Rockwool Insulation and spotlights????

[Screwed]

Hi there,

we live in a flat and to add some sort of soundproofing I have added Rockwool under the floor. Downstairs have spotlights though, do I just avoid the spotlights or is there a casing I can put over them so as to avoid any fire risk as they are very hot!!??

Thanks!

 

[masona]

I've been in many loft and have seen clay flower pot upside down! I think they are high temperature rated and a drain hole is ideal for ventilation but check with the electrician first for their advice. Re-post this again in Electric.

 

[Steve]

screwed, downstairs should have added fire hoods when they installed the lights. NO FIRE HOODS = NO FIRE PROTECTION between your flat and downstairs. It theirs goes up, so does yours. Get onto them about this. They have broken building regs here, could get the council onto them.

 

[Screwed]

oh blimey!!!!! This will be fun, the owners of downstairs are stuck up property investors who are awkward towards everything! Where do I get these hoods as I'll have to fit them from my floor (charge them obviously!!). Thing is, I want my carpet back ASAP!!!

 

[Steve]

electrical wholesalers sell them. about £10 each last time i looked. Get an electrician to fit them and have him send his bill to them with a letter detailing he has corrected non-compliant work undertaken by their contractors which put the flat above at risk.

 

[RF Lighting]

It depends when they had the spotlights fitted.

 

[Job_n_knock]

You'll need to tell them what you are doing first of course...and why.

 

[Screwed]

Yes I will discuss it with them first but they are a bit hostile (BTW, they don't live there, buy to let). The spotlights were fitted maybe three years ago when they originally bought the property and renovated it, even if this was before certain regs came in I would prefer to have them shielded.

Cheers everyone!

 

[dingbat]

If their presence reduces the fire containment properties of that partition between separate dwellings it matters not that the work was done before the inclusion of electrical safety in the building regulations. They will have contravened building regulations and fire regulations and put you in potential danger... not to mention committing a criminal offence.

 

[Screwed]

Have contacted them - as predicted they are saying that the hoods are only needed as we are putting the insulation down, otherwise they are not. Where can I find the regs or something to quote to them saying they should have hoods regardless as there is a risk between the dwellings??

Thanks everyone.

 

[dingbat]

Try reading Approved Document B.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115314110382.html

It's a bit of a tome to wade through, mind.

The Building Research Establishment are satisfied that downlighters do not compromise half-hour fire barrier ratings, but I believe that between dwellings the requirements are more onerous.

 

[Monsoon]

I'd speak to your local building control officer and ask his advice. Normally between flats have a couple of layers of plasterboard or equivalent between party floors. If you cut a hole in the board you compromise the resistance to fire between flats.

Fire hoods will bring the ceiling back up to a reasonable level again.

You mention you were trying to improve the sound insulation. The hole they have cut for the downlights will allow sound to pass straight through to your floor.

Either you/they will need to fit acoustic/fire hoods or use light fittings designed for the job http://www.snaplite.co.uk/

Your Rockwool will provide very limited sound insulation.