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Hard to Find Smoke Odor?
Here is an interesting article found on
firegeezer.com regarding CFL bulbs.
On
June 18, 2008, BC602 ran a house fire where the occupant
reported a haze of smoke in the structure. The first Engine
reported an electrical odor at the top of the basement steps
that had the distinct odor of light ballast. Initial
investigation both visually and with a Thermal Image Camera
revealed no unusual hazards. The house contained no
“traditional” fluorescent light fixtures. The occupant informed
us that they had installed CFL bulbs in numerous fixtures and
lamps throughout the house.
We began the process of checking each bulb and found one in a
ceiling fixture that had a ballast failure much like we are
accustomed to finding in traditional overhead tube lighting
fixtures in commercial buildings.
A CFL bulb contains a ballast at the base of the unit between
the spiral tube and (Edison) screw. This ballast, encased in a
plastic shell, may or may not have visible vent holes or slots.
The ballast contains a Voltage Dependent Resister that, when
failure occurs, opens like a fuse to protect the device and
associated electrical equipment. The resultant heat and smoke
should escape from the vents in the housing. Light smoke may be
visible and one will smell that distinct electrical ballast
odor. As in the case the other night, there were visible smoke
marks and a small, brown oily/gooey residue at the vent holes.
These signs were not visible with the bulb in its socket.

Since more CFL bulbs are finding their way
into the home, don’t overlook these items when investigating a
smoke odor. |