Replacement for Flourescent Strip Lights on Small Stage

[stem]

I help look after a property, which includes a small corner stage with curtains at the rear that cover an opening to a store area behind. The curtains have a pelmet constructed from MDF which is fitted with four fluorescent strip lights. During a recent PIR, the tester stated that they posed a fire risk because of their enclosed location and that they could set fire to the curtains and MDF to which they are mounted, and so disconnected them.

These lights are not just decorative, they are a necessary source of additional light and so need to be replaced with something else. The pelmet is approximately 30 cm wide, and there is a 10cm gap between the curtains and the lights.

So I’m looking for safe replacements that can provide a similar level of illumination. For example, are there fittings that do not get hot? or that have the heat generating components (Ballast?) mounted remotely?

A sketch below shows the existing arrangement.

Untitled

• stem
• 31 Jan 2012
• 1

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Any F marked luminaire where that location would have the necessary clearances would be suitable.

Then whoever is doing a PIR (who had no authority to disconnect the lights, BTW) can't say "they could...".

You might also like to get your local Fire Safety officer to advise.

 

[riveralt]

Then whoever is doing a PIR (who had no authority to disconnect the lights, BTW) can't say "they could...".

You cannot say that because you do not know the scope of the PIR - and the OP hasn't stated what the premises are to be used for.
I have done PIR's for insurance companies where there is a specific requirement, as part of the PIR contract, to remove/isolate or make safe anything that is considered to be dangerous - broken/empty/dangerous light fittings is one of them.

You might also like to get your local Fire Safety officer to advise.

This is a good idea although the responsibility for conducting a fire safety risk assessment, if one is required, falls on the owner/operator of the premises. Lighting and drapes are highlighted in the Communities and Local Government guidance notes on this subject as being one of the ignition and fuel sources.
For small and medium places of assembly...
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyrisk7

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You cannot say that because you do not know the scope of the PIR

Is it not in BS 7671?

- and the OP hasn't stated what the premises are to be used for.
I have done PIR's for insurance companies where there is a specific requirement, as part of the PIR contract, to remove/isolate or make safe anything that is considered to be dangerous - broken/empty/dangerous light fittings is one of them.

Then it's not just a PIR.

 

[SUNRAY]

Then whoever is doing a PIR (who had no authority to disconnect the lights, BTW) can't say "they could...".

It's common practice within public entertainment circles or multiple building/departmental companies for 'conditionally' making safe by disconnexion, or minor repair, to be included within the PIR.

 

[riveralt]

You cannot say that because you do not know the scope of the PIR

Is it not in BS 7671?

This is the difference between the practitioners and theorists - see below.

- and the OP hasn't stated what the premises are to be used for.
I have done PIR's for insurance companies where there is a specific requirement, as part of the PIR contract, to remove/isolate or make safe anything that is considered to be dangerous - broken/empty/dangerous light fittings is one of them.

Then it's not just a PIR.

A PIR is contract between the owner of the premises and the person conducting the PIR - the scope of the inspection can be as narrow or expansive as it needs to be to satify the requirements of the customer. It can include make safe or repair or anything else that is agreed and more importantly paid for. A bit like taking your car in for a service and MOT. Anything found in the service that doesn't meet the requirements of the MOT gets brought up to standard. I repeat that you do not know what scope was agreed - so you cannot make that assumption.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

A bit like taking your car in for a service and MOT. Anything found in the service that doesn't meet the requirements of the MOT gets brought up to standard.

But then I wouldn't describe that entire package as an MOT.

 

[stem]

the OP hasn't stated what the premises are to be used for.

Detached small local hall, capacity 200. Entrance hall with doors into main room, toilets and small kitchen (tea, coffee, sandwiches etc., only. No cooking equipment) also off the entrance. There are 150 chairs that can be used separately or fixed together in rows if required. All soft furnishings replaced during refurbishment 3 years ago and meet necessary fire requirements.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So the curtains are made of a fabric with fire retardant?

 

[stem]

I don't know the details, other that they were supplied by a company that specialises in contract seating, soft furnishings for offices, hotels, caravans and motorhomes etc., and that the curtains met the fire regulations at the time. (3 years ago)

 

[SUNRAY]

A bit like taking your car in for a service and MOT. Anything found in the service that doesn't meet the requirements of the MOT gets brought up to standard.

But then I wouldn't describe that entire package as an MOT.

But many people would.
ie: I'm taking my car in for its MOT, can you give me a lift back?
Although its factually incorrect as its booked in for a service and MOT. In exactly the same way as they refer to their Electrolux vacuum cleaner [other makes exist] as a Hoover.

Getting back to the point in case, I assume these lights are on the 'public' side of the curtains and what you describe sounds to me like a very common installation technique and can be seen in all sorts of venues [public and private] across the country, it may simply need a replacement to modern fittings which run cooler. Installing remote control gear, as you mention, would reduce the heat further as long as there's somewhere better for it and lining the inside of the MDF box with a light reflective surface will also help by reflecting heat.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But many people would.
ie: I'm taking my car in for its MOT, can you give me a lift back?

Well if they phoned the garage and booked their car in for an MOT, and didn't also ask for it to be serviced at the same time I don't think they'd have many grounds for complaint if the garage only did the MOT.

In exactly the same way as they refer to their Electrolux vacuum cleaner [other makes exist] as a Hoover.

And in exactly the same way that if they were asking in the Appliances forum for information on the operation or servicing of their vacuum cleaner I'd expect them to get the makers name right.

Getting back to the point in case, I assume these lights are on the 'public' side of the curtains and what you describe sounds to me like a very common installation technique and can be seen in all sorts of venues [public and private] across the country, it may simply need a replacement to modern fittings which run cooler. Installing remote control gear, as you mention, would reduce the heat further as long as there's somewhere better for it and lining the inside of the MDF box with a light reflective surface will also help by reflecting heat.

In the absence of a fault I can't see how an F marked fluorescent luminaire is ever going to set fire to either the MDF pelmet or the curtains.

 

[SUNRAY]

Getting back to the point in case, I assume these lights are on the 'public' side of the curtains and what you describe sounds to me like a very common installation technique and can be seen in all sorts of venues [public and private] across the country, it may simply need a replacement to modern fittings which run cooler. Installing remote control gear, as you mention, would reduce the heat further as long as there's somewhere better for it and lining the inside of the MDF box with a light reflective surface will also help by reflecting heat.

In the absence of a fault I can't see how an F marked fluorescent luminaire is ever going to set fire to either the MDF pelmet or the curtains.

I think your correct.
I was asked to replace some tubes in some 'quick start' fittings a little while back. I didn't bother looking too hard for 8ft bayonet ended tubes. Some recently encountered brand new drop in ceiling grid style fittings get so hot that they cannot be touched [already included in snagging].
Accordingly as I am not aware exactly what the existing fittings are in this threads case, I let my previous comments stand.

 

[stem]

Are "F rated" floursecent strip lights readily available? or are they a special order item? A did a quick search of the internet but it didn't reveal any.