Downlighter insulation support or insulation friendly downlighters

[leolec]

Anyone found any neat insulation supports that can be installed through the downlighter hole or some led downlighters with the f in the triangle and a hat?

I put some insulation supports in on a job I've just first fixed, the builder has riped them out and stuffed the space with rockwool unbelievable!

 

[partypest]

Clearly the builder didn't know what they were for. Is it a loft above or another floor?

 

[leolec]

Yes communication is key and...........................

Its a low sloping roof so can't get in above the only thing I'm coming up with at the mo is to push the insulation back to the minimum req'd with a stick but 2nd fix is a couple of weeks away so I just thought I'd put it to the forum for other ideas

 

[partypest]

I have seen someone overcome a similar problem, but they weren't your run-of-the-mill type of guys to be fair. He had down lighters that had been installed some years before, wedged into the insulation was some crispy twin (minus earth) and even crispier choc blocks. The tranny's had cooked but the wiring the other side of them was ok. This guy got some strips of stainless steel he had lying around, as you do. He curled them up like a piston liner, pushed them through the hole and let them uncurl themselves and fill the space. It worked a treat and might give you some ideas?

 

[leolec]

That would do it, just curl it and let it spring out.......hmmmm

 

[chrish_1977]

Couldn't you use fire rated ones or are you tight for space in the void?

 

[Richard Burns]

Aurora do downlights that can be covered with insulation but they may well not fit your existing holes. Not sure if they have integrated LED ones.
Some Fire hoods are meant to able to be fitted from below (lots of luck!) and could push the insulation away if you are lucky.

 

[GT1]

Its a bit of a pet hate of mine when electricians believe that fire rated down lighters can be covered with insulation. Or indeed that fire rated down lighters are less likely to catch fire or cause a fire then any other down lighter..
They really ought to change the name of them to reflect their true function.
I perish to think how many "fire rated" down lighters there are out there fitted then covered with 2 feet of insulation.
anyway... rant over..

Ive used the metal boxes that come flat packed.. They are just the job, but not cheap. Last time I bought some they were £7 each..!!

 

[leolec]

Got to agree with that GT1, given there are product ratings and every box we open now clearly gives us sparks full responsibility there should be no excuse for getting it wrong, and every spark that thinks fire rated is all you need trains several builders into the same thinking and so on........there have been times when I've been out there thinking I must have read something wrong here......

 

[GT1]

I do feel like having a neon sign sometimes that says
"Fire rated downlights does not mean they don't catch fire..!!!"

 

[partypest]

That would do it, just curl it and let it spring out.......hmmmm

Seemed to work a treat. Obviously, it can't straighten right out because of the insulation. I hope you sort something.