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Hi all, im a retired sparky and a bit out of touch with the regulations. building control will allow me to put LED/downlights in my cold-roof, providing I do not cut all the way through the 125mm of loft insulation/cellotex. and leave at least 25mm insulation 'behind' the light-if this makes sense? The manufacturer has said it is ok but the building control want the electrician (who I cannot get hold of at the moment) to say it will pass all electrical regs.
any views/help on this appreciated.
cheers
 
Manufacturers instructions are the answer. Its not up to an electrician to say how much insulation can go round a light fitting.
 
Manufacturers instructions are the answer. Its not up to an electrician to say how much insulation can go round a light fitting.
Thanks for the reply R-fur. I will see if building control will accept this. Building control are being a pain because of some unrelated non-electrical work done by a cowboy builder.
this is the reply from the manufacturer...'Our fittings are designs to go into the application described however to ensure compliance with building regulations is down to the electrician as there would be other factors to consider.'
 
sounds like they don't want to make a commitment. I expect all your electrician would say is that they will be installed to BS7671 2018.
 
When im in this situation i usually have a section of the celotex cut out say 10in long from joist to joist with rockwall installed in the hole to give some room/manoeuvrability for installing the downlight but also keeping a little insulation in place
Obviously clearing an adequate space around the downlight

No perfect answer for that one im afraid
 
Someone must’ve really ----ed off the building inspector on that job!....I do loft conversions and have never had any grief over this they just accept that in some areas, as per @Welchyboy1 there will be sections cut out......just tell him you’ve changed ya mind nd are having a central pendant, run all the cables in and cut the insulation out beforehand hand and install the down lights retrospectively once he’s singles off ?
 
When im in this situation i usually have a section of the celotex cut out say 10in long from joist to joist with rockwall installed in the hole to give some room/manoeuvrability for installing the downlight but also keeping a little insulation in place
Obviously clearing an adequate space around the downlight

No perfect answer for that one im afraid
thanks watchyboy. i saw something similar on one of the manufacturers sites. i would of done this as well. Building control said i could not cut right through. fortunately, he accepted, with reluctance me cutting into the insulation but not through it.
thanks all for your help ?
 
Well I've had differing views from BI from the same Council. On my last foray with a vaulted ceiling filled with Celotex, we had to install a false ceiling below the insulated ceiling to fit the down lights. Manufacturer advised on gap between fixed surface, i.e. plasterboard and top of fitting.

I personally wouldn't go cutting any insulation board, without the LBC approval first. Otherwise it will end in tears.
 
Most BI are very reasonable people who accept that the rules around insulation are outdated against the amount of installs that have downlights these days,
 

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