Recessed electrical fixture assembly with insulation barrier and method of using the same

1. A recessed electrical fixture assembly, comprising:

first and second support members, said first and second support members being spaced and substantially parallel, and including first and second inner surfaces, respectfully, said first and second inner surfaces opposing one another,

a barrier releasably coupled to said first and second inner surfaces of said first and second support members and defining an enclosure with at least one open side;

a fire resistant housing at least partially received in said enclosure defined by said barrier and releasably coupled to said first and second support members, said fire resistant housing including an opening corresponding to said open side of said enclosure; and

an electrical unit received in said fire resistant housing.

2. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said barrier includes first, second and third foldable panels that extend between said first and second support members, thereby defining said enclosure; and

said second foldable panel extends between said first and third foldable panels.

3. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 2 , wherein

said second foldable panel is opposite said open side.

4. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 2 , wherein

said first and third foldable panels are substantially parallel; and

said second foldable panel is substantially perpendicular to each of said first and third foldable panels.

5. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 2 , wherein

each of said first, second and third foldable panels includes opposing first and second foldable end flaps.

6. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 5 , wherein

said first foldable end flaps of each of said first, second and third foldable panels are releasably coupled to said first inner surface of said first support member; and

said second foldable end flaps of each of said first, second and third foldable panels are releasably coupled to said second inner surface of said second support member.

7. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 5 , wherein

said foldable end flaps are substantially perpendicular to their respective first, second and third foldable panels.

8. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 5 , wherein

said foldable end flaps of said first and third foldable panels, respectively, extend outside of said enclosure; and

said foldable end flaps of said second foldable panel extend inside of said enclosure.

9. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 5 , wherein

each of said first and third foldable panels includes at least one knock-out for receiving wiring from said electrical unit.

10. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said barrier includes no more than first, second and third foldable panels with each of said foldable panels including no more than first and second foldable end flaps.

11. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said fire resistant housing is releasably coupled to said first and second inner surfaces of said support members.

12. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said barrier is formed of a plastic material; and

said barrier engages insulation outside of said enclosure.

13. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said barrier is adjustable.

14. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said fire resistant housing is formed of wallboard.

15. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said first and second support members are first and second joists, respectively.

16. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said electrical unit is a lighting unit including a reflector and a lamp.

17. A recessed electrical fixture assembly, comprising:

first and second support members, said first and second support members being spaced and substantially parallel, and including first and second inner surfaces, respectfully, said first and second inner surfaces opposing one another;

a barrier including first, second and third foldable panels extending between said first and second support members, each of said foldable panels includes first and second foldable end flaps, and each of said first foldable end flaps being releasably coupled to said first inner surface of said first support member and each of said second foldable end flaps being releasably coupled to said second inner surface of said second support member, said first, second and third panels and said first and second inner surfaces of said first and second support members defining an enclosure with at least one open side;

a housing at least partially received in said enclosure and releasably coupled to said first and second support members, said housing including an opening corresponding to said open side of said enclosure; and

an electrical unit received in said housing.

18. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

each of said first and second foldable end flaps is substantially perpendicular to their respective first, second and third foldable panels.

19. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

said foldable end flaps of said first and third foldable panels, respectively, extend outside of said enclosure; and

said foldable end flaps of said second foldable panel extend inside of said enclosure.

20. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

said housing is releasably coupled to said first and second inner surfaces of said first and second support members.

21. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

said barrier engages insulation outside of said enclosure.

22. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

said barrier is formed of a plastic material.

23. A recessed electrical fixture assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

said electrical unit is a lighting unit including a reflector and a lamp.

24. A method of installing a recessed electrical fixture, comprising the steps of:

positioning a barrier between first and second support members, the first and second support members being spaced and substantially parallel with respect to one another and defining opposing inner surfaces;

releasably coupling the barrier to each of the inner surfaces of the first and second support members, thereby defining an enclosure with at least one side being open;

inserting a fire resistance housing for supporting an electrical unit into the enclosure through the open side of the barrier; and

releasably coupling the housing to the first and second support members using support bars.

25. A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of

providing an insulating material outside of the enclosure.

26. A method according to claim 24 , wherein

the barrier includes first, second and third foldable panels with each of the panels having first and second foldable end flaps.

27. A method according to claim 26 , further comprising the step of

folding the first and third foldable panels to position the barrier between the first and second support members, thereby defining the enclosure.

28. A method according to claim 27 , further comprising the step of

folding the first and second foldable end flaps of the second foldable panel in a first direction; and

folding the first and second foldable end flaps of each of the first and third foldable panels in a second direction that is substantially opposite to said first direction.

29. A method according to claim 28 , further comprising the step of

releasably coupling the barrier to the first and second inner surfaces of the support members by releasably coupling the first and second foldable end flaps of the second foldable panel to the first and second inner surfaces, respectfully.

30. A method according to claim 28 , further comprising the step of

releasably coupling the barrier to the first and second inner surfaces of the support members by releasably coupling the first and second foldable end flaps of each of the first and third foldable panels to the first and second inner surfaces, respectfully.

31. A method according to claim 30 , further comprising the step of

inserting the fire resistant housing into the enclosure prior to releasably coupling the first and second foldable end flaps of each of the first and third foldable panels to the first and second inner surfaces, respectfully.

32. A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of

inserting an electrical unit in the fire resistant housing prior to inserting the fire resistant housing into the enclosure.

33. A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of

releasably coupling the fire resistant housing to the inner surfaces of the first and second support members.

34. A method according to claim 24 , wherein

the barrier includes no more than first, second and third foldable panels with each of the panels having no more than first and second foldable end flaps.

35. A method according to claim 24 , wherein

said barrier is formed of a plastic material.

36. A method according to claim 24 , wherein

said first and second support members are first and second joists, respectfully.