Loft insulation and down lights

[DIYBlues]

Hi guys

What do you do with the loft insulation when installing downlights. do you remove it and at what distance? Do you use hoods designed for the lights and keep the insulation?

Blue

 

[BACON]

Most downlight instructions say 150 mm space, also sugested is a cover of non flamable material ie ally , metal

 

[telectrix]

remove insulation for at least 4" all round fitting/s and make sure no insulation above. ssssimples.

 

[a1guvner]

You can get loft plates which are basically a thin metal box that fits between the joists to hold the insulation back and create a void

 

[HandySparks]

I use thermal seal cap ALC724 from TLC. It leaves enough space round the light without having a cold spot or draft from the loft. For a neat job cut a hole in the bottom layer of insulation (if more than one) then top layer(s) lie over the top of the cap.

 

[hermetic]

thermal seal caps should be used, as these lights have breached the 30 minute fire delay (the plasterboard and skim) required by BCO. they also stop the ingress of spiders, flies, insulation dust etc. I now actively advise against fitting these lights as the quality of construction has fallen so much that they are becoming thermally unsafe, and present something of a fire hazard. If you dont use firecaps, they stay cooler, but will move dust and airborne vapours into the floorspace/loftspace, which will become trapped in GF and present a fire hazard. If you use the firecaps, they generally run hot and eventually burn out. I have binned loads of them!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

how about a strip of chicken wire...rolled up into a circumference.....that will stop insulation encroaching into the heat zone.....

 

[Des 56]

As good a solution as any (and infintesimally cheap) is to construct 2 sides of a box with plasterboard,a plasterboard top and shove it over the fitting between the joists,lay the insulation over that
It stops the crap from covering the downlight and re instates the fire protection

 

[GLENNSPARK]

As good a solution as any (and infintesimally cheap) is to construct 2 sides of a box with plasterboard,a plasterboard top and shove it over the fitting between the joists,lay the insulation over that
It stops the crap from covering the downlight and re instates the fire protection

but does it des? reinstate the fire protection that is as standard plasterboard isn`t fire rated......

 

[Des 56]

but does it des? reinstate the fire protection that is as standard plasterboard isn`t fire rated......

Use the same plasterboard as the ceiling is constructed with,it is a fire compartment with the same material,

Glenn I use this method, its quick, cheap, adaptable and as good as all the wierd contraptions that can be purchased

 

[Kakys2]

What if you use fire rated spots.

 

[41steve]

Buy the fire rated type, the hoods are crap. look at the manufactures recommendations.

 

[Des 56]

What if you use fire rated spots.

They wont keep insulation at bay
having said that, I tend to always use fire rated

 

[Kakys2]

Change to led lamps problem sorted, but have you seen the price of equivelent led lamps.

 

[Kakys2]

I am going to be putting fire rated spots in my bathroom and changing the lamps to led ones but it is going to be very expensive. On the plus side though the lamps should last for ever and my leccy bill will be a bit lower.

 

[SparkyDips]

What if you use fire rated spots.

They wont keep insulation at bay
having said that, I tend to always use fire rated

have used fire rated spots and dressed insulation around them leaving 150mm clearance all round, switching to LED lamps is the way forward but when you have 12 fittings it can be expensive.

 

[Groucho Mace]

Only fit fire rated down lighters and use plasterboard to keep installation at bay, also started fitting LED lights that are the future but price needs to fall before many will even consider. I put it in a way to the customer that x amount spent on fire rated down lighters and installation kept away is a small price to pay in relation to the value of their house. Seems to make them look at it as a step in the right direction.