(If you would like a more comprehensive 10 page booklet on Downlighter Protection then please email your address to sales@snaplite.co.uk  and we will be happy to send you one)

Associated Companies

Snaplite is manufactured by Electro-Technik Limited under license from Safe and Sound Lighting Limited (formerly FL Patents Limited)

Current Building Regulations  see also “What do the regulations say”

All recessed downlighter installations must be FIRE and ACOUSTICALLY PROTECTED to meet Building Regulations B, E and P. They must also be sealed to meet the requirements of Part C Air Leakage and Part L1A Air Tightness.

Snaplite

Introduced in 1997, Snaplite was the first downlighter to give inbuilt Fire and Acoustic Protection.

Patented operation

Fire

Snaplite consists of two main components, the bowl containing the lamp (bulb) and the bezel. There is a small gap between them to allow for the light adjustment. In the event of a fire, both expand and seal the gap. The lamp melts but is retained by a spring and forms a plug. The sealing effect is completed be the expansion of the bezels intumescent strip. Stainless steel springs ensure that the light fitting is retained in the ceiling. This provides a 30 minute fire rating. For 60 minutes, an outer shield is added to ensure that the fire does not penetrate between the two layers of plasterboard. For 90 minutes, the outer shield  clamps two stays in place to help spread the weight of the fitting over a larger area of plasterboard.

Acoustics

The shape of the bowl acts as a reflector  and the design of its internal gaskets gives Snaplite a very high resistance to sound. In fact,  the reduction in sound insulation was ZERO in the assessment to Robust Details Appendix F acoustic test.

Why low voltage?

Snaplite is available in both low voltage and mains. Low voltage is the preferred operating system because it is generally safer and give the opportunity to use lamps that reflect the heat from the downlighter back into the room. This means there in no build up of heat in the void and no fire hazard from inflammable materials stored in the loft.

Some mains types (GU10) can get extremely hot  causing a considerable increase in the void temperature resulting in overheating of the fitting. A greatly reduced lamp life is an indication of overheating.

Why one transformer per low voltage light ?

Transformers are available that can operate up to 3 lights but there is little commercial advantage and if the transformer fails then all 3 lights fail. Snaplite has been designed so that its transformer can be replaced through the bezel. This is a simple operation and prevents damage to the ceiling. The transformers are dimmable using leading edge dimmers.

Replacement Lamps ( see Fitting Instructions)

Lamp life is quoted as 3000 hours  but from our experience this tends to be a minimum. It is important that the correct replacement  lamps are fitted. A label at the rear of the fitting gives details of the lamp and its availability and this information is repeated on a consumer unit label. Each new home owner receives in their house pack an offer to receive two free replacement lamps. This style of reflecto lamp is now more available.

What happens if the wrong lamps are fitted ?

The fire and acoustic protection is not compromised in any way but the fitting runs at a higher temperature.

Operating under insulation

The ideal location for all downlighters is a well ventilated one. However with modern building requirements and the increased use of insulation for both noise and energy, this is not always possible.
Low voltage Snaplite and its transformer have been designed and tested such that they will operate together perfectly when covered by insulation. The transformer is supplied pre-cabled to a length of 0.5M and if possible should be located on top of the insulation. If this is not possible then place the transformer the maximum possible distance from the fitting. (Both items are sources of heat and placing them far apart minimises their effect on the void ambient). Avoid installations, such as flat roof extensions , where the lamp fitting and transformer are compressed by the insulation. The mains version has a spiral insulation stand –off which enables the 35 watt model to operate under insulation.

Air leakage and Air-tightness

Both types of Snaplite have been tested for air leakage at a pressure of 2Pa to meet the requirements of Part C and tested for air tightness at 50 Pa for the requirements of Part L1A. The results of University of Birmingham BRDL test SBR/0705 were

NHBC guidance for Downlighters in ceilings below roof spaces. Standards Extra 31 & 32.

With its low air leakage, its ability to operate under insulation and its low non-hazard rear temperature, Snaplite can be used directly in this application without  the need for external covers or boxes.

Part E Robust Details

An acoustic test is a comparison of the ceiling floor structure without any downlighters fitted and then the same structure with the lights fitted.

Four different measurements are required – two airborne and two impact

Airborne

Test1 Initial timber floor.               

Test 2  Initial timber floor plus downlighters

Impact

Test 3 Initial timber floor.           

Test 4  Initial timber floor plus downlighters

In each case, the difference in the airborne or impact sound insulation tests should be no worse than –1dB.

Table 4 Page 8 of BRE test report 223463 shows that , with differences of 0dB in each set of tests, fitting Snaplite results in a ZERO reduction in the sound insulation of the ceiling lining.

En-suite bathroom and other small room application – Snaplite has been successfully assessed at zero reduction at an installation density of 1.17m² of ceiling area at a minimum distance of 0.8m between lights.

Snaplite has been successfully assessed to appendix F Robust Details Handbook January 2005 for Timber, Concrete and Steel floors.

The other requirement of under Appendix F is that all downlighters must be of suitable integrity tom meet the appropriate Building regulations for Fire ( ie tested to BS 476 Parts 21 and 22). Snaplite has inbuilt protection tested  to these BS Parts.

Fire Tests

Snaplite has had a successful and comprehensive range of indicative and full fire tests covering various ceiling / floor structures. All these reports are available on a CD. The main tests are :-Building Test Centre
BTC 102424F BS 476 Pt 22 30 minute indicative
BTC 354 FA BS476 Pt 21 60 minute full
BTC 11619 F BS476 Pt21 30 minute indicative / comparative Eco Joist System

International Fire Consultants report on the above test highlights, in this particular application, the benefits of Snaplite (see page 2)

Chiltern International Fire IF00042 Pt 21 30 minute full – composite joists.

Loss Prevention Council TE 92663 Pt23 90 minutes full.

BS476 Part 20 covers the testing of ceiling floor structures
Pt 21 is for a load bearing wooden floor structure .
Pt 22 is for an unloaded wooden floor structure.
Pt 23 is for a suspended ceiling structure.

Fire Ratings of Downlighters

There is a growing misconception that a 90 fire rated downlighter is automatically suitable for a 30 minute application. Some 90 minute lights will fail the 30 minute fire test.

A 90 minute fire resisting floor is only required in tall buildings with a top floor between 18m and 30m above ground and therefore, the physical cold strength requirements of the construction will generally dictate that the structural members are larger in cross section than those used for 30 or 60 minutes. Also the linings on a 90 minute floor are invariably of a 3 layer gypsum board construction. These physical requirements would be reflected directly into the structure being used for the fire test.

It is the installers responsibility to ensure that the downlighter being used has had a separate 30 minute or 60 minute fire test and that the supplier confirms this.

Smoke

Regulatory guidance does not require smoke tightness from light fittings but if, as a result of their low air leakage, they can add to the life safety qualities of a building then this is a very welcome benefit.

IP Rating

Snaplite has an IP rating of 54. Bathroom lighting regulations are complex, dividing the room into zones and providing a guide as to what level of water resistant protection the light should achieve per zone.

Zone 0 – Inside the bath or shower tray itself. Any luminaire fitted in this area must be low voltage and be rated at least IP 67 , which is totally immersion proof.
Zone 1 – The area above the bath or shower tray to a height of 225cm from the floor. A minimum rating of IP 44 (splash proof ) is required for lights fitted here.
Zone 2 – The area stretching 60cm  outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 225cm from the floor. Again a minimum rating of IP 44 is required.
Zone 3 – Anywhere not covered by the other zones and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating is required here.

In area of high humidity, such as saunas, it is advisable to use lights that are IP65 (jet proof) rated.
Generally, outside Zone 0 , installers use IP44 or above throughout the room and for safety use low voltage types.

Lath and Plaster Ceilings

An outer shield, ref FS-OS, is available that takes up any irregularities in the cut out and provides a clean anchor for the downlighter retaining spring.

A summary of where protection should be fitted

They must also be protected to meet the new build requirements of

NHBC – Downlighters in ceilings below roof spaces. Standards Extra 31 & 32

Robust Details -  Fire Protected and Acoustic Performance Assessed to Appendix F Timber Separating Floors. Handbook January 2005.

Manufactured under license from Safe & Sound Lighting Ltd by
Electro-technik Limited
Units 10 – 12
Shaw Lane Industrial Estate
Stoke Prior
Bromsgrove
Worcestershire B60 4DT

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