More completed successful compliance checks with I-joists

13 products have  been assessed for use with Staircraft i-Joists and 4 have been tested for use with Steico I-joists. Solid Timber Joist Certification has also been achieved with 34 products at 30 and 60 minutes, and 24 achieved at 90 minutes.

Web Joist testing is underway and results will be available and published in the near future. View all tests

The National House Building Council (NHBC), the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for UK house-building for new homes, last year stated that steps should be taken to ensure that fire rated downlights are compliant with -Joists being used in new build homes. To offer clarification of an approved installation, appropriate assessment or testing is required for a specified i-Joist based floor construction and ceiling together with a specified recessed downlight.

Construction within residential buildings has changed from the installation of C16 and C24 softwood timbers, which are the most common used within the UK, to that of constructing upper floors using factory-built timber i-Joists, which are also known as i-Beams. These i-Joists are timber versions of the RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist), comprising a top and bottom timber flange combined with a tall vertical OSB (Orientated Strand Board) web. As the newly used i-Joists are manufactured using less material, they can experience a quicker burn through time which is why it is essential that the ceilings are tested for use with specific fire rated downlights.
 

Fire-Rated Compliance

It is essential to understand the complexity of testing that fire rated downlights are exposed to in order to comply with the regulations regarding minimum periods of resistance.

With regard to a solid timber floor construction, having undertaken a single test for a single time duration does NOT mean that the product is suitable for all 30 / 60 / 90 minute duration applications. For the product to be fully compliant in all 30 / 60 / 90 minute installations, three separate tests of 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes are to be carried out with luminaires installed into the appropriate ceiling/floor construction type for which the relevant test certification is to be provided.

With regard to an engineered floor construction, the installation of timber i-Joists provides a strong engineered solution of lighter weight, which in addition to a high strength-to-weight ratio, allows for easier transportation and reduced installation time on site. The main advantage is that they can be installed in greater lengths, allowing for open plan applications without the need for columns or central beams. It is crucial to ensure that when installing fire rated downlights, in a floor constructed with i-Joists that an independent authoritative body approved assessment has been made ensuring  compliance for the combined system of joist, plasterboard and downlight has been carried out  as an engineered floor construction now the favoured construction method in many UK new builds and extensions.
 

Features & Benefits - Fire Rated Downlights

• Aurora Lighting is renowned for the reliability and experience as a market leader in fire rated downlights, making them the installers and wholesalers first choice;
• The range includes a variety of integrated and GU10 fire rated downlights offering a solution for every application;
• The popular mPro has a convertible design making it suitable for use in shallow ceiling voids;
• The range is insulation coverable up to 300mm offering a safe installation;
• Fully tested and certified for 30, 60 and 90 minute ceilings offering peace of mind for all installations; The E6Pro features RapidWire connection system for fast and efficient installation on site;
• EnFiniti lens fills 100% of the aperture for maximum light output and sparkling clean, aesthetic appearance