Led Downlights Roof Insulation

The loft lid is a simple solution for the safe installation of downlights in a loft space.

Led downlights roof insulation.

Kingspan insulation is such a high performing insulation that if you place a downlight or spotlight directly into it without taking appropriate precautions then there will be little chance for heat generated by the lighting to dissipate. This provides airflow to the led and will allow it to ventilate. 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. 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.

Hi all im a retired sparky and a bit out of touch with the regulations. When you re covering downlights with insulation it is important not to pack the insulation to close around the sides. Upgrade your ceiling insulation to compensate for the lost warmth. As you ve no doubt guessed non fire rated led downlights cannot be covered by insulation directly.

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. 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. 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.

The insulation is thermoset which means it will not melt under the heat from the lights. There are a wide range of ic and ic f rated led downlights available on the market. Ic f rated downlights should be used in bathrooms and kitchens and homes with loose fill insulation. 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.

Replace old and ca rated ones with ic or preferably ic f rated led downlights that can be covered with insulation.