Terracotta pots over lights under loft insulation

[Mutley56]

hi all,

Want to top up loft insulation. Current insulation leaves the lights exposed in loft. I read terracotta pots can be used over lights and insulation laid over the top.

From the picture, is it clear that I can do this? I hope it shows enough detail.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Mutley56

 

[flameport]

That can be done. The purpose is to leave an air gap so that the lights do not overheat.

 

[Wayners]

The weight of the pots causes plasterboard to bow over time.
Fire rated lights can be covered with insulation. Read the spec for lights for further information

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks both.

Will need to see what the light spec is, they were installed 8 years ago now.

BW

 

[Mutley56]

Just thought, do you think the light’s fire rating will be printed in the light fitting somewhere?

 

[RandomGrinch]

...is it just me, or do those look like mouse droppings?

 

[Murdochcat]

These are very light and can be covered in insulation

Shop

Shop for Thermahood Airtight Downlight Covers - Square or Round to suit as required. Reduce Heat Loss & Draughts! Reduce risk of Condensation!

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[Wayners]

Mice are common. Mostly people don't know they are there.
Yeah. Look at light markings for information

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks again for the advice. Thankfully not mouse droppings, they are dead flies! No dead mice or chewed cables seen I’m pleased to say.

Am I better to drop a light down into the bathroom to read what’s on it or look from above in the loft?

Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Murdochcat]

Thanks again for the advice. Thankfully not mouse droppings, they are dead flies! No dead mice or chewed cables seen I’m pleased to say.

Am I better to drop a light down into the bathroom to read what’s on it or look from above in the loft?

Thanks in advance for advice.

Those lights need covers over them imho

 

[Makeitgo]

Looks like you have fairly deep joists enough for these. I wonder what the consensus is on these woven glass fibre hats:

Saxby FH150 Small Heatguard for Recessed Downlights

Saxby FH150 Small Heatguard for Recessed Downlights

Product Details With the increased use of downlights in ceilings, the integrity of the plasterboard and suspended ceilings is severely reduced. Intumescent downlight hoods restore the integrity required by British Standards and building regulations. The fireguards can be easily installed from...

tinyurl.com

 

[ericmark]

Mice are common. Mostly people don't know they are there.
Yeah. Look at light markings for information

Bat droppings are not a problem, as they contain mainly insects, mouse is another story, with LED the heat from lamps is not so much of a problem, but it will likely reduce the life of the lamps, most LED lamps has an electrolytic capacitor inside, and these have a limited life, which is less if they are hot.

 

[flameport]

Fire rated lights can be covered with insulation.

Fire rating and whether they can be covered with insulation are two different things.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Fire rated lights can be covered with insulation.

Not true.

Read the spec for lights for further information

That is correct, though. Some downlights can be covered over but you must check the MIs to check if those ones can be.

 

[phatboy]

I covered mine with plastic pots. Was easy to make a hole for the cabling.

(All LED, so limited heat)

Those lights look like the back of mine - Aurora Enlite EN-FD101W