Fire Rated downlights or Non fire rated downlights ?

[terrybriggs123]

What are the regulations around downlights having to be fire rated or non fire rated? Im looking to put downlights in our new home and keep getting told different reasons for using fire rated ones. Really need to find out if we can get around using fire rated downlights as the cost does tend to jump quite a large amount! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[telectrix]

you only need fire rated if either of the following apply:1. the floor above is separately occupied. e.g. sub-let flat.2. in the ceiling of an integral garage where there is dwelling above. having said that, the difference in price is made up by the build quality of the fitting, so IMO, is best to fit fire rated anyway.

 

[ste mac]

If cost is such an issue try these. http://m.cpc.co.uk/en-GB/product.aspx?c=1651&p=50&pid=LA0298707

You would be hard pressed to find non fire rated for this price.

 

[Brighton sparky]

Best to fit fire rated ones, it's worth it, let's face it those little lights get really hot recessed in the ceilings.
I personally only fit fire rated ones, regardless.

 

[telectrix]

i only fit LED ones now. halogens are consigned to the realms of the titanic, zeppelins, vinyl records, CRT televisions, and them horrid dimmer than tim ( nice but dim) cfl crap.

 

[ste mac]

i only fit LED ones now.

LED all the way for me too

 

[Engineer54]

Best to fit fire rated ones, it's worth it, let's face it those little lights get really hot recessed in the ceilings.
I personally only fit fire rated ones, regardless.

Nothing to do with how hot the lamps get, it's all to do with maintaining the fire rating of the ceiling in which they are fitted!!

Even LED light fittings still have to be ''Fire Rated'' where required, and as others state, they tend to be virtually the same price these days anyway!! So just as well to use fire rated units regardless....

 

[Darkwood]

I was just about to comment but found E54 has it the nail on the head - its amazing how many new range of non fire rated fittings are still been pumped into the market where probably will not comply to building regs 95% of the time ... keep seeing wholesalers selling them to even competent Sparks and does make me wonder just how competent they are?

 

[terrybriggs123]

Thanks for the advice i have opted for the fire rated downlights the second thing was what LED's would you advise ? The fire rated downlights i purchased have arrived today and do seem like a good unit. I found them a bit cheaper then " ste mac " link above and when there's 50 - 60 going up them extra few pennys make a lot of difference!

 

[telectrix]

for LEDs try ledhut or convertabulb. both do quality lamps at good prices.

 

[High Tower]

I really rate Megaman lamps!