downlighter conundrum

[cossie362]

hi guys
quick question regarding downlighters with no fire hoods in a top floor flat
building is 15yrs old requires a periodic before bein let out on the new deic reports would this be a code c3?

 

[robsparky1975]

i think so,even worse as well if there is loft insulation,but its a small cost fix for the owner and a must.i have seen people use flower pots before!!!!

 

[TPES]

Are these fittings that are recessed with no habitable room above? accessed via the loft?

 

[cossie362]

yes loft access only

 

[rich.250]

Doesn't sound like a fire ceiling.
And isn't fire rating a building reg?
N/a to EICR??

 

[telectrix]

agree with rich.250. just move insulation away. no code.

 

[cossie362]

thanks for the info peeps

 

[rich.250]

Glad I'm not alone in my opinion telectrix

 

[telectrix]

and they don't have to be fire rated downlights either.

 

[nickblake]

what i have used in the past to protect the down light from the insulation i a plastic terminal that goes on top of soil pipes etc just bend the retailing legs over place over the down light an stick like sh** to hold it in place works a treat

 

[TPES]

Think I'm right in saying only require fire rating between floors, (If there's a room above) to stop the spread of fire to a habitable room, if it's a loft above then no fire rated fitting required, just clear insulation around the fitting..

Personally I always fit fire rated downlights no matter where they are installed, common sense sometimes has to take over here, I have seen many bags and Xmas tree boxes thrown into a loft hatch and resting against light fittings..

 

[rich.250]

Fire rated would be my choice, and there required in a dwelling above 2nd storey If habitable. E.g loft conversion.
Or if it's a separate dwelling above. Flats etc

But this is irrelevant to EICR as its a building regulation.

 

[Hiddo]

I was pulled at my elecsa inspection last year because I'd fitted fire rated downlights in a Ceiling with a loft above, cut around the insulation and not fitted hoods. I was told that I must always fit a hood and use heat resistant flex to the fitting. I was surprised but there you go.

 

[rich.250]

If the fitting is fire rated then surely it removes the need for a hood. Also flex? Really?
I'd question those points myself

 

[TPES]

That's right, I always use heat resistant flex to each fitting

 

[telectrix]

yeah. i would have asked the assessor for the reg. no.

 

[rich.250]

The manufacturers instructions on my jcc say t and e is fine so I'm stickin with it.
Who was the assesor?? Mine was trying to make stuff up too lol

 

[Hiddo]

It shocked me at the time. The flex one was more "good practice" he said but he was insistent on the hoods.

 

[rich.250]

Hmmm. I'd ask him to see reg number as telectrix said.
I proved my inspector wrong, now he doesn't like me lol
Such a shame......

 

[Hiddo]

If I get him again this year then I'll be asking him. I feel a bit daft now for just going along with what he said (respect your elders and all that). Watch this space for an update.

 

[rich.250]

Will do