Domestic Downlights fitted 5mm -10mm from timber, fire hazard?

[Callum07uk]

There are newly installed down lighters but the are sitting close to a timber joist above the ceiling, the bulb and the bulb carriers get very hot, I don't beleive the downlighters are fire rated, is this a problem?

 

[kingeri]

Manufacturers instructions would have stated a minimum distance from any combustible materials - including joists. Best advice is to use LED spotlights - they run much cooler.

 

[Callum07uk]

Heat from lights, timber joist

Is it possible to put some sort of heat proof material between a joist and a downlight in order to prevent a fire?
There is a downlight install 5-10mm from a timber joist, is it necessary to put a flame proof material between them

 

[malcolmsanford]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

I suppose you could put some sort of silicone pad screwed to the joist to protect it from the fitting.

If you are installing these as you say then what does the manufacturers instructions say concerning clearance? And if your clearance is less than advised then perhaps you should be thinking about an alternative source of light.

 

[telectrix]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

swap the halogens for LEDs.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

The flameproof material recommended is an air gap and, as Malcolm pointed out, the clearance is stated by the manufacturer. IIRC about 50mm minimum from joists etc. So your best bet is to move the light to comply with the maker's instructions.

As a next to last resort you could try putting a largish piece of plasterboard to try and shield the wood and to dissipate the heat, a bit.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Being actively discussed on a similar thread here
http://www.electriciansforums.net/electrical-forum-general-electrical-forum/62596-heat-lights-timber-joist.html

 

[i=p/u]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

gum gum for car exhausts i uses for a plastic drain pipe, reflects it, but have since replaced with led's

 

[Callum07uk]

I like the idea of LED's, I guess they are not hot enough to cause a fire?

 

[Callum07uk]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

Are LEDs warm enough to cause a burn to skin?

 

[kingeri]

Fittings should still have been fitted according to manufacturers instructions, but if they are already in then LEDs are a way to make it safe, they don't get anywhere near as hot as halogens - main reason why they are so much more efficient!

 

[Strima]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

Not the one's I've come across, easy enough to change when just turned off unlike halogens where you could be waiting a long time for them to cool down. As a quick fix LED will be fine but as you can also fit halogens in then the best course would be to move the lights as per the manufacturers instructions to avoid heat damage and reduce risk of fire.

 

[Callum07uk]

Re: Heat from lights, timber joist

Okay thanks a lot for your help

 

[Callum07uk]

Okay thanks a lot, do the LEDS produce similar amounts of lux?

 

[telectrix]

a kosnic 5watt is about equivalent to 35watts. 7watt is close to 50watt. check the lumens . decent LEDs will have it printed on the box.

 

[Marvo]

Similar threads merged

 

[kingeri]

This is the kind of thing I wouldn't be happy with leaving in someone's house, as the GU10s can easily be put back to halogens. But my bathroom has 6 GU10s that are right next to the joists. It's my house, I have no immediate plans to leave, they have LEDs in them, so I'm happy!

 

[sparks1973]

we had one today at a house up burley in wharfdale......mr16 fitting that had been `notched` into a ceiling joist above a shower enclosure.....wouldn`t sit rite into the ceiling and as a consequence was full of moisture....tranny on this had given up the ghost.....and what a pig it was to replace n all........the joiner who had boarded out the loft forgot to site the tranny in a place where you could grab it through the hole.....and had trapped the secondry side cables to the fitting.....