Do any electricians know if I need to fit fire hoods to 12v downlights fitted between ceiling and boarded loft space?

When you read the instructions it does state you need about 6 inches of space around them, and make sure the insulation can not fall onto them.

Building control were happy with all mine.

Del

I'm pretty sure you dont if it is not a living space as with the first floor.

You can buy spot lights with a fire retardent pad built in which would keep the cost down as the fire hoods are around £8.00 to £10.00 each.

Do any electricians know if I need to fit fire hoods to 12v downlights fitted between ceiling and boarded loft space?

You probably should but we have 87 downlights in our house without a single hood. Incidentally do not underestimate how hot they get, we have scorched beams from the heat so probably should do something about it !!!
Before people moan too much they were already in situ when we bought the house and I have been meaning to do something about it.

personally i would also make sure there is no insullation around the light or transformer as the heat will trip the thermal cut out in the transformer and they wont work

I think part P stipulates new installations have to have hoods but not ones that were already installed before the new regs.

IMO it's worth gettin them covered though, as you say they do get V hot and do constitue a fire risk

Save all the time and aggro by fitting Fire rated downlights, the price for these has plumeted recently and they are now only a pound or so dearer than standard.

See link

Classic Low Voltage Adjustable Downlights (http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Downlights_Index/Classic_Adjustable_Downlights/index.html)

These will also need 'coolfit' lamps.

I do belive that the fire hood or likewise are required, wether its a living space above or not, the point is to slow the spread of fire, a standard boarded and skimed ceiling has a half hour rating, with out fire hoods this is greatly reduced, which could lead to the ceiling/roof colapsing much sooner adding to the risks involved to the people trying to put the fire out.

I do belive that the fire hood or likewise are required, wether its a living space above or not, the point is to slow the spread of fire, a standard boarded and skimed ceiling has a half hour rating, with out fire hoods this is greatly reduced, which could lead to the ceiling/roof colapsing much sooner adding to the risks involved to the people trying to put the fire out.


Exactly, the intended point of firehoods is to prevent spread of fire, not to isolate heat from the light fitting. :thumb:

Obviously with halogen downlighters, one has to make sure they are using the right bulbs with Aluminium reflectors; NOTE: Dichroic bulbs should be avoided as they dissapate more heat through the fitting.