FEATURE LIGHTING THE DOWNLIGHT DILEMMA
The installation of downlights is becoming increasingly popular. However, there are some misconceptions regarding their installation and performance. Here, product manager at HellermannTyton, Steve Slater, dispels the myths
the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) notes that being covered in thermal insulation or other material is reportedly one of the main reasons for downlights posing a fire risk.
O
ffering a gentle, even and shadow- free ambience, downlights are fast
becoming the lighting of choice for many. They are cheap to run, have a long life and provide a discreet fitting for the environment. The steady rise in LED lighting mean that downlights can provide big savings in energy consumption and installation space. However, installers may not be aware that there are some concerns with these fittings that need to be taken into account - loft insulation for example, which presents a potential fire hazard. LEDs produce less energy so therefore,
are less susceptible to overheating, right? Well, in fact, while LED lights are cool to the touch on the light face, the electronics installed inside at the rear get very hot. Overheating leads to a shorter life span and can create a fire risk. No matter how energy efficient it claims to be, a downlight still needs to be protected from overheating due to the sheer nature of its environment - it will be surrounded by plaster, insulation and other combustible materials found in ceilings. Contrary to popular belief, fire rated downlighters can not be covered with thermal insulation without compromising the airflow around the light fitting. Therefore, it is essential that installers are aware of the safe options available when it comes to fitting each light fixing. On the market there are a number of products that offer safe alternatives to covering the downlight. A fire resistant cap over the downlight can halt both the spread of fire through the opening made for the downlight and prevent potential fire from the downlight itself. However,
18 OCTOBER 2014 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
ALTERNATIVES Very often, when installers fit downlights, the thermal insulation is cut away around the fitting to prevent overheating that could cause a fire or reduce the life of the light. Removal of thermal insulation solves the overheating problem, but this action reduces the energy efficiency of the building, as heat is either lost or gained through the uninsulated areas of the ceiling. Part L of the current Building Regulations, requires continuity of insulation to be maintained so as to maintain energy efficiency of the building. Typically the depth of blanket type insulation is 270mm, yet without the loft space being completely covered, heat loss in a house through the roof is typically 25%. By cutting away the insulation, the downlight fitting is breaching the integrity of thermal insulation and does not comply with Part L, rendering the energy saving qualities of the downlight itself irrelevant. It seems, therefore, that installers
have a dilemma. Do they risk the downlight overheating and cover the fitting or do they opt to cut away vital insulation to eradicate the fire risk? The
Left, right and below: HellermannTyton’s SpotClip prevents potential fire risks, while complying with Part L of the Building Regulations
solution is actually very straightforward, inexpensive and easy to fit - a four leg ceiling brace design.
SPOTCLIP HellermannTyton’s SpotClip mounting device has been specifically designed to address the issues discussed. Allowing airflow around the fitting, the brace design resolves the concerns regarding insulation, acting as a barrier and ensuring a safe distance between the downlight, the insulation foil and roof insulation. Well suited for use with either closed or open back downlights, the SpotClip prevents potential fire risks, while complying with Part L of the building regulations. Easy to handle, the mount works by fixing the supply cable to the cable clip and squeezing it together to insert into the pre-cut hole in the ceiling. Automatically locking into position, a mechanical fixing is achieved when pushing the retaining spikes into the ceiling material. The development of SpotClip will help to put the concerns of fire risks to rest. It has the ability to act as protection for the light and for the insulation, without the installer having to compromise on safety or energy efficiency. The consequences of not taking effective action during installation can be serious, costly and potentially life threatening, so is it worth the risk?
HellermannTyton
www.hellermanntyton.co.uk T: 0161 945 4181
Enter 220 / ELECTRICALENGINEERING
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