410.116(C) Installation in Fire-Resistant Construction.
Code Change Summary: New code section on installing luminaires in fire-resistant construction.
In the 2017 NEC®, Section 410.115(B) provided a few temperature requirements found in UL 1598 for luminaires installed in fire-resistant rated construction. The requirements were vague and on the level of a UL engineer rather than language for an installer or inspector. The main goal is to make sure the luminaire is listed and used in accordance with any instructions included in its listing. The electrician or inspector should not have to get involved with the temperature ratings of the luminaire; that’s the job of the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
In the 2020 NEC®, the code language from 410.115(B) was reworded and relocated to 410.116(C). The new list format makes it easy for the installer or inspector to know what they should be looking for.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
410.115(B) Fire-Resistant Construction. Where a luminaire is recessed in fire-resistant material in a building of fire-resistant construction, a temperature higher than 90°C (194°F) but not higher than 150°C (302°F) shall be considered acceptable if the luminaire is plainly marked for that service.
2020 Code Language:
410.116(C) Installation in Fire-Resistant Construction. Luminaires marked “FOR USE IN NON-FIRE-RATED INSTALLATIONS” shall not be used in fire-rated installations. Where a luminaire is recessed in fire-resistant material in a building of fire-resistant construction, the recessed luminaire shall satisfy one of the following:
(1) The recessed luminaire shall be listed for use in a fire resistance–rated construction.
(2) The recessed luminaire shall be installed in or used with a luminaire enclosure that is listed for use in a fire resistance–rated construction.
(3) The recessed luminaire shall be listed and shall be installed in accordance with a tested fire resistance–rated assembly. When a tested fire resistance–rated assembly allows the installation of a recessed fluorescent luminaire, a recessed LED luminaire of comparable construction shall be permitted.