the luminaire manufacturer to ensure an airtight seal of the certified airtight housing to the ceiling:
a. A gasket is attached to the bottom of the certified airtight housing prior to the installation of the ceiling (i.e., drywall or other ceiling materials) to create an airtight seal. The gasket may be preinstalled at the factory, or may need to be field installed. For field installed gaskets, instructions on how the gasket is to be attached shall be provided by the manufacturer. The luminaire shall be installed so that the gasket will be sufficiently compressed by the ceiling when the ceiling is installed. A gasket that is too thin will not provide an airtight seal.
b. A gasket is applied between the certified airtight housing and the ceiling opening after the ceiling has been installed. The gasket creates the airtight seal. The cut sheet and installation instructions for achieving the airtight conditions shall indicate how the gasket is to be attached.
c. Caulk is applied between the certified airtight housing and the ceiling after the ceiling has been installed. The caulk creates the airtight seal. The cut sheet or installation instructions for achieving the airtight conditions shall specify the type of caulk that must be used and how the caulk shall be applied.
d. A certified airtight trim kit is attached to the housing after the ceiling has been installed. The certified airtight trim kit in combination with the luminaire housing makes the manufactured luminaire airtight. Note that a decorative luminaire trim that is not ASTM E283 certified does not make the manufactured luminaire airtight. Most decorative luminaire trims are not designed to make a luminaire airtight. Rather, these trims are used to provide a finished look between the ceiling and luminaire housing, and may include a reflector, baffle, and/or lens. However, some trim kits are specifically designed to be a critical component used to make a luminaire installation airtight. These trim kits shall be certified airtight in accordance with ASTM E283. Certified airtight trim kits typically consist of a one-piece lamp-holder, reflector cone, and baffle. The cut sheet and installation instructions for achieving the airtight conditions shall show which certified airtight trim kits are designed to be installed with the luminaire housing, and how the certified airtight trim kits shall be attached. A gasket shall be installed between the certified airtight trim kit and the ceiling.
3. The following methods for ensuring an airtight seal between the certified airtight housing or certified airtight trim and the ceiling shall be field verified at different phases during construction:
a. A gasket attached to the bottom of the certified airtight housing shall be inspected prior to the installation of the ceiling when the rough-in electrical work is visible. The inspector shall review the cut sheet or installation instructions to make sure the housing and gasket have been installed correctly. All gaskets shall be permanently in place at the time of inspection. It is important that once the ceiling material is installed, the gasket will be in continuous, compressed contact with the backside of the ceiling and that the housing is attached securely to avoid vertical movement. The housing shall be installed on a plane that is parallel to the ceiling plane to assure continuous compression of the gasket.
b. A gasket applied between the certified airtight housing and the ceiling after the ceiling has been installed shall be inspected after the installation of the ceiling. The inspector shall review the cut sheet or installation instructions to make sure the housing and gasket have been installed correctly. The gasket shall be permanently in place at the time of inspection. It is important that the gasket is in continuous, compressed contact with the ceiling, and that the housing is attached securely to avoid vertical movement.
c. Caulk applied between the certified airtight housing and the ceiling after the ceiling has been installed shall be inspected after the installation of the ceiling. The inspector shall review the cut sheet or installation instructions to make sure the housing has been installed correctly and the caulk has been applied correctly. It is important that the housing is attached securely to avoid vertical movement.
d. A certified airtight trim kit shall be inspected after the installation of the ceiling and the installation of the trim. The inspector shall review the cut sheet or installation instructions to make sure the luminaire housing and the certified airtight trim kit have been installed correctly. It is important that the housing and the certified airtight trim kit are attached securely to avoid vertical movement. The ASTM E283 certification is a laboratory procedure where the trim kit is tested on a smooth mounting surface. However, it is common for certified airtight trim kits to be installed against a textured ceiling or other irregular ceiling surface. It is important that the gasket is in continuous, compressed contact with the ceiling and the certified airtight trim kit. Therefore, it is important to visually inspect the certified airtight trim kit and gasket next to the ceiling to assure that a continuous seal has been produced. Certified airtight trim kits may be installed on luminaire housings that may or may not be certified airtight. If the trim kit is certified airtight, it shall also have a sealed gasket between the trim kit and ceiling