I came in at a rather late stage in the project where a old office building is being converted into a hotel. The wiring for the lighting was mistakenly routed above the compartment ceilings in the floor void above. The ceilings then had a small number of recessed downlights which were fire rated at 90min. The arrangement has been rejected by Building Control as there is no test evidence for the composite. So be careful when going for similar arrangements! I imagine recent serious fires are beginning to have an impact on the way regulations are interpreted.
This is interesting, as I think there are quite a few buildings where fire rated plasterboard was used but have quite large holes with downlights and other things coming through it.
Less than a year ago on one ceiling I have used the new LED down lighters that are only about half an inch deep and are surface mounted on the show side of the board, and nary a murmer from building control at that point. Still there is a small hole where the wiring comes through, but that can be sealed more easily.
I'd be very keen to hear what this building control dept are happy with, as others note, a general focus on better fire compartmentalization seems to be on the cards - and given the state of some places it is needed.
This is interesting, as I think there are quite a few buildings where fire rated plasterboard was used but have quite large holes with downlights and other things coming through it.
Less than a year ago on one ceiling I have used the new LED down lighters that are only about half an inch deep and are surface mounted on the show side of the board, and nary a murmer from building control at that point. Still there is a small hole where the wiring comes through, but that can be sealed more easily.
I'd be very keen to hear what this building control dept are happy with, as others note, a general focus on better fire compartmentalization seems to be on the cards - and given the state of some places it is needed.
