Downlights Again

[Willy]

This could be a question without an answer, or open a can of worms.

Do you guys know of any regs regarding the depth of void to put them in. I personally do not like them and am wary of putting them in a ground floor ceiling. My concern is the heat dissipation, (or lack of it).

If there are no set guidelines do you have a minimum distance between the fitting and the upstairs floorboards that you use. I have seen some worrying photos of very charred joists!

Any guidance or help gratefully received.

Cheers

 

[Evans Electric]

Good question . There are guidlines with the fittings, such as 40mm from a joist I think. Can't remember the headroom though .

 

[Andy™]

this info is in the manufacturers instructions (or it should be)

 

[batty]

If you use correct fittings with alutech bulbs you should not have any problems.

Batty

 

[Willy]

If you use correct fittings with alutech bulbs you should not have any problems.Batty

Thanks Batty,

my only concern then would be customer replacing the bulb when needed with a cheap model. I take it the Alutech bulbs throw most of there heat forwards?

 

[batty]

Thanks Batty, my only concern then would be customer replacing the bulb when needed with a cheap model. I take it the Alutech bulbs throw most of there heat forwards?

That is correct and if they use the wrong lamps it will generally damage the fittings.

 

[matt.leung]

the problem you then face is the spacing, as stated in the post above 40mm away from any joist, but in real life you want a symetrical pattern down below visually....

 

[NozSpark]

I have just refused to fit some in an extension with a flat roof.. How's the BC going to sign that off!! (I don't mean Part P... I mean insulation wise)

In the end they have seen sense and have got a bar spot light.

 

[Willy]

It's a minefield with some sparks willing to put any fitting anywhere and others not. As Andy wrote earlier, I think the best guidance is the manufacturers instructions coupled with common sense.

I need to be able to sleep at night so if in doubt, they stay in the box.

Cheers all for your input

 

[green-hornet]

It's a minefield with some sparks willing to put any fitting anywhere and others not. As Andy wrote earlier, I think the best guidance is the manufacturers instructions coupled with common sense.I need to be able to sleep at night so if in doubt, they stay in the box.

Cheers all for your input

Best advise is to follow the manufacturers own instructions, if anything happens then, it is down to the manufacturer and not you.

I hate downlights, main reason is the control of heat dissipation given the building regs for insulation.

You should see the molten plastic that used to be transformers I have removed from some premises.

 

[kme]

All I will fit, immaterial of requirements, are fire-rated DL`s.

GH: We recently did remedial works for a PIR in a hotel (some of you will remember the fevered postings on things I`d never done before), where we had to install fire hoods to existing DLs, in a suspended ceiling.

Only problem was, the fittings had integral trannies. We used large 75mm square fabric covers; but the extra heat generated kept thermalling the tranx. Only by relamping with 20W could we stop the problem. That reminds me, I`ve got another sixty-odd to do

 

[green-hornet]

All I will fit, immaterial of requirements, are fire-rated DL`s.GH: We recently did remedial works for a PIR in a hotel (some of you will remember the fevered postings on things I`d never done before), where we had to install fire hoods to existing DLs, in a suspended ceiling.

Only problem was, the fittings had integral trannies. We used large 75mm square fabric covers; but the extra heat generated kept thermalling the tranx. Only by relamping with 20W could we stop the problem. That reminds me, I`ve got another sixty-odd to do

ROTFWLROTFWLROTFWL

I would go mad doing all those.