Downlighters / Insulation (Grrrrrrr)

[Newpark7]

Hi All

As professional electricians we are constantly faced with the battle of installing downlighters in ceilings containing Celotex type insulation, our last job consisted of a 13mm foil backed plasterboard ceiling with 25mm insulation above, 18mm Plywood above that with 225mm insulation above the plywood (all requested by the local building authority).

As you can appreciate fitting the d/l's proved to be a real task and we have been called back to site by the builder as the downlights are not up tight to the ceiling, this is because the spring clips cannot open out fully to pull the d/l upwards because of the insulation & plywood. The building inspector took us to task on the previous job for removing the insulation around the downlighter.

Any suggestions please?

 

[telectrix]

sack the inspector. if they want to put all this crap in the way, then let em specify surface fittings

 

[Mark.W]

Silicone the buggers to the ceiling............

 

[Newpark7]

God I would love to but need the work mate, insulation is bad enough when I asked the builder wtf is the plywood for the inspector requested it in case of SNOW!!!

 

[spud1]

maybe design lighting as such that downlighters are not used if you anticipate problems early on in the design stages. Or communicate to builder that you require voids or boxes to be built around any proposed recessed spot location that reinstates the required insualtion values of the rest of the ceiling. Most builders will how ever Im afraid tell you to naff off. Its a tricky one. We all do usually just end up struggling.

Spud

 

[Newpark7]

Hi Spud

We quoted for the job before we were informed about the plywood & extra insulation and my builder is certainly the NAFF off kind. I guess we will struggle on as you suggest, I was just wondering what other sparks do when faced with Celotex type insulation above the ceiling etc.

Thanks

 

[Newpark7]

Silicone the buggers to the ceiling............

That has crossed my mind

 

[telectrix]

big hammer and cutting tools

 

[beaver74]

can you not change down lighter that do not have springs but sloped tabs on the side that you need to push in to the fitting and once within the hole reliese and twist this would over come the not being flush to the ceiling

 

[telectrix]

stick em on with blue tack

 

[nickblake]

Silicone the buggers to the ceiling............

by this i take it you mean the building inspectors

 

[nickblake]

I would remove the insulation ,from around the fitting if he complains again you are installing it within the manufacturers instructions

 

[sythai]

What a nightmare... I had cellotex problems recently with the architect, builder and client all against me!! Done my head in, so I can imagine the probs you are having with the added bonus of ply, whats that all about..snow, crazy whatever next!!

From now on when I'm quoting for jobs of this sort I will be sticking a clause in regarding downlights, insulation and the clear space I require... think it is the only way, builders just dont give a ----.

Good luck and hope you manage to sort it,

Sy

 

[telectrix]

that's the way. tell em you need space to dissipate heat. no space, no fit. simple

 

[Rambhai]

Can you not put shallow type in

 

[telectrix]

by shallow type do you mean builders or inspectors?

 

[topdjmatttolley]

put a false ceiling in

 

[bugsy]

When doing new build we always included a qualification within the quotation that we require all holes over 25mm , cuts and chases to be carried by the builder,