Installing GU10 lights - mounting into loftspace

[garycat]

Hi,

Im installing 2 GU10 240v 50w lights in the ceiling of a cloakroom. The installation holes go into the loft and will be covered by the loft insulation so will I need any additional heat protection between the underside of the light and the insulation?

Cheers
Gary

[Steve_D]

I'm not an expert but my understanding is that they will need to be fire rated lamps and have 50mm clearance all round ie clear of both insulation and timbers.

Steve

[911DM]

Seconded. Ours have those metal boxes over them...

[911DM]

911DM said:

Seconded. Ours have those metal boxes over them...

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/97932/Lighting-Lamps/Internal-Lighting/Fire-Rated-Downlights/Fire-Hoods/Halolite-Downlight-Fire-Guard-220mm

This kind of thing...

[Simpo Two]

As I understand it you must not put insulation over the top.

[B17NNS]

Yep, clear the insulation around the fitting. You also need fire rated downlighters now to preserve the fire rating of the ceiling. The fitting will also require a clearance from any joists.


http://www.screwfix.com/prods/89902/Lighting-Lamps...

[garycat]

Thanks for the advice.

All those appear to be IP20, and the cloakroom contains a shower cubicle. Are there any higher IP rated lights suitable for a shower room?

[Goochie]

Gary.

If the cloakroom constains a shower you should use a light fitting of IP54 or IP65. You can get away with a standard fitting in some instances within a bigger bathroom but for a smallish cloakroom you'd need to look at IP54 or IP65.

As there is no habbitable space above the room, there is no need to use a fire rated product. A free space of at least 50mm should be provided around the fitting in the loft in order to prevent it from over-heating. So that you can do this and maintain continuity of insulation, you need to either use a metal box of make a box from plasterboard.

A common misconception is that the metal boxes make the fitting fire rated - that is not the case. If you decide on a fire rated fitting, make sure you buy one that is.

The other advantage of a fire rated fitting is that they tend to be draft free thanks to the metal "can" on the rear.

Fire rated fittings also need clearance to the rear to prevent them from overheating.

- Phil

[B17NNS]

Goochie said:

As there is no habbitable space above the room, there is no need to use a fire rated product.

I've just had a bungalow re-wired.

Both the spark and the building inspector insisted on fire rated spots.

[Steve_W]

These seem interesting - and say you can put insulation over the top of them. Snaplite

They also appear to comply with both fire & air leakage criteria - and they're British!

Anyone used them?

[Goochie]

B17NNS said:

Goochie said:

As there is no habbitable space above the room, there is no need to use a fire rated product.

I've just had a bungalow re-wired.

Both the spark and the building inspector insisted on fire rated spots.

Fire rated downlights only need to be fitted to prevent the spread of fire outside a "fire compartment". In 99% of installations, the downstairs and upstairs parts of a property will be considered as separate fire compartments. In a bunglaow the whole property *should* be treated as just one.

Did you fit a fire rated ceiling too? Fire rated downlights are a little pointless in a normal single skin ceiling.

[B17NNS]

Goochie said:

Did you fit a fire rated ceiling too? Fire rated downlights are a little pointless in a normal single skin ceiling.

A few steels in the roofspace so ceilings were all double boarded.

[mk1fan]

Just because a room is classed as non-habitable doesn't mean it's not a different fire compartment. Using a bungalow as an example then the ceilings should be compartments to prevent fire spreading from, say, the kitchen to anyother room via the loft.

You can fit an intumescent material hood over the unit instead of a metal box. Envirograf manufacture a few examples. Screwfix and any reputable lighting shop / wholesaler will have them too. These push the insulation up out of the way in the same way a metal box does but are easier to retro-fit.