24 August 2008

Energy Safety has said it has no concerns over the safety of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
CFLs are subject to a New Zealand Standard that includes fire safety performance requirements that exceed international guidelines.
There are about 13 million bulbs in use in New Zealand and Energy Safety has received no significant complaints.
The Fire Service's manager of fire investigation and arson reduction, Peter Wilding, says there have been no confirmed structure fires involving them.
'We've added CFLs to our incident reporting system simply to get a better understanding of any issues around them.'
Blackening of the bulb had been questioned, but the Lighting Council Chief Executive Richard Ponting says discolouration in any type of fluorescent lamp is normal at the end of its life.
'The plastic at the base of a CFL also contains fire-retardant plastic so if it does char for any reason, it may produce smoke but should not burn.'
Mr Ponting says people need to take care not to over-tighten the bulbs, as it's a common cause of bulb failure.
'CFLs are no more fragile than any other light bulb, but like any other light bulb it's going to crack if it's over-tightened. Make sure it's the right shape and size so you are not forcing the bulb into the fitting,'