Halogen spotlights, problem with ceiling?

dodgy_damo

Ive had a few Sparkys round to quote for a rewire.
I want halogen spotlights in the living room, 6 in all in 2 rows of 3 on a double dimmer switch. And similar in the kitchen.
Trouble is one sparky said that if the celings were old (wooden slats and plaster) I cant have them! This isnt a problem in the kitchen as I've put up a new ceiling.
But the ceiling in the lving room is the old type. He mentioned its a fire risk. He was the only sparky out of 6 to mention it! Can I get a second opinion?

kitchen_buff

The sparky is right about the slatted ceiling. Halogen lights get hot. make sure when you do do it that you mains halogen lights not low voltage transformer lights, these are for under and in kitchen units.
don't take down ceiling, baton out existing ceiling and plasterborad and skim it, bit more expensive but it will do the job.

dodgy_damo

Is there no type of spotight that I can put in this ceiling. I dont want to put up another ceiling. If so I may go for the type of halogen lights on a strip.

weekendwarrior

It's not the heat that is the problem it is the construction of the ceiling that is the problem.

It is almost impossible to cut the holes out without making a right mess of the ceiling.