Okay, I have to admit, this is not a blog about the supermarket or department store.  But it is about something I find quite often in attics.  It has to do with older "canned" recessed lighting.  Look at the picture below:

The picture is of the older canned lighting in the attic.  If you look on the white can, just above the metal box in the picture, you can barely see a white label with red letters.  The label generally reads something to the effect of, "Warning, risk of fire, 3-inch minimum clearance needed to combustibles."  Of course "combustibles" refers to anything that can catch on fire, insulation being one of those.  So there needs to be a minimum 3-inch distance between the canned lighting and the insulation.  The reason for the clearance is that the older canned lighting can generate a lot of heat.

So the danger is real, but the solution is easy.  Crawl up in the attic and move the insulation at least 3-inches away from the light.  If the insulation looks like it might fall back towards the light, then add a sheet of metal to act as a barrier.  So there you go, and hence the title, "Clearance, Cans on Isle 3."

I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection and its value.  Be safe out there.

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection

(c) 2009 Joseph Lang dba Pillar To Post

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