Fire Rated Downlights

[SKY]

Hi Chaps

What does the fire rating actually mean with regards to the push in ceiling down lights?

I have a job to fit 6 down lights into a kitchen which is an extension with flat roof.
There is no access other than by drilling holes - I did this today and find the whole lot is stuffed with insulation - I'm worrying in a way that there is little ventilation up there and I cannot physically guarantee that the I can eliminated by design and install that there will be a fire hazard over the long term with the insulation over time coming in contact with the fittings.

Any advise you guys can give?

Thanks

 

[HandySparks]

The fire rating means that the fitting will maintain the fire barrier formed by the ceiling. ie, for a specified time it will prevent a fire in the room spreading to the room above. It doesn't mean that the fitting itself won't cause a fire if it doesn't have sufficient ventilation. In your case a fire rated luminaire wouldn't be required because there isn't a habitable room above.

To stop overheating, I'd rule out the use of GU10s and look instead at a luminaire with integral LEDs, ie not a replaceable lamp. These give out much less heat, although may still require some space above for maximum life. Others may have more info on this point.

 

[Strima]

Good old curse of the GU10, fittings ideal for confined spaces and LED's buggered up by the heat a halogen gives off. As Handy says, integral LED looks like the way ahead but try and avoid the low voltage ones.

 

[Richard Burns]

Aurora make a downlight that has built in heat sink that allows the downlight to be covered with insulation, and there are some (few) other makes out there that allow the same thing., however worth checking the required sideways clearance as well since you would be hard pressed to clear more than 30mm around the downlight.
Bet answer is not to fit downlights or fit surface spotlights!