Downlight Regulations

No requirement other than to comply with the Building regulations.

Good practice is - Habitable room/space above? Then you should be restoring the fire rating of the ceiling if holes are made for downlights by fitting fire rated items.

Building regs also deal with accoustic ratings too, but this is outside the scope of the wiring regulations.

Personally I fitted fire rated downlights regardless as to whether they are actually required or not, simply because they are easier to install, and you never know if someone will come along later and fit a loft conversion.

Thanks for the reply.  The eicr has come back with C2 for the downlights as they are not fire safe. 

They are installed in a pine clad false ceiling which is below the original lath and plaster ceiling.  Above that is the roof space. 


I am concerned that the eicr inspector is trying to generate work as he is already quoting for the remedial work. 


He is also saying that the plastic consumer unit (12 years old) needs to be replaced with a metal one... Another C2. 


Thanks again.

The down lights should be not code at all as the original ceiling is in place so no fire rated ceilings have been cut into.  Where is the consumer unit located ? If it is in a fire escape route, so usually by the door or maybe under the stairs that aren't plasterboarded out then it should be a C3 at worst. If not in a fire escape route it should not be coded at all.   Get the 'inspector' to quote the regulation he is coding from as he isn't following the industry standard.  


Go to the electricalsafetyfirst site and download best practice guide 4, it has a list of recommended codes


Gary

Here we go again! An innocent bystander might come to the conclusion that nobody does a competent EICR.


Plastic CU = C3 - not compliant with current regs, but not a danger per se.


Downlighters, outside the scope of BS 7671.

Not sure about out of scope.  They should be fitted safely and installed correctly.  So not too close to timbers or some shouldn't be covered as could cause a fire risk.  Breaching a fire barrier ceiling with non fire rated lights (not in this case) is not suitable for the location they have been installed to me so worthy of a C3 .



Gary

Many thanks for the responses. 


I will take a look at the guide mentioned and the recommendations for the codes. 


It appears that the inspector has been over zealous maybe. 


Maybe I should get another eicr done by a different person...? 


Thanks again 

Dave

Yes good practice to have fire safe downlights.  So if I decide to change them all to fire safe units is it OK for me as a DIY guy to do the work or is it notifiable and requiring a certified electrician?

Thanks again 

Dave

How many down lights are there?

A competent person, including yourself if you are can replace them.  A certificate is not required for replacement or maintenance  although i would strongly recommend you check that the earthing to the lights is satisfactory .  Some fire rated lights are class one.   As these lights are in a false ceiling below the original ceiling there is no issue.