Exterior Insulation Cladding

[Kili01]

The only house fire that I know of happened to one of my beighbours. He has a suspended ceiling made of plasterboard and there was insulation above this. There were also downlighters fitted. Apparently, when you have down lighters in a ceiling you are supposed to,leave the immediate area above and around each one clear of any insulation. In this case this hadn't been done corectly. So the downlighters got hot and a small fire started. Fortunately, the owners were still at home when it happened, so were able to put it out, but I think that the fire brigade still attended to ensure the fire was properly extinguished. It was an insurance job, but fortunately the building and contents were properly insured.
So, if you have down lighters fitted in a ceilings it is worth checking to see if they have been fitted correctly and safely. I am gradually changing the bulbs in my downlighters from Hallogen to LED which stays cool in use as well as being far more economical with electricity to run.
Dee

[trevnhil]

We hve a number of down lighters in our kitchen and a year or two ago my wife could smell burning.
We traced it to the down lighters and the wiring was burning with the heat from the bulbs.

Like Dee we changed all the bulbs to LED.. not cheap but better than having a fire in the false roof..

Trev..

[PaphosAL]

Totally agree- LED bulbs might be expensive, but they last for yonks, and are barely WARM to the touch! It's a no-brainer! Just choose Cold White (blueish) or Warm White (creamish).

I have one over my keyboard here in the office. Loveley bright light (shaded from my eyes)- when I feel the bulb holder section- stone COLD!

AL