Something Bugging Me

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Quanmeg

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New Orleans
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Director of Construction
Here is an interesting issue that seems to be a flaw in UL ratings and the NEC.

This one really bugs me:

UL labels light fixtures for use in dry locations, damp locations or wet locations with apparently no concern other than moisture for the suitability for a fixture to be used outdoors.

A damp rated fixture can theoretically be installed in an exterior location that is protected from rain but often a damp rated fixture will have an open globe and be completely unsuitable for exterior use because the fixture globe fills with bugs.
It seems that UL and the NEC have a focus on water and no concern about the bug issue and that under the codes and the labeling it is completely legitimate to specify and install a completely unsuitable fixture in an outdoor location as long as it is protected from rain.

Your thoughts??
 
So...
your wanting a light listed for no bug intrusion, some bug intrusion, and all bug intrusion?
Ladybugs are a real problem here in the south when it gets cold. It’s actually really hard to keep them out. They end up in light fixtures in many houses. Not to mention many other types of bugs..
 
No, I just think it is stupid that a completely inappropriate light fixture can be installed outdoors with the blessing of UL and NEC and that they are blind to anything other than water.
I think the listing should include a interior or exterior designation for wet and damp location lights.
 
Quanmeg said:
No, I just think it is stupid that a completely inappropriate light fixture can be installed outdoors with the blessing of UL and NEC and that they are blind to anything other than water.
I think the listing should include a interior or exterior designation for wet and damp location lights.
Click to expand...
You can submit a proposal to UL for the standard that applies to the fixtures in question.
 
petersonra said:
Product standards are mostly about product safety. Getting some bugs in a globe is not really a safety issue.
Click to expand...
I think there are a lot of things about the fixtures that could be considered a safety issue. In the particular instance I am referring to; the fixtures are installed in an open corridor of an apartment building. The fixtures provide adequate light for exiting when the fixtures are clean, but within a matter of days enough bugs accumulate in the fixture to obstruct the the lighting below the code required lighting levels.
Fire is potentially a concern, I have seen the bugs smolder, but haven't seen them actually ignite.
Then clearly with the greater number of times maintenance people are going up and down ladders to disassemble and clean the fixtures exposes us to greater chance of injured staff from ladder falls or electrocution. My thoughts are that all fixtures exposed to exterior conditions should have a lens that is either completely sealed or is designed in such a way as to not allow accumulation of bugs and this should be a code or standard requirement.
 
Quanmeg said:
I think there are a lot of things about the fixtures that could be considered a safety issue. In the particular instance I am referring to; the fixtures are installed in an open corridor of an apartment building. The fixtures provide adequate light for exiting when the fixtures are clean, but within a matter of days enough bugs accumulate in the fixture to obstruct the the lighting below the code required lighting levels.
Fire is potentially a concern, I have seen the bugs smolder, but haven't seen them actually ignite.
Then clearly with the greater number of times maintenance people are going up and down ladders to disassemble and clean the fixtures exposes us to greater chance of injured staff from ladder falls or electrocution. My thoughts are that all fixtures exposed to exterior conditions should have a lens that is either completely sealed or is designed in such a way as to not allow accumulation of bugs and this should be a code or standard requirement.
Click to expand...

Inside the globe there’s probably nothing flammable. The bugs could smolder until they’re ash and never start a fire. The concern is even less today with LED lighting operating at significantly lower temps than incandescent.

The reduction in light level is real. My outside lights have more of a problem with bug and bird excrement on the surface than they do with bugs inside. Sealing them won’t help that. Even lights mounted on a ceiling surface get bug goo all over the outside of them. It’s nasty to clean off!
 
And too, it's a design issue. If the architect knew that bugs are an problem he should have specified fixtures that are sealed.

Strangely enough many fixture rated for use in wet locations would be suitable.

-Hal
 
I agree with others, this is not a major concern and if it is, then that specific use case can get classified fixtures to fix the problem. I prefer not to pay an extra cost on 99.9% of future fixtures for .01% of the cases I may be a benefit.
 
Quanmeg said:
No, I just think it is stupid that a completely inappropriate light fixture can be installed outdoors with the blessing of UL and NEC and that they are blind to anything other than water.
Click to expand...
An IP (Ingress Protection) rating concerns solids as well as water.
First number is dust, etc, from 0-6
Second number is water, from 0-8

IP66 or 67 should keep out bugs and be adequate for rain
 
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