When downlights are installed in new domestic properties they are invariably subject to building regulations - these are legal requirements for which failure to comply can result in legal prosecution and ultimately imprisonment.
There are several sections which are influenced by their installation:
Part B: Fire Safety
The purpose of Part B is to ensure building structures provide adequate protection to personnel to allow the safe evacuation of a building structure/complex. The regulation has been a legal requirement since 1987.
The level of resistance required is proportional to the risk involved and the location of adjacent dwellings. For the domestic market, 30 or 60 minutes is normal, however under extreme conditions 90 minutes is required.
All Fireguard fittings are tested for 30, 60 and 90 minute ceilings.
Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound (acoustic standard)
In today’s modern society there has been a general increase in the levels of background noise. The evolvement of technical equipment and their associated power outputs coupled with noise from traffic and aircraft means that unwanted noise is on the increase.
This additional noise has increased stress levels which ultimately results in poor health and fatigue. The end result is loss of revenue to industry through absence. Consequently the Government has implemented changes to the building regulations to ensure that a reasonable amount of attenuation can be expected between partition walls and ceilings, not only between separate dwellings but also noise derived from within an individual residential area.
The special gaskets incorporated into the Fireguard design ensure that the criteria are met.
Part C: Site preparation and resistance to moisture
New building materials and associated construction methods are altering the way in which new properties are manufactured. There is a move towards breathable membranes for roofs; these replace traditional bitumen coated roofing felt and negate the need to provide ventilated eaves to roofs.
The material allows water vapour to permeate from the roof area out to the surrounding environment but remains impervious to external moisture. The material is much lighter and allows a roof to be completed at ground level and lifted into position on the dwelling, creating a water tight environment under which construction can continue.
For this reason the amount of moisture that can enter a cold roof void must be controlled; therefore anything which punctures the seal between the cold roof area and dwelling area must be considered. Light fittings and loft hatches are good examples of intrusions into the roof area that can facilitate the passage of moisture.
BS5250 which is referenced in Part C of the stipulates the permitted air flow per luminaire. (0.06m³/Hr/m² at a pressure of 2 pascals) for which Part L defines the testing criteria and total building envelope performance. The requirements are very demanding and care is needed to ensure compliance.
Fireguard downlights have been designed with special seals to inhibit the flow of air and moisture through the fitting as required by Part C of the building regulations. This has been widely enforced from 1st July 2005.
Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
The 2006 revision to Part L has added considerable onus onto lighting installations with a far more defined requirement for energy conservation. There is now a need for 1 in 4 downlights to be energy efficient. Where downlights are used in abundance, the need to find suitable locations for energy efficient luminaires becomes more challenging. Several options are available including the Fireguard Low Energy which is suitable for use along the communication routes and utility rooms. Another option is to have secondary energy compliant wall lights which can be switched separately from the main lights - once the compact fluorescent lamps are up to full brightness the main lights can be switched off.
Certifications
Click here to view the certifications for Fireguard.
