unsure on downlight requirements

[Andy 4482]

hello everyone ,always wondered when fire rated downlights are an absolute necessity ? I know itssomat to do with building regs. way i see it is they need using in near enough every case bu if so why are the non fire rated so frequently used and readily available , ?cheers everyone

 

[SirKit Breaker]

As a general rule, if there is a habitable room above, then fire rated are required in the room below to maintain the 30 minute fire protection and acoustic properties of the ceiling.

Non fire rated are very cheap you can get 10 for about £30 inc lamps, compared to about £50 or £60 for fire rated. People who install crap and cheap have no knowledge of building regs, i.e DIY charlie, they just want cheap and looking nice, and those who sell them just want money and couldn't give a ----.

I personally would ban non fire rated downlights, they are crap and dangerous, for a couple of quid extra each you can get the proper thing.

Cheers........Howard

 

[alanl]

Price.
Non-fire rated can be bought for £2, fire rated are £12 up.

 

[truckster]

What's a life worth? I only fit fire rated units now.

 

[ACL]

All you need to do is speak to building control and if they say youu need fire rated then you need fire rated!
They will have the final say.
As SirKitBreaker said, if habitable room above then as a rule you need fire rated. They don't always care about lofts so if loft above then just fit standard ones, but check with building control.

 

[edrobbo8]

On the C4 programme 'My house is falling down' the other week, the couple's ceiling was not at all fireproof, but had habitable rooms above, so would there be any point in fitting decent fire rated DLs if the ceilings are old?