Testing services for recessed downlights

Builders must have confidence that a completed ceiling will satisfy the requirements of Building Regulations with a specific downlight fitted for them to use the product within their development. They need robust, and independent test evidence to confirm this.

BRE’s laboratories can provide independent testing of downlight products to demonstrate their suitability for use in the ceiling where it forms part of the separating floor between flats and the ceiling which separates a home from its loft space.

Our experienced technicians can provide a tailored testing service, fully managed on site and our purpose-built laboratory provides a swift and cost-effective solution for the testing required.

What we test

We establish compliance with the regulations of the current approved documents as part of the Building Regulations 2010. That means we test to:

• Approved Document C: Resistance to contaminants and moisture (airtightness).

• Approved Document E: Resistance to the passage of sound (acoustics).

How we can help

We carry out UKAS-accredited sound insulation testing of downlights in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 and BS EN ISO 10140-3. This is to satisfy the Robust Details Appendix F acoustic performance requirements, for use with Approved Document E to The Building Regulations.

• Airtightness testing of downlights in accordance with BS EN 13141-1:2004 to Approved Document C of the Building Regulations 2010.

• Technical reports providing evidence of the performance.

What’s next?

If you’re interested in our testing services, please enquire online and we’ll get back to you.

Our process works like this:

1. When the plan is agreed, we issue a technical fee proposal for you to sign.

2. The product(s) under test are shipped to BRE.

3. We set up and carry out the testing programme.

4. We send the technical report with the results.