The Advantages Of Fire Rated Downlights
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.
Not all downlights are fire rated - when buying downlights make sure you know what kind you're buying. Fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands when heated, causing them to swell up and completely seal in their fixtures in the event of a fire. This helps stop the fire from easily spreading to the upper floor. Most jurisdictions around the world have fire safety laws that cover single family homes and buildings - making the use of fire rated downlights imperative for maintaining their ceiling's fire safety rating.
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).
Even though fire rated downlights are a little more expensive than the non fire rated ones, the additional safety features and compliance with various Building Regulations brings unparalleled peace of mind.
Not all downlights are fire rated - when buying downlights make sure you know what kind you're buying. Fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands when heated, causing them to swell up and completely seal in their fixtures in the event of a fire. This helps stop the fire from easily spreading to the upper floor. Most jurisdictions around the world have fire safety laws that cover single family homes and buildings - making the use of fire rated downlights imperative for maintaining their ceiling's fire safety rating.
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).
Even though fire rated downlights are a little more expensive than the non fire rated ones, the additional safety features and compliance with various Building Regulations brings unparalleled peace of mind.
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.