casting down-lights into concrete (new build)

[J.C.E]

Looking at a job tomorrow evening for a new 5 bed house +granny flat over a basement floor+ground.

In my initial phone call to the client- down-lights are wanted in the basement concrete ceiling

'which will need to fit cowlings we've already cast into concrete'

I am assuming they are not/don't want too drop the ceiling and have down-lights installed this way.

I have never been involved or even thought about down-light actually recessed into concrete!!

assuming 'cowlings' are maybe hoods that are pre installed before the concrete pour? -how is it wired? pre installed conduits?

any advise or past experience welcome
cheers

 

[Octopus]

Why would you want fire rated fittings if they're housed in recesses in the concrete ceiling? (I assume that the holes for the fittings don't go all the way through the thickness of the concrete.)

If its a single property, why do you need fire rated downlights at all?

 

[J.C.E]

and surface trunking for the cables ...........................?

well if they

Took a look today so the main contractor has put ‘pots’ in the concrete of the ground floor (basement ceiling) where lights are positioned

And he wants it wired from above

Then concrete screed will then go on top

He wants the wiring laying on the ground floor (for points below) to be protected in copex/mini trunking to prevent damage in the building stage- but doesnt have the budget for a more robust install like galv conduit.

I explained that this would not be rewireable in 50 years time without any demo work!! Which he understands and will be making the client aware (who is actually a tv show architech!!)

Not sure if i want to carry this out or not?

Thoughts...

 

[J.C.E]

and surface trunking for the cables ...........................?

well if they

Took a look today so the main contractor has put ‘pots’ in the concrete of the ground floor (basement ceiling) where lights are positioned

And he wants it wired from above

Then concrete screed will then go on top

He wants the wiring laying on the ground floor (for points below) to be protected in copex/mini trunking to prevent damage in the building stage- but doesnt have the budget for a more robust install like galv conduit.

I explained that this would not be rewireable in 50 years time without any demo work!! Which he understands and will be making the client aware (who is actually a tv show architech!!)

Not sure if i want to carry this out or not?

Thoughts...

 

[Octopus]

Thoughts...

Why haven't they got a spark onsite from the start

Alarm bells

 

[Strima]

TBH I’d be walking away. You should have been involved since the design stage.

 

[J.C.E]

I know its a headache job- buts its in a nice part of town for quite a 'cool tasted' architech (its going to be he home)
exposed polished walls/ceilings with pretty cool features going in.
Its a 30k job for me plus will look great on my portfolio

 

[J.C.E]

so asked the make up of the ground floor (where he wants me to run the cables for the basement level below) ....

• Concrete Screed – Max temperature 20-30C
• Reinforcement Mesh
• Wet Underfloor heating pipes, within the concrete screed, max water temperature 40-60C, not touching your wires/trunking.
• Electric Wiring within plastic trunking
• RC Concrete Slab

 

[Squid]

If its the architects house and he has specced it out then he should have done the spec for the electrical work, its not up to you to work it out as you are not the designer, you are the grunt that just does as he is told and gets paid for it.

To me it looks like he is looking at you to find a solution to his design criteria.