Is there a cheaper alternative to loft caps??

[danielle3110]

We are fitting downlights that will penetrate to loft space and to satisfy building regs need to fit loft caps but there so expensive! Is there a cheaper alternative that will also satisfy building regs?
Thanks

 

[alfiembra]

Seen them advertised for around £40 for a pack of 5 not a lot for peace of mind.

Here's some useful info

Flameguard Downlighters

The Flameguard system is a means of installing low voltage or mains voltage downlighters with integral fire and acoustic properties negating the need for expensive and awkward to install fire protection covers.

All new build or conversion premises have to have fire-rated ceilings. The fire rating is a measure of the amount of time that a ceiling can hold back a fire before it spreads to the floor above. A fairly typical fire rating for a ceiling is 60 minutes. Of course, when you cut a hole in a ceiling to fit recessed lighting, you immediately compromise that ceiling's fire rating. The gaps within the light fitting will now be that ceiling's weakest point. Flames, smoke, and heat, will find that gap and pour through it, spreading the fire to the floor above. In order to solve this problem any holes cut for recessed downlights need to be covered with a fire protection cover. Several types of fire protection covers are now available - the woven cloth types and fully intumescent 'caps' which simply drop over the fitting. Flameguard Downlights represent a step forward in fire protection and negate the need to fit these expensive protection covers.

Once installed all Flameguard protected downlighters offer long term protection, immediately and guaranteed. There is no need for secondary inspection to ensure that the fire seal is in place. It is an integral part of the downlighter and requires no further action over and above the installation of the downlighter.



http://www.fireservice.co.uk/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t3493.html




Alan