The Queen’s Award Office statement
 Safe and Sound Lighting wins the Award for the continuous development of its range of Snaplite recessed downlighters with inbuilt fire and acoustic protection. The fitting of conventional downlighters requires holes to be cut into the ceilings causing serious degradations in fire resistance. The company’s innovation was a range of lights which retained fire resistance without requiring additional protection to be installed. As new building regulations on acoustic protection, condensation and heat loss were introduced, the company responded with further developments. The latest products in the range not only are accredited to deal effectively with fire resistance and sound insulation, but also prevent condensation and heat loss. Although not a regulatory requirement, they also seal against smoke progression adding to the life saving designs of domestic housing.
Snaplite is manufactured in the UK under license by Electro-technik Limited of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
Pioneered by Peter Jones of FL Patents Limited in 1997, Snaplite was the first domestic downlighter, possibly in the world, to have inbuilt fire protection. An awareness campaign was launched to highlight the need for downlighter protection and Snaplite’s development has led in meeting the changing safety and energy needs of Building Regulations.
Snaplite as a standard component meets all relevant Building Regulations and has become the industry benchmark for quality, safety, regulatory acceptance and innovation
The path to the Queen’s Award
| 1997 |
- Snaplite launched with prototype sales and sample marketing
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| 1998 |
- Snaplite becomes first down lighter range to have inbuilt Fire Protection
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| 1999 |
- Snaplite becomes first down lighter range to have inbuilt Fire and Acoustic Protection. Heavy period of investment
- Four Fire Tests, 30 minutes load bearing, 30 minutes and 60 minutes conventional joists.
- 90 minutes suspended ceiling.
- One IP Test ( to meet bathroom regulations)
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| 2000 |
- Development and fire testing in a range of structures continues to ensure that the range meets the needs of both the new energy regulations and the new
construction materials being introduced.
- Local Authority Building Control System Type Approval received.
- DTI Smart Award granted.
- One new composite joist Fire Test.
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| 2001 |
- Direct Sales Agent appointed. A marketing consultant, part of the networking team, launches the awareness campaign.
One new Eco Joist Fire Test
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| 2003 |
- Influenced the inclusion of down lighters in Ensuring Best Practice for Passive Fire Protection in Buildings ( part of the Governments Best Practice Programme)
- Appointed Training Affiliate of the Association of Building Engineers
- One Airborne and Impact Acoustic Test
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| 2004 |
- Influenced the inclusion of down lighters in the July introduction of Building Regulations Part P, which became effective from January 1st 2005
- Air leakage testing and the development of a new seal to meet the proposed
regulatory requirements of The Loss of Useful Heat and The Transfer of
Condensation into the open roof space. Further testing to ensure that the new
requirements of Continuity of Insulation would be met.
- Winner of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Innovator of the Year Award.
Top Product of the Year Award by the “Professional Electrician and Installer”
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| 2005 |
- Snaplite becomes the first down lighter to be successfully assessed to Robust Details Appendix F Timber Separating Floors.
- Successfully re-assessed later for high installation density in a Robust Detail Structure
- Successfully assessed for sealing against the progression of Smoke.( Smoke through light fittings is not covered by regulatory guidance but any addition to the life safety features of a building is a very welcome benefit).
- Registered CPD ( Continuous Professional Development) Presenter status achieved.
- New web site launched giving more advice and detail to the industry and to the homeowner.
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| 2006 |
- Further one hour Fire Test
- Further One Hour Test
- April 24th Queen’s Award - Peter Jones presented to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
- July 10th Queen’s Award Presentation at Buckingham Palace
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The Queen’s Award is the highest award that a company can win |
Alan Rogers, Caroline Scott and Anthony Ottway being presented to
the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. They also had the pleasure of meeting the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy.
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