Electric Lighting Products Guidelines

OMB Control Number 3041-0029

Investigation Guideline

Appendix 125
January 2003

Electrical Lighting Products
I.

Introduction
A.

Background Information

In 1998, light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs were collectively associated with an
estimated 60 deaths and an estimated 250 injuries. In 1999, 5 percent of all consumer
product-related electrocutions were associated with lighting equipment.
We are specifically interested in malfunctions of lighting products that result in fires,
potential fire hazards, and/or shock hazards. The purpose of the investigations is to
identify the mode of failure in each scenario, and better understand how they relate to the
severity of the accident and the associated casualties.
In addition to filling out the Data Record Sheet (DRS) attached to the back, please
provide any relevant information that is discovered in the investigation process that may
not have been specifically requested for in this guideline or the DRS.
B.

Product Information

1.

General Description

The major components associated with lighting equipment are the bulb (also referred to
as the lamp), the fixture, the lampholder, and the switch. Portable lighting products will
have a power-supply cord and plug. The connection is an important component for fixed
lighting products which will usually be directly connected to the branch circuit wiring;
some may have a power-supply cord and plug.
•Bulb: The most common types of bulbs available in the market are incandescent,
fluorescent, and halogen. Some high intensity discharge bulbs such as high-pressure
sodium bulbs, mercury bulbs, and metal halide bulbs may also be encountered, especially
in outdoor lighting.
•Fixture: The majority of the fixtures are either portable or permanent. Portable fixtures
include table, desk, and floor lamps, and nightlights. Most trouble lights and workshop
lights are also portable. Permanent fixtures include hanging, surface mounted, or
recessed lighting products that fit on ceilings, walls, furniture (e.g. under bookcase
1

Investigation Guideline
shelves, inside china cabinets, on headboards, etc.), or appliances. Track lights and
under-the-counter lighting products are usually permanent fixtures. Diagrams of sample
installations (surface mounted or recessed) are attached to the back of this guideline.
•Lampholder: The lampholder is the part of the fixture that holds the bulb. Different
types of bulbs require different lampholders to work properly. The screw shell type
lampholder is probably the most common. Other lampholders include the brackets that
hold fluorescent tubes and/or halogen bulbs.
•Cord: Lighting products that use plug-in cords may be used with extension cords. In
such cases, information on the condition, length, and gauge of both the original and the
extension cords is useful. See Appendix 8, guideline on Extension Cords.
•Switch: Many types of switches could be encountered with both portable and permanent
lighting fixtures. Some of the more common types are the simple on/off switch, the
dimmer switch, and the touch switch. Permanent lighting fixtures may have multiple
switches and they may not be on the fixture. Some portable lighting fixtures may be
plugged into a switched electrical outlet. In this case, the switch would be on the wall.
•Connection: The wire connection is an important component of the permanent lighting
products. Connections are often made with twist-on connectors, push-in connectors, or
crimps, as shown below.
Twist-on connector

C.

Push-in connector

Crimps

Specific Items of Interest

•We are particularly interested in the mode of failure. We want to know if it was the
bulb, the fixture, the lampholder, the cord, the switch, or the connection that was the
primary source of failure.
•We are also very interested in any labeling on the product. For instance, the “IC”
marking on a fixture indicates that the product is designed for use on an insulated ceiling.
So whenever an insulated ceiling is present, we are interested in knowing if the product is
marked “IC”.
2

Investigation Guideline
D.

Headquarters Contact

Risana Chowdhury, EPHA, 301-504-7334
Linda Smith, EPHA, 301-504-7310
II.

Instructions for Collecting Information
A. Description of the Incident Environment
•Use the following product codes on Form 182 for identification purposes:
0628: Electric chandeliers, hanging lamps, and other attached fixtures
4070:Floor or table lamps, halogen
4071:Floor or table lamps, electric (excluding halogen)
0627:Light bulbs
1533:Nightlights
1452: Outdoor electric lighting equipment
0877:Trouble lights or extension worklights
4039:Other electric lighting equipment
4041:Electric lighting equipment, not specified
4042:Lighting equipment, not specified
In the synopsis of the report, please use the word lighting to ease the computer-based
data retrieval process.
•Pre-incident: Include in this portion of the narrative a description of the circumstances
that led up to the incident.
•Incident: Describe in the narrative how the incident happened with supporting facts.
•Post-incident: Describe in the narrative the deaths, injuries, the type of treatment
administered, and extent of property damage. Describe the current condition of the
lighting product in question.
B. Description of Injured Persons and Product Interaction
Describe any experience or knowledge the victim(s) had of the product and the hazards
involved. If applicable, indicate if any instruction manual was included with the
purchase of the product and if the victim(s) had read and understood the instructions.
C. Description of Product
•Describe the type of bulb involved in the incident (incandescent, fluorescent,
halogen, etc.).
3

Investigation Guideline
•Specify the number of bulbs and the wattage of each bulb in fixture.
•Indicate the type of fixture as to whether it was portable (such as lamps, nightlights or
work lights) or permanent (hanging, recessed or surface mounted on ceiling, wall,
furniture, or appliance).
•If the fixture has a shade or cover, describe what type (e.g. bulb completely enclosed,
bulb partially enclosed space below/open above, etc.) Include a sketch.
•If there is a power-supply cord, describe the type of plug (2-pronged (one prong wider
or not), 3-pronged, adapter attached, etc.).
•If there is a power-supply cord, indicate if an extension cord was used; if yes, specify
length. Specify all markings on the original and extension cords.
•Describe product characteristics (length, size, dimensions, volts, amps, watts, UL or
other certification of performance with specific standards, etc.).
• Specify all wording of UL or other label(s) on product.
•Specify the age of the product, the date of purchase, or how long the consumer owned
the product.
•List manufacturer name, brand name and model/series number.
•Specify product history e.g., previous problems, alterations, or modifications, repairs
(include dates(s), type of repair(s) and by whom repaired).
•Indicate how long the product was in use immediately before the incident on that day.
•If a permanent lighting equipment, determine whether the fixture was installed when the
house was built, a replacement for older fixture, or added after the house was built, and
who installed it.
•If part of outdoor lighting, indicate weather conditions (such as temperature, humidity,
and presence of any precipitation) at the time of the incident.
•Good photographs of the product will be very helpful.
D. Description of Injured Persons
Indicate the age and sex of all injured person(s). Indicate the severity of each injury
(death, hospitalization, treated and released). Also indicate whether any competence
4

Investigation Guideline
reducing factors such as impaired vision, physical handicaps, medication, alcohol/drugs,
etc. existed at the time of the incident.

E. Description of environment
The following information will be relevant for fixed lighting equipment :
•Describe installation of fixture, the type of ceiling, wall or furniture surface and
ventilation.
•If fixture was surface mounted, indicate whether the junction box (a metal or
plastic box that encloses the connection of two or more wires) was above or
below ceiling level or within wall space.
•Specify if there was any type of thermal insulation over, near, or surrounding the
fixture. If yes, describe type and distance from fixture.
•Specify when the insulation was installed.
•If either recessed or surface-mounted fixture, specify if the electrical junction
box was framed-in or contained a barrier to provide separation from any
insulation.
•Describe the location of on-off switch.
The following information will be relevant for all lighting equipment:
•Specify wire size, material, and voltage of electrical circuit.
•Specify size, type, and manufacturer of circuit protection (fuse or circuit
breaker).
•Specify if branch overcurrent protective device operated to shut off the current in
the circuit at time of incident.
•If a shock incident, indicate if a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) was
present on the branch circuit or outlet, and whether it shut off the current at the
time of the incident. If GFCI did not shut off the current, indicate its age,
manufacturer, model number, etc. of GFCI.
F. Other
•Specify if product was repaired or replaced after the incident.
5

Investigation Guideline
•Talk to repairman about failure cause.
•In fire incidents, indicate first material to ignite, if observed. Indicate the presence of
any flammable objects in the vicinity.
•For fire incidents, specify estimated property damage (if known) including fire spread
and dollar loss. Indicate the dwelling type, floor and room of incident.
•For fire incidents, indicate if smoke detectors were present. Did they help in
recognition of the fire? Indicate if water sprinklers were present.

III.

Instruction for Photographing and/or Diagramming Incident Scene and Factors
Related to the Incident Sequence
•A diagram or photograph of installation is particularly useful. Good photographs of the
product and/or the incident scene are always helpful.

IV.

Instruction for Obtaining Samples and Documents Related to Investigation
•Collect sample if available, keeping the sample as undisturbed as possible; if sample is
unavailable, describe similar products at incident site. Record observation of their
appearance related to the failed unit.
•When collecting sample, collect the entire fixture, including the bulb(s) and the shade.
If it appears that the incident may have occurred at the junction box, collect the entire
junction box plus 1 or 2 feet of the branch wiring without disturbing the connection
inside the junction box. If it is a plug-in type of fixture and it appears that the incident
occurred at the receptacle, collect the receptacle as well.
If the power is turned on at the incident scene, an electrician should disassemble the
sample. If the power is off, it is up to the investigator to decide how comfortable he/she
feels about disassembling the sample without disturbing it too much. If unsure, it is
always better to seek the help of an electrician.
•Specify if fire service was summoned and obtain copies of any fire, repair, or insurance
company reports that are available. Also obtain any/all photos taken by the fire service or
insurance company.
•Include copies of any installation instructions or product information inserts.

6

Investigation Guideline
Data Record Sheet for Electrical Lighting Products
1. Task no:_________________ 2. Hazard type: Fire / Smoke / Electric Shock
3. Product codes:
4. Portability of product: Portable (e.g. lamps, nightlight, work light)
Permanent (mounted on walls, ceilings, furniture, or appliances)
If portable product was involved, answer items a. through i. below:
a. Type of product: table, desk, or floor lamp / nightlight / trouble or work light /
other(specify)

b. Type of bulb: incandescent / fluorescent / halogen / high-pressure sodium
bulb/mercury bulb / metal halide bulb / other (specify)
watts_________ amps___________ volts___________
c. Switch: yes ______ no_______ Location?
d. Type of plug: 2-pronged (polarized or non-polarized) / 3-pronged / adapter attached /
other (specify)
f. Primary source of failure: bulb / fixture / cord / extension cord / plug
g. How failure occurred?

h. Rating of power-supply cord: wire gauge_______AWG
voltage________
i. If extension cord was used i. length of extension cord_________
ii. rating of cord: ______ AWG
______ volts
If permanent or fixed lighting product was involved, then answer items a. through f. below:
a. Type of product: i. hanging / mounted /other (specify)
ii. on wall / ceiling / furniture / appliance / other (specify)
iii. recessed / surface mounted
7

Investigation Guideline

b. Type of bulb: incandescent / fluorescent / halogen / high-pressure sodium
bulb/mercury bulb / metal halide bulb / other (specify)
watts_________ amps___________ volts___________
c. Type of switch: (.e.g. on-off / dimmer / touch)
watts__________ voltage__________ amps________
If applicable, cord and plug information
d. If applicable, information on home wiring: wire gauge_______AWG
voltage________volts
e. Primary source of failure: bulb / fixture / switch / connections / wiring
f. How failure occurred:

The rest of the information will be relevant for all lighting products.
5. Manufacturer

6. Brand or model

7. Age of product

8. Product obtained new or used (if applicable)

9. UL or any other listings certifications

10. Time in use just prior to accident

11. At the time of incident: switches on / off? circuit -breaker tripped?

12. Previous problem history?

13. Product previously repaired?
8

Investigation Guideline

9