Posted By Sally Pritlove
I'd like some advice regarding a query put to me. We have suspended ceilings throughout our building above which is the ceiling void. The tiles are fire rated. This is completely open plan with no compartmentalisation at all. The down lights are suspended in the ceiling and are 11 watt. I've had a look in the 2000 Buildings Regs part B Fire Safety and can find nothing specific regarding the need to have intumescent hoods on the fittings within the ceiling void. Does anyone know please? The building is being completely rewired, gradually and is a low fire risk.

Many thanks

Posted By Simon Walsh.
I agree with Robert, however you may, if you wish install smoke detectors in the ceiling void which will warn of a smouldering fire from a lighting unit. You usually find that such detectors have a small indicator light fitted in a visable area which illuminates when the detector has been activated.

Posted By Lwood
On first thoughts I was in agreement with the two previous posters. However, I think it is worth a few further questions before leaving it as:

Firstly, is the 'ceiling as described in the original post, if it is the ceiling/floor of a room above we are now looking at the fire protection requirement of those tiles being part of the protection to the floor above. Are there support beams for floors and roof areas directly above the tiles?

Secondly, is there sufficient barrier to other areas from this ceiling void.

To get a fuller and more acurate answer you may need to expand further.

L