Downlights in bathroom question again...

[actionjackson]

My next project is to install 15 x Aurora IP65/firerated 240v spots in my bathroom. I live in new build (7yrs old) 1st floor flat hence the need for fire rated lights.

Although im not an electrician (I have no experience in residential electrical work and in fact moved away from the tools 5 yrs ago), but have 16th edition and apprenticeship/HNC in electrical maintenance so i'm competent and safe. I will obviously notify the building council of my intentions in any case.

I have removed the old ceiling light and can feel a suitable gap between the ceiling plasterboard and joists and wondered if i can safely run T&E through it or should the cable be run in conduit? Why would there be a gap as i expected the plasterboard to be fixed directly to the joists.

Is there anything else i should bare in mind?

Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The only reason I could think that there are gaps between the plasterboards and the joists, is if battens have for some reason been fitted at right angles to the joists to lower the ceilng or your ceiling is falling down!

 

[actionjackson]

No its not falling down lol. Maybe to do with acoustics?

 

[sparkwright]

I will obviously notify the building council of my intentions in any case.

Yes, of course.

Is it definitely a joist?
Could it be a concrete ceiling above, or a counter batten, or something else that you can feel?

How much of a void do you think you have there?

 

[sparkwright]

Could the ceiling possibly have been lowered to accomodate some extractor fan ducting or similar?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I can't think of any acoustic board or any standard board that would not be fixed flush to joist.

 

[Spark123]

How big is the bathroom and what wattage are the lamps?

 

[actionjackson]

Notr sure without having another look but you could fit your finger in the gap.

I could also feel some sort of metal bracket attached to the plasterboard and joist which i think is creating the gap.

As i have two lights currently on the ceiling, should split the circuit up?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Do you have a metal stud grid fixed to you joists?
http://www.british-gypsum.com/produ...oducts/gypframe_studs/gypframe_acoustuds.aspx

 

[actionjackson]

How big is the bathroom and what wattage are the lamps?

Bathroom is 4m x 1.8m. All lighting in the flat (2 bed) is supplied by a 6A MCB.

 

[actionjackson]

Do you have a metal stud grid fixed to you joists?
http://www.british-gypsum.com/produ...ypframe_studs/gypframe_acoustuds.aspx[/QUOTE]

Yes that could be it. How does it work then?

 

[ajrobb]

I have removed the old ceiling light and can feel a suitable gap between the ceiling plasterboard and joists and wondered if i can safely run T&E through it or should the cable be run in conduit?

I think there is something about keeping cables at least 50mm above the ceiling or protected by steel conduit/plate.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

How big is the bathroom and what wattage are the lamps?

Bathroom is 4m x 1.8m. All lighting in the flat (2 bed) is supplied by a 6A MCB.

That's not an answer to "what wattage are the lamps?"

Does it not occur to you that if you have to use 15 lights in a room 4m x 1.8m that maybe you're using lights which aren't actually designed to light up rooms?

Does the word "spots" not hint to you that what they do is to light up small spots, or produce light in the shape of a spot, rather than do the job of lighting up a room?

I will obviously notify the building council of my intentions in any case.

That'll be fun.

It's not only Parts B & P which apply to the work, it's all of the Building Regulations.

Part L is going to be a real problem, and as it's a flat and you don't have access from above then so will Part E, and of course the fact that it's a bathroom will make Part C yet another issue.

It seems an awful lot of aggro just to end up with a lighting system which doesn't work properly...

 

[actionjackson]

How big is the bathroom and what wattage are the lamps?

Bathroom is 4m x 1.8m. All lighting in the flat (2 bed) is supplied by a 6A MCB.

That's not an answer to "what wattage are the lamps?"

Does it not occur to you that if you have to use 15 lights in a room 4m x 1.8m that maybe you're using lights which aren't actually designed to light up rooms?

Does the word "spots" not hint to you that what they do is to light up small spots, or produce light in the shape of a spot, rather than do the job of lighting up a room?

I will obviously notify the building council of my intentions in any case.

That'll be fun.

It's not only Parts B & P which apply to the work, it's all of the Building Regulations.

Part L is going to be a real problem, and as it's a flat and you don't have access from above then so will Part E, and of course the fact that it's a bathroom will make Part C yet another issue.

It seems an awful lot of aggro just to end up with a lighting system which doesn't work properly...

Sorry lamps are 50W. I haven't though about how many i will install - just that i have 15 available.

Can you please explain then if this job can be done successfully and pass the regs/inspection - I'm fine with the hard work. If not i obviously wont bother.

I have seen new build flats with spots fitted so i thought it was possible.

 

[flameport]

If this is a flat with no access from above, the only compliant way to install these lights will be to build another completely separate ceiling below the existing one, and fit the lights into that.

Cutting lots of holes into the existing ceiling can't possibly comply with building regulations for a whole load of reasons.