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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Downlighters and fire protection https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1236193774 Message started by londonman on Mar 4^th, 2009, 7:09pm

Title: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by londonman on Mar 4^th, 2009, 7:09pm

At the recent inspection by Building Control, the BCO wanted me to retro-fit intumescent stuff or other fire protection on the downlighters. Now I seem to remember researching this at the time and thought that provided any inflammable material such as Kingspan was above a certain height above the luminaire then one did not require any form of fire protection.

Can anyone shed any light, please? Happy to provide further information.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by Zambezi on Mar 4^th, 2009, 10:37pm

My understanding is that you need to provide fire hoods or fire rated fittings when there are habitable rooms above the fittings. It is mainly to stop the spread of fire. If a fire starts in the living room the intumescent material in the light fitting/hood expands to close off the hole between upstairs and downstairs.

As standard I fit fire rated downlights like...
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/38373/Lighting-Lamps/Internal-Lighting/Fire-Rated-Lighting/240V-Lighting/Halolite-Fixed-GU10-Satin-Nickel-Fire-Rated-Downlight it is much easier than trying to fit those silly floppy fire hoods that move and never sit properly.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by Goodsparks on Mar 5^th, 2009, 1:17am

Fire hoods are only generally required where a penetration has been made in a ceiling / wall / floor that is designed to provide fire integrity. This will vary from place to place. They will almost always be required where the ceiling / floor seperates two dwellings (flats maisonettes) (also to provide sound insulation (cant remember which building reg. that is)). Think along the lines of the stupid wind-up door closers the BCO insists you fit to provide integrity to the staircase when you convert the loft. Approved Doc. B will give guidance as to the places that need fire seperation for new builds / alterations, thats where the hoods / downlights will be required.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by londonman on Mar 5^th, 2009, 7:50am

Thanks guys for the confirmation.

The downlighters he complained about were in a single story extension out the back. So nothing habitable above. He tried it on before with the casement windows - saying they should be hinged at the top so the whole window would swing upwards in the case of fire. Told him that only applied to new builds and he backed down.

So telephone call today, I think. If he gets stubborn then that's a great link, Z.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by Zambezi on Mar 5^th, 2009, 7:58am

Is he complaining about the spots in the conservatory/extension thing out the back? If so, then he has been beaten with the silly stick a few too many times! I guess if it makes him happy and you get your completion certificate then just change the fittings (a waste of time and money but for the sake of peace and your completion cert). You can buy packs of those fittings, I think 10 in a pack and they work out quite a bit cheaper.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by Lectrician on Mar 5^th, 2009, 8:12am

We fit the JCC fire rated ones, we pay £4.95 for them including a lamp. This is the ELV version, but I am sure the GU10 version is the same sort of money.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by CWatters on Mar 5^th, 2009, 8:39am

That's a good price. TLC also have a range of fire rated but more like £6-£7.

Title: Re: Downlighters and fire protection
Post by londonman on Mar 5^th, 2009, 6:49pm

Well, as it happened the Aurora trade bus was parked outside my local distributor and I popped in for a chat. The sales guy agreed 100% with what you guys have been saying (not that I ever doubted you!).

So armed with that I rang Building Control to see if I could speak to the BCO but he was on leave. I spoke (politely) to one of his colleagues who agreed with all that's gone before. No need for them!!