Does anyone ever fit non-fire rated downlights?

[HappyHippyDad]

I have refused to fit customer supplied non fire rated downlights before as there were living quarters above but I'm never too sure of the 'rules' in this case.

Approved document B is huge and I cannot find where it relates to this subject?

From reading different threads on the net it seems that some suggest fitting non fire rated downlights on the top floor is OK as long as there is no loft conversion, is this correct? I can't quite see how it is as I am assuming top floor ceilings have to have a minimum level of fire resistance when they are built? If so, when we install downlights we must ensure the fire rating is no worse than before and therefore fit fire rated downlights.

I realise the ESC suggests always fitting fire rated but I am more interested in what the building regulations state.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - to answer your title question, no I don’t fit down lights that aren’t fire rated. My logic is I’m fitting them to a relatively non combustible plasterboard sheet and I don’t want the resistance to fire to be any less after my work. The second question is - do the building regulations require this? - as far as I know the answer is “not always”.

 

[buzzlightyear]

if its the 1st floor area then you dont need them ,ground floor yes , most fittings you would use a led lamps .saw the chances of a fire are billion to one unless the fire is crated from a chip pan .

 

[Baddegg]

I’m with you @happyhippydad, there’s not even much costs difference so why not fit them unless it’s in a loft conversion I suppose you could justify it but again what’s the point...

 

[Midwest]

We’ve had this discussion lots of times, and members have different views. A domestic property is deemed as one fire cell, excepting an integral garage.

There are some members that think that not all sections of an Approved Document applies, there‘s the recent one on socket heights, as an example.

There‘s not just Part B, with regards cutting holes in plasterboard, but also C & E.

As the cans are similar priced, and cheap as chips, I can see no reason not to fit fire rated etc ones.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I can think of 2 occasions when I have fitted non fire rated, as opposed to the other 200 times when I haven't. However, there will be the odd occasion when fitting non-fire rated may be the only option. Perhaps in a poorly made flat roof with a cavity that is not deep enough for the can (although there are some pretty shallow integrated fire rated downlights now).

I guess I'm just trying to determine if it is ever acceptable. Perhaps in an overhang along the front of a house where the cavity isn't deep enough.

I think @Wilko has basically answered it with regards the building regs 'not always' (but probably).

 

[Pretty Mouth]

For your average house it's usually fine to fit non fire rated downlights, unless cutting through a fire barrier. There's info in the Electrician's Guide to Building Regs, but I think John Ward explains it best, from 6.30 onwards:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7r59TpuBeo


It's worth knowing when they're needed or not for the odd occasion like you had where the customer supplies them.

 

[Midwest]

I quite like JW videos, however I feel his not including all the points of Part B. For provisions of fire safety he might be correct, but from the implementation of prevention of fire damage he is not correct.

Plasterboard is just for decorative purposes, it provides fire protection for structural timbers etc. It also provides provision as already alluded to, Part C & E. For example, if you were to cut holes in plasterboard to provide access for services, you would be required to repair that hole, so it wasn’t any worse than it was previously.

Plus the fire rated ones are just as cheap.

 

[BruceBanner]

No, for the cost difference it's not worth the liability.