Firehoods for spots-worth it?

[indus]

Hi

I have spots in my first floor bathrooms, iirc they are fire rated. They were fitted professionally about 5 years ago.

I'm having my loft converted at the moment and before the floors get sealed up was wondering whether its worth adding firehoods to these?

I never had any insulation in my loft before and it worries me that these spots will be sitting right next to the insulation!

Thanks

 

[ricicle]

What do Building Control say about the matter ?

 

[indus]

What do Building Control say about the matter ?

There seems to be nothing on my BR approved drawings with relation to this matter and they have not been around yet to check anything yet.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Maybe asking them before the floors go down would be a wise move?

 

[flameport]

it worries me that these spots will be sitting right next to the insulation!

The insulation will have to be moved away - firehoods are NOT to protect the light fittings from insulation or anything else.

 

[indus]

Thanks. I'll check with BR and ensure the adequate space is left around the spots.

I take on board that the hoods won't protect the insulation from the spots, but is it worth fitting hoods to the spots anyway? Does it add any additional safety of any kind?

Thanks

 

[flameport]

Does it add any additional safety of any kind?

Their function is to impede the spread of fire, so that if there was a fire in the room with the lights, the fire won't go through the holes in the ceiling before the ceiling itself fails.

Whether this is an issue depends on if the ceiling is part of a fire compartment - in most houses it won't be, but the addition of a loft conversion is likely to change that.

Also note that although the lights may be 'fire rated' there are different ratings, likewise with the hoods.
More information here: http://www.jcc-lighting.co.uk/fireguard_ceiling_testing
and for other considerations: http://www.jcc-lighting.co.uk/why_you_need_fireguard
Obviosuly those are biased towards that manufacturers products, but the basic information is correct.

 

[indus]

Does it add any additional safety of any kind?

Their function is to impede the spread of fire, so that if there was a fire in the room with the lights, the fire won't go through the holes in the ceiling before the ceiling itself fails.

Whether this is an issue depends on if the ceiling is part of a fire compartment - in most houses it won't be, but the addition of a loft conversion is likely to change that.

Also note that although the lights may be 'fire rated' there are different ratings, likewise with the hoods.
More information here: http://www.jcc-lighting.co.uk/fireguard_ceiling_testing
and for other considerations: http://www.jcc-lighting.co.uk/why_you_need_fireguard
Obviosuly those are biased towards that manufacturers products, but the basic information is correct.

Many thanks for your time