How much clearance for halogen downlights?

[tolyinoz]

I want to install halogen downlights, but upon cutting a whole in the ceiling have discovered that there's only 3.5cm clearance between the plaster and the steel deck above. Whilst I know that the downlight and electronic tansformer will fit, is this too close? Is there a fire danger due to heating of the plaster ceiling?

[jok11n]

I want to install halogen downlights, but upon cutting a whole in the ceiling have discovered that there's only 3.5cm clearance between the plaster and the steel deck above. Whilst I know that the downlight and electronic tansformer will fit, is this too close? Is there a fire danger due to heating of the plaster ceiling?

not sure if there's a definitive answer but if you're concerned about heat (understandably) perhaps consider replacing the globes with LED instead, they run way cooler than halogens, they cost more but I think from a safety point of view at least the cost could be justified, they also cost a lot less to run

[mudcrab]