You have just bought your dream Condominium but one of the problems is typically lighting or usually lack the of. The urge to upgrade the kitchen is over whelming but now lighting has suddenly become the issue.
What to do, and how to solve the issue.
Firstly check with your strata and confirm if they will allow the up grade. Typically an electrical permit will be required and lighting is usually required to be installed by a licensed Electrician (as per strata requirements).
When condominiums are originally built each unit must be totally separated by a fire wall. This is achieved by installing 5/8 inch fire rated drywall on the ceilings and the adjoining walls to other units. By installing pot lights in the ceiling, you have now broken the continuous fire barrier.
How to overcome this situation:
The way to maintain the continuous fire barrier is to install and construct a separate 5 sided fire box within the ceiling joists. The box must be made from 5/8 inch fire rated drywall, total sealed with either drywall compound at the corners or fire rated caulk and flush with the bottom edge of the ceiling /floor joists.
Then install an “IC” “ (Insulated Can) pot light housing. All electrical wires that that enter the box must also be sealed with fire rated caulk. Then simply install the 5/8 inch ceiling drywall over the pot lights housing/firebox, cutting out the holes for the light section.
Now you have a continuous fire separation.
This is typically what is required by building inspectors to fully conform to local code requirements.
This type of installation is usually only required when the drywall is installed directly onto the ceiling/floor joists.
Some condo’s will have a dropped ceiling in the kitchen ,usually in a bathroom. When this type of ceiling exists, usually there is an additional layer of drywall above the dropped ceiling and attached to the above floor joists.
A sealed firebox is not required as the ceiling above provides the fire barrier.
For any questions about this type of installation feel free to contact me.
Darryl Bailey.RHI.; Licensed Home Inspector, Licensed contractor.
AusCan Home Inspections.
www.auscanhomeinspections.com auscanhomeinspections@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing this. Right, there's no source of light when you are in condo. The only choice is your florescent or bulb. But, adding this pot light is not in a condo? In the Florence Mckinley hill don't allow the unit owner to something without their permission.
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