Most homeowners are still unsure about the usefulness of fire rated downlights. When considering whether you want to buy or install them keep one thing in mind: fire rated downlights are a safety feature designed to stop the spread of fire from one floor to another. Safety conscious homeowners should remember this fact when deciding their lighting options.
Fire rated downlights work by expanding when heated, thereby sealing off the fixtures in which they are installed, slowing the spread of fire and maintaining the ceiling's fire integrity. To achieve this, fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands at high temperatures. Most jurisdictions around the world have minimum basic fire safety regulations that cover lighting fixtures and building materials, and fire rated downlights are designed to meet or exceed them.
Installing any form of recessed lighting lowers the fire integrity of the ceiling. Recessed lighting such as downlights has to be installed into holes cut into the ceiling. These holes allow for fire to spread much more quickly, which in the case of a ceiling made from timber beams can be extremely dangerous. On the other hand, ceilings made from stronger materials with higher temperature ratings like concrete can withstand the flames for longer, and do not need to be fitted with 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.
Fire rated downlights are important on the lower floors, but not absolutely necessary in upper floor ceilings where the only thing overhead is the roof space. There are many other advantages fire rated downlights have, though. For one they offer enhance moisture protection as well as greater 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.
Fire rated downlights work by expanding when heated, thereby sealing off the fixtures in which they are installed, slowing the spread of fire and maintaining the ceiling's fire integrity. To achieve this, fire rated downlights are made from a special material that expands at high temperatures. Most jurisdictions around the world have minimum basic fire safety regulations that cover lighting fixtures and building materials, and fire rated downlights are designed to meet or exceed them.
Installing any form of recessed lighting lowers the fire integrity of the ceiling. Recessed lighting such as downlights has to be installed into holes cut into the ceiling. These holes allow for fire to spread much more quickly, which in the case of a ceiling made from timber beams can be extremely dangerous. On the other hand, ceilings made from stronger materials with higher temperature ratings like concrete can withstand the flames for longer, and do not need to be fitted with 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.
Fire rated downlights are important on the lower floors, but not absolutely necessary in upper floor ceilings where the only thing overhead is the roof space. There are many other advantages fire rated downlights have, though. For one they offer enhance moisture protection as well as greater 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.
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