Home Automation Lighting By Revlite - Plaster Frames

New Construction

Revlite plaster frames meet four principle applications and requirements:

Non-IC (non-insulation contact): NIC
IC, Non-Airtight: ICNA
IC, Reduced Airflow: ICRA
IC, Ultra-Airtight: ICUA

Non IC

This style is permitted in ceilings where no insulation is in contact with the downlight, and no other municipal or state laws 1 imposes additional requirements. This typically consists of a steel tray commonly known as a plaster frame or tray, which rests on the same plane as what will become the top side of the ceiling, in which a hole through the plaster frame and ceiling permits the installation of the downlig ht. The hole size (and shape) is customized to suit the luminaire size(s).

Alternately, a plaster frame containing an adjustable round or square hole may be employed.

Fig 2, Bladed

Other common mechanical components in such an assembly include a junction box & junction box covers (for use as the wiring compartment), and bar hangers (used to suspend the assembly before the ceiling is installed). The plaster frame may also contain the ability to permit vertical adjust in order to raise it above the top side of the ceiling.

IC, Non-Airtight

When there is insulation in the ceiling, the top side of the luminaire (plaster frame assembly) must be enclosed by a metal barrier or enclosure, commonly known as an IC box. If there are no municipal or state laws 1 that imposed airflow restrictions, the enclosure need not be airtight.

IC, Non-Airtight

IC, Reduced Airflow /Chicago Plenum

When there is insulation in the ceiling, and municipal or state laws 1 impose heat retention or airflow restrictions, the luminaire must be enclosed by a metal barrier or enclosure (IC Box) that suitably reduces airflow.

Fig 4

Though UL1598 is the principle specification governing luminaires, additional institutional, municipal, and/or state laws can impose further requirements, thus there is unfortunately no absolute national standard For example, the Construction Requirements for the City of Chicago Environmental Air Spaces (CCEA) impose requirements that the IC Box must have amongst other requirements, no open holes, which is often referred to as the “ Chicago holes, which is often referred to as the “ Chicago Plenum Act” or “ Chicago Plenum boxes”.

Chicago plenum

Both Revlite’s Reduced Airflow & Ultra airtight IC Boxes ha ve been used as a basis to meet what is commonly referred as “Chicago plenum” rated luminaires.

Though there is no specific airflow metric in this specification, the mechanical aspects of this specification in part, require;

Luminaire & wiring compartments to be sealed off and gasketed or otherwise have no openings.
Unused screw openings shall be closed by use of metallic screws, rivets, sealant or equivalent.
All seams or joints are to be tight and overlapping or shall be additionally gasketed or sealed.
Junction boxes and covers shall have no holes, and all covers that open into the ceiling space shall be gasketed.
All knockouts shall be of the “flush” or “press back” type.

For complete requirements, consult the specification; Section 18 27 300.22(c) of the city of Chicago Electrical Code. Once the complete assembly has been tested & listed to the applicable specification, the Recessed Luminaire is eligible for the marking, “CCEA” (City of Chicago Environmental Air other than Ducts and Plenums).

IC, Ultra Airtight

When there is insulation in the ceiling, and municipal or state laws impose heat retention or specific airflow restrictions, (e.g. < 2 cfm under pressure (vacuum) of 1.57lbs/ft², ref. Florida Building Code Chapter 13 “Florida Energy Efficiency for Building Construction”, section 13 606.1.ABC.1.2.4 Recessed lighting fixtures), the luminaire must be enclosed by a metal barrier or enclosure (IC Box) that restricts airflow to the applicable specification(s).

Fig5