Led Downlights Roof Insulation

Downlights with clear markings and supporting documentation showing ic f or ic may be abutted and covered with insulation.

Led downlights roof insulation.

However while the light may be safe to operate when covered the elevated temperatures resulting from lack of ventilation may in some cases reduce the expected lifetime of the product. Upgrade your ceiling insulation to compensate for the lost warmth. And leave at least 25mm insulation behind the light if this makes. Hi all im a retired sparky and a bit out of touch with the regulations.

The loft lid creates a protective barrier or cover over downlights ensuring loft insulation does not directly contact the light fitting and that there is sufficient ventilation around the light for heat dissipation. With the advent of led lighting insulating downlights with clearances of 200mm can now be a thing of the past as most led manufacturers now recommend less clearance of insulation. Insulating downlights using led lighting instead of the halogen variety from a safety perspective can become a legal issue when used with a combination barrier and it s critical to ask your led manufacturer whether they can be covered with a quality downlight cover. Building regulations part l compliance energy efficiency state that insulation should not be compromised without any reasonably avoidable gaps and should therefore remain continuous to achieve the required thermal benefits.

The insulation is thermoset which means it will not melt under the heat from the lights. A gap of around 75mm is usually recommended but can differ from each product. If you are not sure of the type you need check with a registered electrical contractor. This provides airflow to the led and will allow it to ventilate.

As you ve no doubt guessed non fire rated led downlights cannot be covered by insulation directly. Replace old and ca rated ones with ic or preferably ic f rated led downlights that can be covered with insulation. The loft lid is a simple solution for the safe installation of downlights in a loft space. Ic f rated downlights should be used in bathrooms and kitchens and homes with loose fill insulation.

Building control will allow me to put led downlights in my cold roof providing i do not cut all the way through the 125mm of loft insulation cellotex.