'Normally flammable' surfaces

[garethg]

Ready to be shot down in flames again.

Was at a DIY shop the other day, and decided it would be nice to replace the lights in the bathroom. Checked that the light fitting selected was suitable for the position, it was over 1m away from the shower cubicle in the ceiling, so 'safe zone 3' was not even required.

Inside the box however, it was noted on the instructions (which I guess many people don't read):

Not suitable for direct fitting to a normally flammable surface

So I tried the advice line on the packet. After 5 days and no response at any of the times I tried, I went back to the DIY store, and their 'experts'.
No-one was able to quantify what a normally flammable surface is.

I returned the product.

Now, I think that most residential properties have either chipboard or plasterboard in most rooms. I would consider these to be flammable, at least, if you held a lighter or heat source to them, they could catch fire.
As my ceiling was chipboard, with a paper covering, I certainly believe that this was not suitable.
I think that the warning should have been made visible on the outside of the packaging.
(in the end, I have opted for an 'energy saving fitting', which states it is suitable for a normally flammable surface, but unfortunately does not support dimming).
Could someone define what a normally flammable surface is? I tried to find online some information, but to no avail.
Thanks,
Gareth

 

[rssteve]

so a sheet of plasterboard is flammible?

 

[RF Lighting]

Could someone define what a normally flammable surface is?

Usually wood.

Plasterboard, concrete, brick etc are non flammable.

 

[securespark]

On products like this, there is usually an "F" inside an inverted triangle. If that "F" has a cross through it, it is not suitable for mounting on flammable surfaces. If it hasn't, it is.

Plasterboard is used to give 30 minutes fire protection, so I would say it is not flammable.

But chipboard is. Are you sure your ceiling is chipboard?

Or do you mean your ceiling is covered in woodchip wallpaper?

 

[garethg]

so a sheet of plasterboard is flammible?

I thought so, powerdery substance, encased often in a paper outer. I thought it would catch fire if a heat source is held to it. To the same extent as a piece of pine anyway.

 

[garethg]

But chipboard is. Are you sure your ceiling is chipboard?

Or do you mean your ceiling is covered in woodchip wallpaper?

Without physically snapping a piece of the ceiling to check, it would appear to be made of either MDF or chipboard. From the outside, it appears to be the same make-up as the 2'x5' chipboard panels used as floorboards for the room above it (which I have taken up). However, when I just chiped a small lump out, (from the floor above) it appears higher density like MDF.

On the ceiling side, it is wall-papered, which is peeling off (being a bathroom, I wonder why?) leaving areas of the wood exposed.

There was that symbol on the internal packaging of the light fitting (with a cross through it), there was no similar marking on the outside.
Thanks for the clarification,
Gareth

 

[NotHimAgain]

You need "BS 476-7:1997 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products"

A snip at £80.00 from BSI

 

[mattylad]

Or free from your local library if you can log in to BSOL via it

 

[garethg]

Or free from your local library if you can log in to BSOL via it

Local library is a van which comes around once a week, so I don't think so somehow!
Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[mattylad]

I just downloaded it...

 

[ebee]

Don`t forget plastic ceilings too.
Horrible things!