do i need intumescant down lighters?

[calvert]

I'm just having my house professionally rewired. Do I have to have intumescant downlighters in the kitchen? Is there any reg. covering them?

 

[JohnD]

you don't have to have downlighters. They are not a good source of illumination.

 

[bernardgreen]

Building Regulations Part B Fire safely is the document you need to consult.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/partbcontent

 

[Taylortwocities]

It depends on the ceiling, and the type of building.

What does "professionally" mean. Does it mean that you are paying for the work?

Any registered electrician will be aware of the Building and other regulations surrounding this question. Why not ask your "professional"?

 

[calvert]

yes I am paying a registered electrician. I just wondered as he just asumed thats what we would be fitting and now wont be back til thesecond fix. Thanks for the sensible answers.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Of which this one was by far the most sensible, and most valuable, by a long way:

you don't have to have downlighters. They are not a good source of illumination.

 

[ericmark]

There are building regulations covering the intumescant or other methods to reduce and prevent fire risk. However this is more to do with the design of the building than the down lighters and in one kitchen you may need no special system and in another kitchen you may need special hoods etc.

The electrical regulations stipulate a 100mm clearance to combustible materials but do not allow for different types of light producing different heat and just say you should follow manufacturers recommendations. So a lamp which says suitable for mounting on combustible materials can be used.

I do question the word down lighter as there are so many lights which shine down and are also in-bedded in the ceiling.

The whole idea of shining down is a problem as floors do not reflect light very well using spot lights which can be angled to light up special areas are good but you will need general lighting as well. The small 50mm fixed lamps are not really much good at lighting.

I think your post does not make it plain to if you are asking if you have to have down lighters or if those down lighters have to be coated with the special material. I would have thought you were asking about the heat resisting material?

Using small 50mm down lighters in suspended ceilings where there is free air above them I have not found a problem but when one starts to use hoods and the like I have found the lamp holders fail due to heat. So I would say if building regulations for your type of ceiling requires hoods then don't use that type of lamp.

 

[calvert]

Thanks chaps, youve persuaded me! I'm gonna fit spotlight instead

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thanks chaps, youve persuaded me! I'm gonna fit spotlight instead