downlights in false ceiling tiles?

[decdastardly]

Hello all! Just joined the site and I'm a recently qualified electrician and I've just been asked to quote on installing downlights in some false (suspended) ceiling tiles. I've never personally seen this done before and I can't find anything in the regs specific to this..Anyway, I'm wondering..
Is it even safe to do this or can these kind of tiles be flammable? Even if they're not will the heat from the lamps discolour the tiles? Also would they even support the weight of say a fire-rated downlight once you had drilled out the hole? Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest123]

Hi Dec.

First of all theres no problem with installing recessed lights into suspended ceiling tiles. When I do it I always fit a 6mm ply backing the same size as the ceiling tile behind it for strength so the light fitting rests on this and not the tile.

I've never come across dis-coloured tiles due to heat from a downlighter as they are usually made from fire retardent material.

Hope this helps.

 

[kung]

Hello and welcome also

 

[decdastardly]

hey guys ..thanks for the advise..it's good to be able to talk to experienced sparks as I don't really know any in my area yet...thanks again!

 

[DHES-LTD]

Yeah just as lenny says cut a 6mm ply patress to place on the back of the tile.

 

[Spudnik]

I think you may also need to make sure that they are suitable for mounting in flammable surfaces if you use a ply backer.

Not a prob as most are, but there are some that aren't.

 

[decdastardly]

nice one guys I've got my ply and fittings on ordertoday
well, that's one less thing to go wrong!

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

hi dec welcome and good luck with the job

 

[chippysparks]

We installed about 8 or 9 in celing tiles, no ply, no problems that i know of.

 

[Spudnik]

We installed about 8 or 9 in celing tiles, no ply, no problems that i know of.

Most of the fittings are ok but some have strong springs and when the fitting is pushed up into the hole, they push into the sides of the hole, and to be honest, make a real mess.

Like these:

3rd pic down.

Wilts Electrical Wholesalers - Products » Wilts Plus - Designed for Advance Performance

 

[decdastardly]

Thanks for all the replies I'm still waiting to get get into the job and those ply boards are still kicking around in the back of the van. There's no spare tiles on the site and I know I've snapped a few before just during some clumsy poking around so I'm careful now! Plus I know those springs are like mousetraps on some of them!

 

[sparks1234]

You can always use 6mm MDF which is non-flammable