Recessed lighting fixtures manufactured in China may pose a fire hazard due to a poorly made lamp holder within the fixture, according to the Irvine, CA based law firm of Kasdan Simonds Weber & Vaughan.
Ken Kasdan, the firm’s senior partner, said the problem was discovered by his firm when it was investigating construction problems in a high-rise condominium project. The Kasdan Simonds firm represents property owners in construction defect cases in California and Arizona.
Kasdan said that during inspection of the condominium units, lawyers found deterioration of insulation on wiring of the ceramic lamp holders that are part of the recessed lighting fixtures. “It appears that due to poorly designed and poorly made lamp holder assemblies, the wires are overheating within the lighting fixtures, which we believe could result in a fire,” Kasdan said. “Since these are recessed lighting fixtures, the defects are hidden from view and could get increasingly more dangerous without the occupants even being aware there is a problem.”
The lighting fixture used in the condominiums is “Intense Model IV4SE,” of which about half of the fixtures inspected in the condominiums showed signs of deterioration, Kasdan said, and pointed out that the fixtures were less than two years old. “We have no way of knowing how many other lighting fixtures manufactured in China are defective and potentially dangerous,” Kasdan said. “But based on previously reported problems with products made in China such as toys and drywall, this defect could be extensive and more importantly, it’s very difficult if not almost impossible to detect.”
The Kasdan Simonds law firm has offices in Irvine and Walnut Creek and Phoenix, AZ. The firm represents plaintiffs in major construction defect litigation. For more detailed information on the firm, visit www.kasdansimonds.com.
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