WO2007110662A1

WO2007110662A1 - Fitting protector

Info

Publication number: WO2007110662A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Tsang
Original assignee: Magenta Group International Corp
Current assignee: Magenta Group International Corp
Priority date: 2006-03-27
Filing date: 2007-03-23
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-27
Also published as: GB0605954D0; GB2436673A; GB2436673B

Abstract

Fitting Protector The present invention provides a light fitting protector (1) for use with a (5) light fitting that extends through an opening in ceiling material into a void therebehind. The fitting (22) has spring arms (30) for locating it in the opening in the ceiling material, and the protector comprises a main body (2) which locates within the void around the fitting. The protector will pass through the opening in the ceiling material and is generally hollow cylindrical in shape, with an (10) upper end and an open lower end, into which a rear part of a fitting will locate. The protector is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material. Locating apertures (9,10) are formed through the main body of the protector, and the spring arms (30) of the fitting (22) will extend through these when the fitting protector (1) is located on the fitting, to permit (15) location of the fitting in the ceiling and to hold the main body in position with respect to fitting. The protector also includes a cap (4) attached to an upper region of the main body, which covers the upper end and is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material.

Description

Fitting Protector

The present invention relates to a fire-proof fitting protector for use around an electrical fitting extending through ceiling material in to a ceiling void. In particular the fitting protector according to the present invention is a one piece design that may find a supplementary use in preventing insulating or inflammable materials within the void from coming into contact with recessed fittings that normally operate at elevated temperatures.

Several types of fitting, particularly recessed light fittings, extend into ceiling or roof voids, and the fitting of these requires the breeching of the ceiling material. This adversely affects the fire resistant properties of that ceiling material and so it is advantageous and in some cases required that the overall fire retardant properties of that ceiling be maintained. This can be achieved by providing a protective fire resistant backing around that fitting that will in the event of a fire ensure that the overall fire retardant effect is not diminished. Such fire hoods, as they are often known have been previously suggested in a number of configurations and may include intumescent material adapted to swell and seal the hole when the temperature climbs to a threshold temperature.

Whilst there have been previous suggestions for devices that provide the function of a fire hood, these have all up until now suffered from distinct disadvantages. Some can not be located around the light unless access to the rear of the void was available - so these could not be inserted (as the light is) from below through a hole formed in the ceiling material. Others, whilst being insertable from below, use complicated and/or unsatisfactory mechanisms to get them through the holes and to fix them down the ceiling material. Furthermore many prior art protectors are of a fixed size and are unable to be used with differently sized fittings or, in those limited cases where it is possible, they cannot be inserted though the hole cut in the ceiling material for smaller fittings.

In respect of some recessed fittings, particularly light fittings, there can in normal operation be a significant localised temperature increase, which heat needs to dissipate. Also the fitting should generally not be allowed to come into contact with insulating material (or other inflammable material that may be in the void) as this itself is dangerous and can lead to fire or damage.

It is therefore desirable to provide some form of protector that is usable with a range of differently sized fittings, is mountable from below through an opening formed in the ceiling material to mount the fitting, and is easily fitted to the fixture and/or ceiling material from below. An additional aim of the present invention to provide a protector that can also guard or shield the fitting from any insulation material in the void.

Therefore according the present invention there is provided an electrical fitting protector for use with a fitting that extends through an opening in ceiling material into a void therebehind and which fitting has spring arms for locating it in the opening in the ceiling material, said fitting protector comprising:

- a main body which: - is adapted for location within the void around that part of the fitting which extends into the void;

- will pass through the opening in the ceiling material from below;

- is generally hollow cylindrical in shape, and has an upper end and a lower end, which lower end is open and into which a rear part of a fitting can be located;

- is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material;

- locating apertures formed through the main body, through which the spring arms of the fitting will extend, when the fitting protector is located on the fitting, to permit location of the fitting in the ceiling and to hold the main body in position with respect to fitting;

- a cap attached to an upper region of the main body, which cap covers the upper end and is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material.

As used herein the terms top, bottom, upper, lower (and other terms whose meaning is relative to the orientation of the fitting protector) are used to refer to the situation in normal use where the protector is mounted vertically behind a generally horizontal ceiling with the fitting at a lowermost end of the main body, and the rest of the main body extending upwards behind the ceiling material. Clearly the present invention may be mounted in sloped ceilings and indeed walls and in those contexts the definition remains the same, even if the lower end (i.e. the end into which the fitting locates) is no longer actually below the rest of the main body.

It is feasible for the fitting protector to be formed in a particular set size that is able to accommodate a range of differently sized fittings. Obviously if it is too large it may not locate properly around the fitting and may not readily pass through the hole formed in the ceiling material. Clearly one can make a range of differently sized protectors to suit, but to avoid this it is preferred that the protector is able to accommodate a range of different fittings. Therefore it is preferred that the diameter of the main body is adjustable. The height of the fitting protector may also be independently adjustable. It is also possible to form the protector from a material that has a degree of resilient deformability, so that it may be squeezed through a hole that is slightly too small.

The fitting protector may be formed in a variety of ways, but is has proved advantageous to form it from a generally planar sheet of material that has been curved round into a cylinder. The sheet, which would before curling be generally rectangular, would have opposed free edges that are brought together as the sheet is curved into a cylinder, which edges shall be referred to as axial fee edges. The other edges, whether free or connected to another component would curve round to define generally circular circumferential edges at the upper and lower ends of the main body. The diameter of a main body formed from a sheet curved round into a cylinder can be adjusted by varying the amount of overlap of the axial free edges of the sheet. A direct abutment of the free edges would produce the largest diameter main body, and ever increasing overlap would decrease the diameter. The main body may be held at a particular diameter by its location in the ceiling material or by the connection to the fitting, but it is preferred that a mechanism to interconnect the axial edges of the sheet is provided. A suitable interconnecting mechanism could include one or more of; two-part hook-and-loop fasteners provided on the overlapping parts, inter-engaging lugs and slots, adhesives and other mechanisms as would be known to the skilled man.

An alternative way of providing a diametrically adjustable main body to the fitting protector is to have an effectively continuous cylinder, wherein there are no axial extending free edges, as these are joined. Instead and axial- extending adjustable and flexible z-fold region is formed at one point by a pleat in the cylinder, and adjustment of the diameter of the main body is achieved by varying the degree of overlap of that z-folded region. As such a region varies the effective axially extending fold lines will move closer together as the diameter increases or further apart as it decreases. Similar interconnecting mechanisms can be used to hold an overlapping part (or outer bight) of the z-fold against the part of the main body that it overlaps, thus fixing the diameter. Cooperating two-part hook-and-loop fasteners, are particularly preferred. As mentioned above the main body may also be provided with length adjusting means - i.e. a mechanism for altering the distance from the lower edge of the main body to the upper edge. One preferred way of achieving this is to have a main body comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve telescopically mounted with respect to each other. The cap would be attached to the upper circumferential edge of the sleeve which is uppermost when extended. The outer sleeve is usually the uppermost, moving relative to the inner sleeve which is connected to the fitting and engages with the spring arms. Clearly it can be the other way around, and more than two telescopic sleeves can be present, as long as the lowermost one is fixed down by the spring arms of the fitting.

Where the main body is formed from more than one sleeve, it is still preferred that all of these are able to be reconfigured to alter the diameter of the main body. For example, in the circumstance where the main body is formed from a sheeted curved round in to a cylinder, or where it is continuous but has a z-fold, each part of the composite main body, i.e. inner, outer and other sleeves are also similarly or complimentarily formed. These can then all simultaneously alter regardless of the vertical relative disposition of the parts.

The cap is preferably attached to an upper region of the main body, and more preferably to the circumferential edge at the upper end of the main body. The cap, when so attached to (or integrally formed with) a variable diameter main body, needs to accommodate that change in effective area. Preferably the profile of the cap alters when the diameter of the main body changes. Such a change in profile might in a simple form encompass a non- uniform upward distortion as the diameter of the main body decreases.

Preferably the cap is generally conical and the conical angle varies as the diameter of the main body alters. When at maximum diameter the conical angle could be essentially 180°, i.e. effectively flat, but generally even at that point it would have some upward conical form. The adjustable conical nature of the cap could be achieved in a similar fashion to, and simultaneous to, that of the main body. Simplistically a radial cut in a planar piece of material forming the cap could permit a varying degree of overlap in a conical cap as the diameter alters. Minimum overlap (including zero) would be at maximum diameter, and a larger area of overlap (the area obviously being a varying sector of a circle) would occur as the diameter increases. As with the main body the adjustable overlap could be in the form of a variable z-fold.

During normal use the fitting protector may advantageously need to dissipate heat generated by the normal operation of the fitting. Therefore it is preferred that vent holes are provided in the cap and or main body to permit such normal heat dissipation of heat from during. There may be any sensible number or arrangement of these vent holes, but a plurality of small diameter vent holes formed in the cap has been found advantageous.

Electrical cables needs to reach the fitting to supply power etc. These cables can pass under or otherwise through the protector, but advantageously they pass through a cable orifice provided in the main body or cap.

The main purpose of the fitting protector is to provide a fire proof cap over a fitting, which in the event of a fire will seal the opening made in the ceiling material, to ensure the fire retardant properties of that ceiling are not diminished. To this end the main body and cap are wholly or predominantly formed from intumescent fire-retardant material. In addition to this they may include other fire-proof or fire-retardant materials such as silicate cloth and metal sheet/foil/mesh. When fire occurs below the fitting, perhaps even caused by that fitting, the temperature within the fitting protector will rise. The present invention is intended to work at a raised temperature and indeed may be configured to dissipate heat out the top, but a fire will cause the temperature to rise above a threshold temperature. At this point the intumescent material in the main body and cap will expand rapidly to many times its original size and will seal the breech in the ceiling material behind the fitting. Any openings such as vent holes, cable orifices, joins or seams will be sealed by this expansion as will any openings resulting from a diameter-varying design. In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, several embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section along lines X-X;

Figure 3 is an opened out view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing the cap separated from the main body;

Figure 4 shows a vertical cross-section view of the first embodiment and a light fitting around which it is connected ready for insertion in to a hole in a ceiling;

Figure 5 shows a similar view of the first embodiment now located in the ceiling;

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through a second embodiment of the present invention with a height adjustment feature; Figure 7 shows a vertical cross-section through a taller third embodiment, that is otherwise similar to the first embodiment, mounted in a ceiling;

Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-section through a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a vertical cross-section through a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a cross-section along line Y-Y. Referring initially to Figure 1 to Figure 5, there is shown a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of fitting protector, which shall conveniently be referred to as a shield, is generally indicated 1.

In Figure 1 the shield is shown in perspective. The shield 1 comprises a generally tubular main body 2 having an open lower end 3 and an upper end covered by a cap 4.

The cap 4 and main body 2 are formed from a flexible laminate of silicate cloth 5 and intumescent foam. In the lower part of the main body 2 a three layer construction of silicate cloth 5 sandwiched between an inner layer of intumescent foam 7 and an outer layer of intumescent foam 6 is preferred. In the upper part and in the cap 4 this is shown without the outer layer 6 of intumescent foam.

In the upper region of the main body 2 and the cap 4 there is provided a plurality of vent holes 8 (only some of which have been numbered) through which heat generated during normal operation of the light fitting contained within the shield 1 can be dissipated. Such vent holes would be sealed during a fire as a result of the rapid expansion of the intumescent foam 6.

In a lower region of the main body 2 a plurality of three-sided cuts 9 are formed through the wall. These define tongues 10 which, as described later, may flex out of the way to allow the spring arm of a light fitting located within the shield 1 to pass therethrough. Also formed at the lower end of the main body 2 is one or more circumferentially extending slit 11. These can be used with certain other types of spring arm arrangement that have a second spring arm formed at approximately 90° to the main spring arm (that deforms a tongue 10). This second spring arm could pass through this slit and would locate between the fitting and the ceiling material.

The main body 2 is formed from a generally flat sheet of laminate

(which, as described above, comprises intumescent foam layers and silicate cloth layers), and this is curved round to form a tube with the free ends 12 and 13 connected together by tabs 14 on one side locating in slots 15 on the other part.

Figure 2 is a cross-section though the laminate along the line X-X showing the insertion of a tab 14 into a slot 15. Figure 3 shows the shield 1 in a somewhat deconstructed form with the free ends 12 and 13 separated and the laminate laid flat. The circular cap 4 is shown disconnected, although in practice it is actually integrally connected to the upper edge 16. As can be seen in Figure 3, this embodiment of shield can be made in a variety of different tubular diameters. In addition to the first set of slots 15, second and third sets of slots 17 and 18 are also provided. By overlapping the free ends 12 and 13 and inserting the tabs 14 the effective diameter of the resultant main body can be altered. This alteration in effective diameter will affect the cap 4 which will distort upwards as the diameter decreases.

The cap 4 is provided with a cable orifice in the form of a slit 19. Wires leading to and from the light fitting would pass through this slit 19.

The shield 1 is generally self-supporting due to a sufficient degree of structural rigidity within the main body 2 and cap 4. However, in order that the quantity of material used to form them can be kept to a minimum, reinforcing pieces 20 can be connected to the outside of the main body 2. Similar or indeed differently configured pieces could be adapted to provide enhanced lateral stability to the shield, particularly before insertion of the light fitting. These pieces would bear on the upper surface of the ceiling material. Figure 4 shows recessed light fitting generally indicated 22 mounted in the protector 1 . In this view the light fitting 22 which is connected by wires 23 to a transformer 24 and hence the electrical system is shown outside the ceiling before final positioning. The wires 23 extend from the transformer 24 through a generally circular opening 25 that has been cut or otherwise formed in ceiling material 26. In this embodiment the ceiling material comprises a generalised construction of two layers of plasterboard 27 and 28, and an external skim of plaster 29.

The light fitting 22, which has opposed spring arms 30, is located within the shield 1 with the spring arms 30 passing through opposed three-sided cuts 9 in the main body 2. In practice this is achieved by bending the spring arms upwards relative to the light fitting 22 such that they adopt a more generally vertical configuration. These may then be inserted in the open lower end 3 of the main body 2 and then allowed to return (usually under the tension of the spring) to the lower position with the outer ends of the spring arms 30 deforming the tongues 10 outwards temporarily such that the spring arms pass therethrough. Given that most spring arms in actual fact comprise separate but parallel fingers extending outwards and interconnected at the outer end by a crosspiece, the tongue 10 will usually flex back to its generally vertical position (between the fingers of the spring arm) once the arm has passed out as it will generally approximately match the usual separation of the fingers of a standard spring arm 30.

As best shown in Figure 5 the light fitting 22 and shield 1 combination is then inserted into the opening 25 in the ceiling material 26, the shield 1 being approximately the same diameter as the circular opening. Once inserted the lower part of the shield is disposed between the light fitting and the cut ends of the first and second layers of plasterboard and extends upwards into the ceiling void 31 around the rearmost part of the light fitting 22. Whilst it is not necessary for the material of the shield 1 to be disposed across the cut ends of the plasterboards 27 and 28, this is advantageous because it ensures they are sealed and hence their fire integrity is further improved. What is more, the complete capping effect of the shield around a light fitting ensures that there is no break in the fire retardant properties of the ceiling material 26. Insertion of the light 22 and shield 1 combination requires the spring arms of the light fitting to again be bent upwards such that the arms pass through the circular opening 25 and are then allowed to return under tension to bear upon the upper surface of the first layer of plasterboard 27. The spring arms then pull the light fitting upwards such that a circular flange 32 bears against the outermost surface of the ceiling material (i.e. the external skim of plaster 29) fixing it and the shield 1 in place.

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through a second embodiment of the present invention in which the main body comprises a generally tubular inner sleeve 35 with open upper and lower ends. Telescopically mounted to the upper part of the inner sleeve 35 is a generally tubular outer sleeve 36. The upper end of the outer sleeve 36 is covered by a cap 37 similar to the cap 4 described above and including vent holes 8, and a cable orifice 38.

The outer sleeve 36 telescopically slides around the inner sleeve 35 in order to vary the effective height of the protector so that a larger fitting can be accommodated. An additional reason for increasing the height is to provide a larger vent space behind the fitting and, if necessary, to reach above the layer of any insulation provided within the roof void. It is feasible for the inner and outer sleeves to be a tight friction fit with each other such that the friction between the outer wall of the inner sleeve and the inner wall of the outer sleeve is sufficient to hold them in place at the desired extension. In this embodiment however guide pins 39 extend through an upper part of the inner sleeve 35 into elongate vertical receiving slots 40 extending up the outer sleeve. Movement of the outer sleeve 36 relative to the inner sleeve will cause movement of the receiving slots 40 around the guide pins 39, thus preventing inappropriate rotation or over-extension.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment that is very similar to the first embodiment described. In this embodiment the main body is not of variable height as in the second embodiment but is instead of an increased length (as compared to the first embodiment) either to accommodate a larger fitting or, as discussed, to provide a larger vent space. In this embodiment the shield, which is generally indicated 43, and the main body 44 are still tubular but of a longer axial dimension. Other parts have been given like reference numerals.

It is also possible, although not shown in the accompanying drawings, to provide the shield with an upwardly-extending member that can be used to support a transformer or other electrical component well above the light fitting. This allows a component such as a transformer to be placed above insulation material, if that has been placed around or over the shield. The upwardly- extending member may be a telescopic arm or otherwise stowable arm that may be selectively extended as required.

In many situations it will be desirable to connect the fitting protector to a light fitting prior to insertion of that combination through a hole in the ceiling material into position. However, it is also possible to position the fitting protector in place in the hole in the ceiling material prior to then inserting the fitting into the protector and the ceiling. Indeed, it is also possible, where access behind the ceiling material is available, to insert the fitting from the opposed side of the ceiling material prior to placement of the light fitting. In the situation where the protector is to be located in the ceiling material prior to connection of the fitting, it is advantageous that some form of additional fixing mechanism be provided to hold it in place prior to the location of the cooperating spring arms of the light fitting.

Figures 8 and 9 show fourth and fifth embodiments respectively of the present invention, which in each case have additional mechanisms for attachment to the ceiling material before insertion of a light fitting.

In Figure 8 the fourth embodiment of fitting protector generally indicated 46 has at the lower end of the main body 47 a generally annular flange 48 extending outwards. This annular flange 48 bears on the outer surface of the ceiling material, in this context the external skim 29, and prevents over-insertion of the fitting protector through the opening in the ceiling material. Higher up the main body clamping pieces 49 are mounted for vertical sliding, and once the fitting protector 46 has been inserted into the ceiling material these may be slid downwards to bear upon the upper surface of the first layer of plasterboard 27 (or whatever inner surface of the ceiling material is found) to prevent the fitting protector 46 from falling back out through the opening in the ceiling material. In this version the clamping pieces 49 are held in place by friction. Alternative mechanisms for clamping the fitting protector on to the ceiling material may be provided.

In Figure 9 the fifth embodiment of fitting protector generally indicated 51 is in other respects very similar to the first embodiment, however it is provided with lateral tabs 52 extending outwardly from the main body. These lateral tabs are provided with holes for receiving screws 53. In this view the screws 53 are mounted from below through the first and second layers of plasterboard 27 and 28, the head of the screws being covered by the external skim of plaster 29. In situations where access to the rear of the ceiling material is possible clearly one could instead screw downwards from the other direction.

In each of the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 the fitting 22 would be inserted from below and the spring arms would again pass through the main body to hold down the protectors.

Figure 10 shows an alternative sixth embodiment that is somewhat different from the previous embodiments described. The sixth embodiment of shield shown in Figure 10 is generally indicated 60 and overall has a generally cylindrical configuration with a cone-shaped cap. The generally cylindrical main body comprises a lower inner sleeve 61 and an outer sleeve 62 which is telescopically and snugly mounted upon the upper part of the inner sleeve 61. This permits vertical adjustment in the length of the main body. Reinforcing vertical side pieces 63 are provided on the outer surface of the inner sleeve 61. Appropriate formations (not shown) on the outer sleeve 62 co-operate with these vertical side pieces to guide the telescopic vertical movement and to hold the outer sleeve in the desired position relative to the inner sleeve 61.

In this drawing no light fitting is shown and the fitting protector 60 is not shown mounted in ceiling material. However, it would function in a generally similar way to that described above in respect of the previous embodiments and, as can be seen, a plurality of three-sided cuts 9 forming tongues 10 are present at the lower edge of the inner sleeve 61.

This embodiment of shield 60 is also adapted for diametrical adjustment. Both the inner and outer sleeves 61 and 62, and indeed the cap 64, have diameter adjusting means. It is possible, as discussed above, for the inner sleeve, outer sleeve and cap to be formed from generally planar sheet material which is curved round having free edges brought together. The degree of overlap of those free edges may be used to control the diameter of the main body and, in respect of the cap 64, the conical angle. In this embodiment, and as best illustrated in Figure 11 (which is a partial cross- section along line Y-Y), a vertically extending flexible Z-fold is formed by a pleat in the material of an otherwise continuous tubular inner and outer sleeves.

The material of the sleeves (or indeed the cap) is folded back to define an outer fold 66 and an inner fold 67. Between the inner and the outer fold is a return piece 68. The positions of the outer and inner folds are dynamic not set and may be varied dependent upon the degree of overlap which is to be achieved. The material of the protector has sufficient flexibility, particularly within this area, to allow these dynamic fold lines to be altered as desired. As the fold lines move further apart or closer together, the size of the return piece varies. Clearly in a large diameter shield 60 the return piece may be small or, in fact, non-existent (with no folds being formed). As the effective diameter of the shield decreases the amount of overlap will increase, as will the size of the return piece. As the size of the return piece increases the separation of the inner and outer folds 66 and 67 will also increase. Provided on the inner faces formed by the overlapping fold are the hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro ™) parts 69 and 70 of a two-part hook and loop fastener that can be used to fix the fold at the desired location. In the cap 64, variation in the diameter will (as discussed above) cause an alteration in the shape of the cone. In practice, a decrease in diameter will cause a decrease in the conical angle θ and therefore a cone that is taller and narrower. Conversely, an increase in diameter will also increase the conical angle tending to shorten and broaden the cone. In addition to the specific designs discussed herein, many other designs incorporating the inventive nature of the present invention could be created.

Claims

1 . A light fitting protector for use with a light fitting that extends through an opening in ceiling material into a void therebehind and which fitting has spring arms for locating it in the opening in the ceiling material, said fitting protector comprising:

- a main body which:

- is adapted for location within the void around that part of the fitting which extends into the void;

- will pass through the opening in the ceiling material; - is generally hollow cylindrical in shape, and has an upper end and a lower end, which lower end is open and into which a rear part of a fitting can be located;

- is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material; - locating apertures formed through the main body, through which the spring arms of the fitting will extend, when the fitting protector is located on the fitting, to permit location of the fitting in the ceiling and to hold the main body in position with respect to fitting; - a cap attached to an upper region of the main body, which cap covers the upper end and is at least partially formed from a fire retardant and/or intumescent material.

2. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 1 , in which the diameter of the main body is adjustable.

3. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the main body is formed from a generally flat sheet of material that has been curved round into a cylinder, the sheet having opposed axial free edges that are brought together as they the sheet is curved.

4. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 3, in which the main body is formed from a sheet curved round into a cylinder and the diameter of the main body is adjusted by varying the amount overlap of the axial free edges of the sheet.

5. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 3, in which the main body is a continuous cylinder and an axial-extending adjustable and flexible z-fold region is formed at one point, and adjustment of the diameter of the main body is achieved by varying the degree of overlap of that z-folded region.

6. A fitting protector as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, in which cooperating two-part hook-and-loop fasteners, are provided to interconnect different parts of the main body to hold it at a chosen diameter.

7. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the main body is provided with length adjusting means to alter the axial dimension of the main body.

8. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 7, in which the main body comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve telescopically mounted with respect to the inner sleeve, the cap being attached to the upper edge of the sleeve which is uppermost when extended.

9. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the cap is attached to the circumferential edge at the upper end of the main body.

10. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the profile of the cap alters when the diameter of the main body changes.

11. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 10, in which the cap reversibly deforms upward in a non-uniform way as the diameter of the main body decreases.

12. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 10, in which the cap is generally conical and the conical angle varies as the diameter of the main body alters.

13. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein vent holes are provided in the cap and or main body to permit dissipation of heat from the fitting during normal operation.

14. A fitting protector as claimed in claim 13, in which a plurality of small diameter vent holes are formed in the cap.

15. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which there is further provided, in the main body or cap, a cable orifice through which wires to the fitting will pass.

16. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the main body and cap are formed from fire-retardant material selected from silicate cloth, metal and intumescent foams and sheets.

17. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the main body and cap are formed from a laminate of silicate cloth and intumescent foam.

18. A fitting protector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the main body will pass through the opening in the ceiling material without substantial deformation or distortion thereof.