What most homeowners don't realize is that fire rated downlights are not just for decorative purposes - they are also designed a fire safety measure to prevent the spread of fire from a lower floor to a higher one. Homeowners should consider the safety implications of fire rated downlights before thinking about having them installed.
Most jurisdictions around the world have basic fire safety requirements that cover such things as light fixtures and a ceiling's fire integrity. Fire rated downlights are made to comply with all fire safety building regulations. Fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands when heated, completely sealing the hole in the event of fire and slowing down the upward spread of fire.
Recessed lighting such as downlights must be installed in holes cut into the ceilings. This hole reduces the ceiling's fire integrity as it gives fire a new path from which to escape and spread. This is especially problematic if the ceiling is made from timber beams which can catch fire and collapse in a matter of minutes. Structures made from materials like concrete, however, have much higher temperature ratings and do not need fire rated downlights.
A typical family home with ceiling beams spaced 600mm apart will have a fire safety rating of 30 minutes. Essentially this means that the entire ceiling structure will have to remain stable and stave off the fire for about a half hour; enough time for the family to vacate the burning house or for the authorities to show up and extinguish the flames.
Although fire rated downlights are necessary in the lower floors to maintain structural integrity and prevent the spread of fire into upper floors, the upper floor ceilings themselves don't need their downlights fixtures to be fire rated. That being said, there are still many advantages of installing fire rated downlights besides just fire protection. Fire rated downlights are rated for moisture protection (preventing the spread of damp) as well as acoustic resistance (noise reduction).
At first glance fire rated downlights are more expensive than regular downlights - but keep in mind that fire rated downlights brings with them a whole host of safety features as well as Building Regulation compliance.
Most jurisdictions around the world have basic fire safety requirements that cover such things as light fixtures and a ceiling's fire integrity. Fire rated downlights are made to comply with all fire safety building regulations. Fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands when heated, completely sealing the hole in the event of fire and slowing down the upward spread of fire.
Recessed lighting such as downlights must be installed in holes cut into the ceilings. This hole reduces the ceiling's fire integrity as it gives fire a new path from which to escape and spread. This is especially problematic if the ceiling is made from timber beams which can catch fire and collapse in a matter of minutes. Structures made from materials like concrete, however, have much higher temperature ratings and do not need fire rated downlights.
A typical family home with ceiling beams spaced 600mm apart will have a fire safety rating of 30 minutes. Essentially this means that the entire ceiling structure will have to remain stable and stave off the fire for about a half hour; enough time for the family to vacate the burning house or for the authorities to show up and extinguish the flames.
Although fire rated downlights are necessary in the lower floors to maintain structural integrity and prevent the spread of fire into upper floors, the upper floor ceilings themselves don't need their downlights fixtures to be fire rated. That being said, there are still many advantages of installing fire rated downlights besides just fire protection. Fire rated downlights are rated for moisture protection (preventing the spread of damp) as well as acoustic resistance (noise reduction).
At first glance fire rated downlights are more expensive than regular downlights - but keep in mind that fire rated downlights brings with them a whole host of safety features as well as Building Regulation compliance.
About the Author:
Net Lec sell quality fire rated downlights from their online store. With their extensive range of fire rated downlights available, finding what you are after is easy.
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