Lamps for fire rated low voltage downlighters

[jim]

The TLC catalog

(lower middle of page) only 4 LV Halogen lamps as suitable for LV fire rated downlighters - ie compliant with the latest Bld Reg.

Apparently the lamps need to be dichroic, with an Al reflector and a clear flat front lens so that heat & light are reflected forwards.

Is it correct that these are the only options?

A Web search brought up Philips Masterline ES Energy Saver & Osram Decostar 51 Energy Saver dichroic, but neither appears to hold itself out as being for fire rated downlighters.

TIA for any experiences.

[Andrew Gabriel]

No, lamps are either dichroic, or Al reflector. This fitting would appear to require Al reflector, to reflect the heat out of the front. These are now quite difficult to find in 12V versions (they used to be much more common).

Dichroic dump most of the heat out the back, and presumably this fitting isn't designed to cope with that. I could imagine it might trigger the intumescent fire seal.

Not suitable for this fitting.

[jim]

Thank you for your helpful reply, which leads on to the next Q - will installing fire rated LV downlighters take me down a dead-end? Sylvania seem to be the last manufacturer. What risk suitable bulbs will soon no longer be made?

What chance Philips etc will come in with new ranges soon?

TIA