Loft Insulation - order of works and consideration for lights etc

ashe

The builder doing our bathrooms has suggested that we get our loft insulated as said what is up there is fairly light. We'd like to board it out, and have a new permanent ladder installed as our boiler is up there. No need for fully boarded, just a little additional storage basically. 

We've arranged a well recommended local firm to come and give us an overview of what is needed, but they only do insulation. Am sure they will tell us when they come but wanted to just double check to ensure we have the best information;

1) Have read that loft legs are the best way to support the boarding area. Do we need to get the legs installed first, then get the insulation laid down, and then get the boards put in?

2) How does it work for access to existing pipe work or electrical work? for example builder has installed some downlights in the bathroom and en suite and we have some in the dressing room. These are "meridian fire rated GU10 downlights" and looking at the instructions it says "Luminaires not suitable for covering with thermally insulating material"

All our GU10's are LED based so presume very low heat emitted - is this just a failsafe against people using halogen style GU10s that heat up a lot? If not. how would loft insulation work with these?

Thanks!

FreeBear

When boarding & insulating my loft, the legs went in first.Much easier to see where the joists are and get the screws in the right place. Next, roll out the insulation & fit between the legs, finally, put the boards in place & screw them down. Got minimal pipes up there for header tanks, so access is not a concern.

ashe

Thanks - Surveyor just came out and we are getting quote within 2 days. He told us absolutely fine to roll the insulation out over the LED downlights as not hot like Halogen, but am seeing conflicting advice around this online. Presume they are expects but at the same time the surveyor is likely just a salesman and I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless anyone qualified can tell me otherwise!

travis-powers

What I do for the electricians on new builds is fit offcuts of skirting board across rafters where there is downlighting,
first roll of insulation goes between rafters and over skirting leaving space over light

Chickereeeee

ashe said:

Thanks - Surveyor just came out and we are getting quote within 2 days. He told us absolutely fine to roll the insulation out over the LED downlights as not hot like Halogen, but am seeing conflicting advice around this online. Presume they are expects but at the same time the surveyor is likely just a salesman and I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless anyone qualified can tell me otherwise!

As I understand it, the problem is more to do with maintaining the integrity of the ceiling as a fire barrier (I.e. a possible fire in the room below) rather than overheating the lights. Having lots of holes in a plasterboard ceiling allows fire to spread MUCH more quickly. Fire-rated downlighters maintain this integrity, as do/should most types of downlighter covers. 

(Edit: I am not qualified, but looked into this when doing our loft)

ashe

Chickereeeee said:

ashe said:

Thanks - Surveyor just came out and we are getting quote within 2 days. He told us absolutely fine to roll the insulation out over the LED downlights as not hot like Halogen, but am seeing conflicting advice around this online. Presume they are expects but at the same time the surveyor is likely just a salesman and I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless anyone qualified can tell me otherwise!

As I understand it, the problem is more to do with maintaining the integrity of the ceiling as a fire barrier (I.e. a possible fire in the room below) rather than overheating the lights. Having lots of holes in a plasterboard ceiling allows fire to spread MUCH more quickly. Fire-rated downlighters maintain this integrity, as do/should most types of downlighter covers. 

(Edit: I am not qualified, but looked into this when doing our loft)

The comments I've seen say that being fire rated and not needing ventilation are separate and they should be fire rated to slow spread of fire but that even units with LED's do require some ventilation space 

Chickereeeee

ashe said:

Chickereeeee said:

ashe said:

Thanks - Surveyor just came out and we are getting quote within 2 days. He told us absolutely fine to roll the insulation out over the LED downlights as not hot like Halogen, but am seeing conflicting advice around this online. Presume they are expects but at the same time the surveyor is likely just a salesman and I'd rather be safe than sorry, unless anyone qualified can tell me otherwise!

As I understand it, the problem is more to do with maintaining the integrity of the ceiling as a fire barrier (I.e. a possible fire in the room below) rather than overheating the lights. Having lots of holes in a plasterboard ceiling allows fire to spread MUCH more quickly. Fire-rated downlighters maintain this integrity, as do/should most types of downlighter covers. 

(Edit: I am not qualified, but looked into this when doing our loft)

The comments I've seen say that being fire rated and not needing ventilation are separate and they should be fire rated to slow spread of fire but that even units with LED's do require some ventilation space 

This true.
Having said that, apparently some fire-rated downlighers allow insulation, others don't. So 'it depends'. See bottom of this link.

https://electriciancourses4u.co.uk/blog/what-are-fire-rated-downlights/

I think you would be more likely to shorten the LED lifespan than cause a fire, but my opinion is worth what you paid for it.