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.

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.

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.

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