IC Recessed Lighting Vapour Barrier

[Robby]

This question relates to a new house, currently in the rough wiring stage.

It looks like my self-fabricated 6-mil poly IC recessed fixture vapour barrier enclosures didn't cut it at my rough wiring inspection. "...shall have 90 degree C rating..." (Fortunately everything else went well.) Unfortunately, I couldn't find any data regarding the temp. rating of 6-mil poly so I can't forward that to the ESA for reconsideration.

I did at one time see the pre-made 90C rated "ugly" vapour barrier enclosures at the local Rona, but I didn't want to use them because they were so much bigger than the IC box itself (lots of open space around it which will not be insulated in the cathedral ceiling) and they cost about $7 each (26 IC recessed total in my house $200 alone for these things)

Is there anything else that I could use to fabricate what I need? Like thicker poly? or some other higher temperature rated sheet product which the insulation and VB inspector won't reject?

Thank you.

[mdshunk]

Too bad you didn't post before you bought the fixtures. There are commercially available fixtures that are already assembled as a big "box" that is a preinsulated and pre vapor barred assembly. They even have a gasket for the trim to seal up that area too. You just tape on the poly sheeting that's covering the rest of the room to the edges of this recessed light assembly. As far as doing the vapor barrier for regular cans, the "ugly" ones you speak of are the only things that I know about. Often they are heavy pink plastic and are like a big dome with edges to tape to the poly.

[Wgoodrich]

Guess this confirms you get what you pay for. The lights bought may be less expensive when bought but when properly sealed as you are trying to do you find you spent more money than if you had bought the presealed insulated box type recessed tanks being more expensive on the original purchase but less expensive when all said and done copared to the extra cost needed to doing the same sealing after buying the less expensive light. Kind of like gotcha whichever light you buy. End price the same comparing the two type recessed fixtures being discussed.

Having fun yet?

Wg

[Unregistered]

I have a related question...

Commercial Electric makes some nice 6" I/C housings in contractor packs, but their 5" is non-IC. As well, there are some visually appealing 4" pots branded "Bazz" (I think it's a Euroface product). Now at Home Depot they sell these 4" pots with alum. housings designed for placing these pots in an insulated ceiling. These housings are about the same price as the pot its self, driving up the cost signifigantly.

Having said that, can anyone cite some CEC rule requiring the need for these housings? I'm thinking of just building a frame around the fixture out of drywall and some strapping, and I'm not sure if this is allowed or not.

TIA for any info.

[brown]

I made the mistake of having someone install Non-IC recessed lights in my insulated attic. At the time I was not advised of the difference between IC and Non-IC.

Well as you can imagine the room is cold where the Non-IC lights are now that it is winter.

I'm wondering two things:

1. Is there any easy way to insulate these things. For example can I put some wire meshing around the recessed lights to maintain the 2-3" space, then put a vapour cover over top of the mesh, then insulation on top of everything


2 Or should I just start all over and have someone install IC units, then the vapour barrier, then insulation on top.

Thanks for your help

[mwildish]

I contacted the manufacturer of Super Six (Alros) vapour barrier and they indicated that it is rated for 90 degrees celsius. Different stores have different manufacturers. I got mine at home depot. If you know the manufacturer just ask them.

[luckyluckxx]

LOL

WBR,
Alex

[electricguy]

I have a related question...

Commercial Electric makes some nice 6" I/C housings in contractor packs, but their 5" is non-IC. As well, there are some visually appealing 4" pots branded "Bazz" (I think it's a Euroface product). Now at Home Depot they sell these 4" pots with alum. housings designed for placing these pots in an insulated ceiling. These housings are about the same price as the pot its self, driving up the cost signifigantly.

Having said that, can anyone cite some CEC rule requiring the need for these housings? I'm thinking of just building a frame around the fixture out of drywall and some strapping, and I'm not sure if this is allowed or not.

TIA for any info.

This is a national Building code requirement FYI

[slimjim]

I checked with the manufacturer of my 6 mil poly (Duchesne, Que) and they confirmed that their poly does not begin to even soften (which comes much sooner than melting) until 121 degrees C. They validated that their poly can be in contact with a IC recessed lighting box, which are usually rated to be < 90 deg C contact.

That being said, my local building inspector also approved usage of 6 mil poly in contact with the IC box. (In Whitby, ON)

Seems that the excessively large blue boxes are not required, but if you want to be sure, contact local building authorities, and check with your manufacturer of the poly.

Note: Proper 6 mil poly for vapour barrier conforms to very specific codes per Duchesne's site:

What is the difference between multipurpose polyethylene film and the ULTRA + vapour barrier?

Multipurpose polyethylene film is used for various jobs such as protecting surfaces and furniture while sanding and painting, building temporary shelters, doing garden work, etc. The ULTRA + polyethylene vapour barrier, manufactured in compliance with CAN/CGSB51.34-M86 standard, is used in walls to create a continuous, impermeable barrier to protect building insulation. Many manufacturing specifications are imposed to assure users a uniform, high-performing product. For example, a UV stabilizer and an antioxydant (preservative agent) are added to ULTRA + Vapour barrier to keep sun light and heat from degrading the film. This treatment also increases product resistance to cracks. These types of additives give the ULTRA + Vapour barrier a much longer life-span than the multipurpose polyethylene film.

[lightguy]

There is another new option. My company will be offering 12V 20W max. IC Air Tight cans that are only 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" in height (SL1220-55, SL1220-60) The fixtures are so low in height that they don't break the vapour barrier (assuming you used strapping in the ceiling construction). They will be available in approx. 6 weeks.

There is a video on our website of their installation and it shows how they fit under the vapour barrier.

http://twicebright.com/Eng-Install.html - movie
http://twicebright.com - main page