Aico Firecap

If you make an opening in the ceiling of a fire separating element to install a recessed light fitting you must restore the ceiling's fire-stopping integrity. This is a requirement of both the Building Regulations and the IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition.

These days many electricians fit only fire-rated down lighters to make sure they comply but there are hundreds of thousands of down-lighters out there which have no fire protection. This presents a real danger because it will allow fire to spread from one floor to another in minutes. The whole fire resistance of the building fabric is compromised by all these unprotected holes in what should be a half hour fire check. Loss adjustors and surveyors are now picking up on this point. It should show up on a survey when a house or flat is sold and electricians are often called into rectify the problem. Even more serious is the very common situation in converted houses where the neighbour below has breached the fire barrier (against the covenant) of the ceiling with unprotected down-lighters and the neighbour above knows nothing about it. Often a clue is an increase in noise from below and the sudden emergence of cooking smells. It is also sometimes possible to see light shining through gaps in the floor boards.

The quick and easy way to rectify this breach of Building Regulations is to fit a Firecap such as those supplied by leading fire safety manufacture Aico. The Firecap is made from intumescent material which swells to around four times its size in a fire and effectively smothers the light sealing it for (in the case of Aico) up to 2 hours from the passage of fire. There is at present no requirement for this level of protection and it will outperform the fire resistance of the plasterboard ceiling. This gives the reassurance that the down-lighters, no matter how many, are not the weakest link in the fire protection system of the building.

Roger Bisby installed a number of Aico Firecaps to an existing installation and a new build to see how easy they are to fit.

Firecaps also help to cut down on noise transmission and stop mice from building nests next to the lamps. A common concern is the possibility of overheating. The Aico Firecap has ventilation holes and will not allow the build up of heat. Being non conductive it can also help prevent fires in circumstances where a householder has fitted too large a lamp for the fitting.

Roger’s verdict

Fitting these Firecaps into new installations was a very easy task and the level of protection is every bit as good if not better than fire rated down-lighters so there is no compromise in safety. As a retro fit you have to face the prospect of having to rewire the junction boxes in some circumstances but often on a single cable run the junction box can be slipped through the hole.

I also fitted a an Aico CFS 100 to the cooker hood duct which, if anything, is a more pressing breach of the ceiling than the lights. The hole through the ceiling looks a bit ragged because it clashed with a joist so I had to make it oval but the Firecap is also flexible so it just squeezed in around the duct. The internal area was reshaped but not reduced. This is such an easy job to do and it makes sure that something like a chip pan fire doesn’t spread through the cooker extractor.

Aico Firecap features:
• As flat or sloped roof waterproofing
• Global assessment accreditation for all common ceiling types and joist constructions
• Suitable for use with all commonly used lamp types including “cool beam” dichroic and aluminium reflector lamps
• For use with a wide range of mains and LV light fittings up to 270mm ø
• Easy to install from above or below the ceiling without requiring an accurate hole
• Can be fitted in seconds - no screws, drilling or additional sealant required
• Self supporting, flexible and lightweight
• Tested and approved for use on both plasterboard and suspended ceilings
• Fully ventilated to avoid over-heating of the light fitting
• Reinstates acoustic protection of the ceiling - items tested have satisfied requirements of Building Regulations Document E under test conditions
• When exposed to fire the intumescent fibre swells to over three times its original thickness to provide a highly effective fire-stopping seal
• Keeps all combustible material away from the hot light fitting (all makes, styles and sizes)
• Provides a high level of additional heat insulation to the ceiling void during a fire thus reducing the chances of ignition of accumulated dust and flammable materials
• Specially formulated high performance outer coating improves durability and minimises thermal convection
• Conserves energy - reduces heat within the room from escaping through the light fitting
• Multiple cable entry points on the side and top for ease of installation
• Fibres used are exonerated from classification according to HSE guidelines
• Rot, corrosion and vermin resistant
• Maintenance free
• Light fitting can be removed without disturbing the Firecap

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