Ess Bee shortwave I.R. lamp consists of a coiled tungsten filament in a quartz tube. A combination of a halogen gas and Argon is present in the tube. The diameter of the filament is less than the dia meter of the quartz tube. So, spacers/support rings are used to keep the filament in the centre of the tube. This prevents the filament from coming in direct contact with the tube.
The nominal working life of I.R. lamps is 5000 hours. Care must be taken that they are not subjected to severe vibrations and mechanical shocks.