Fire rated recessed lights?

Location
San Diego
Occupation
Electrical contractor
I am wiring a single family home and the downstairs part of the house I used standard recessed lights. The inspector said I needed to use fire rated recessed lights on the downstairs of a single family residence. Am I mistaken I thought it was only multi family with a separate unit above. Does anyone know where to find the code on this from the NEC. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Dustin
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
I've never heard of that within the same dwelling except for living space over a garage. It's not in the NEC.
 

curt swartz

Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
Location
San Jose, CA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Are there fire rated self closing doors closing off each level from the staircase? If not it doesn't do much good to have a rated ceiling when the fire will just go around and up the stairs.
 
Location
San Diego
Occupation
Electrical contractor
Are there fire rated self closing doors closing off each level from the staircase? If not it doesn't do much good to have a rated ceiling when the fire will just go around and up the stairs.
No the ceiling in the area he says I need fire rated lights in is not even fire rated Only (1) layer of drywall
 

darekelec

Senior Member
Location
nyc
A while ago I heard building inspector failed recess incandescent lights close to wooden studs. He found it to be fire hazard. Contractor had to build Sheetrock boxes.
 

ramsy

Roger Ruhle dba NoFixNoPay
Location
LA basin, CA
Occupation
Service Electrician 2020 NEC
A while ago I heard building inspector failed recess incandescent lights close to wooden studs. He found it to be fire hazard. Contractor had to build Sheetrock boxes.
Here's a remodel hazards in need of inspection
Beam can.jpg
 
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