GU10 LED downlighters

[joel_till]

Hi guys.

Got a client that wants to change their 'low voltage' MR16 35W lamps to mains GU10 5W LED.

The apartment is in a multi-storey block and above the plasterboard ceiling is a concrete ceiling so the floor to the upstairs flat.

They currently don't have fire rated fittings and don't want to go with the added expense of fire rated cans. I see the Part P regs doesn't required fire rated fittings in a house but not sure where I stand on the Part P in this particular situation.

Can I get away with just changing lamp holders to GU10 LED and not use fire rated fittings in this instance without breaking any regs?

Best to check.

Cheers

 

[Toneyz]

At a guess the fire barrier is the concreate slab post a picture of existing and members will be able to advise better

 

[joel_till]

Exactly my thoughts and a LED lamp is hardly giving off any kind of heat. Just want to follow regs as close as I can. I don't have a picture but there a void of approx 10 inches between the plasterboard and concrete - without insulation

 

[Octopus]

I would say that the concrete ceiling/floor is the fire barrier so carry on and change them....... tin hat on

 

[joel_till]

I would say that the concrete ceiling/floor is the fire barrier so carry on and change them....... tin hat on

Thanks - anymore takers on a definitive answer?

 

[Toneyz]

Exactly my thoughts and a LED lamp is hardly giving off any kind of heat. Just want to follow regs as close as I can. I don't have a picture but there a void of approx 10 inches between the plasterboard and concrete - without insulation

no need for pic as your info states you are well qualified for what you are doing for changing E.L.V. to mains LED GU10

 

[telectrix]

as murdoch says, the concreteis the fire barrier and, as the lights don't penetrate it, then you're fine .

 

[westward10]

Thanks - anymore takers on a definitive answer?

Each dwelling in a block of flats is a fire compartment hence the layer of concrete.

 

[bigspark17]

I think you have the incorrect conception of a fire rated down lights, the fittings ability to not give off heat has nothing to do with it, the fact your cutting a large hole in a fire barrier between floors is what you need to be concerned about, this is why you need to fit a fire rated fitting. Fit fire rated fittings or walk away, the cost diference is minimal

 

[telectrix]

as murdoch says, the concreteis the fire barrier and, as the lights don't penetrate it, then you're fine .

Each dwelling in a block of flats is a fire compartment hence the layer of concrete.

he concrete also helps to hold the upstairs on top of the downstairs.

 

[Rpa07]

+1

 

[telectrix]

I think you have the incorrect conception of a fire rated down lights, the fittings ability to not give off heat has nothing to do with it, the fact your cutting a large hole in a fire barrier between floors is what you need to be concerned about, this is why you need to fit a fire rated fitting. Fit fire rated fittings or walk away, the cost diference is minimal

rubbish. the concrete is the fire barrier, not the plasterboard ceiling.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I'm with you on that telectrix.

 

[bigspark17]

I agree in this scenario.. it was the OP stating about heat from the lamp which made me think he didnt know what the purpoe of a fire rated fitting was for, which is how i started my reply to him if u read it properly.

 

[buzzlightyear]

once you start to drilling holes in a ceiling, you are braking the integrity of that ceiling
if a room is above it e.g. wooden floor, fire risk how ever if solid concrete floor above no fire will get through .

 

[Midwest]

As Bigsparks says, the difference in cost between non fire rate and fire rated down lights is minimal. In fact, I go further to say you'll be hard pushed to find a decent non fire rated DL. Even reasonable quality LED DL are manufactured to comply with Part B, but some also Part C & Part E.

Cheapest DL at Screwfix for example, non rated with lamp is about £4. Cheapest fire rated, with lamp is £7. But then your client might start moaning, when the cheap LED lamps start failing. There's decent DL now for sub £20.

 

[Midwest]

Or you could buy these;
50 X ASD LIGHTING GU10 TILT DOWNLIGHTS BRUSHED STEEL (ONLY 65 PENCE EACH) - http://www.thetradelink.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=515&utm_source=ttl-contractor-email-campaign&utm_campaign=210217&utm_medium=email

 

[kingeri]

Whilst the concrete floor is the actual fire barrier, and the choice of downlight will actually make no difference in the real world, I would still fit fire rated as my first choice, simply because I have gotten so used to fitting them, and the price difference isn't huge. In this case though, if the customer insisted on saving a few quid, then I would fit regular ones rather than not do the job.

 

[telectrix]

i think the OP has been asked to replace the MR16 s with GU10 s in the existing non- fire rated fittings.

 

[kingeri]

Ahh yes it does seem that way