tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18868733658856921342024-03-12T18:26:29.474-07:00Recessed Downlight AdviceFire rated downlight are designed to protect against the spread of fire. New LED technology makes them even more efficient. Read our blog to find out moreDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05809069520870455202noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1886873365885692134.post-84179714634581502192013-01-28T08:35:00.000-08:002013-01-28T08:35:00.970-08:00Can I lay insulation over a downlight?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A question we get asked quite often is 'can I lay insulation directly on top of a downlight'? Downlights are often installed in ceilings directly below loft space and consequently there is usually attic insulation directly above them. The temptation is there to simply lay the insulation over the units however this should never really be attempted. The heat generated by downlights (including fire rated) can be tremendous and with glass fronts on them they tend to vent their heat backwards. This can obviously create quite a dangerous situation when exposed to flammable insulation material. We've had people say 'but they're <a href="http://www.fire-rated.co.uk/240V-LED-fixed-downlights.html" target="_blank">LED versions</a> which are ultra cool' but the truth is that LED bulbs give off plenty of heat it is just all dissipated out of the back (it is why the backs of LED bulbs tend to be weird shapes to allow the heat to flow away) Some LED bulbs give off more heat from behind the unit than actual halogens! <a href="http://www.fire-rated.co.uk/240V-low-energy-downlights.htm" target="_blank">CFLs</a> radiate some heat too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have found the best thing to do is to either cut a portion out of the insulation to allow the downlight to sit in or to use straps between ceiling joists to support the insulation above the downlights so it is not resting upon them. </span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05809069520870455202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1886873365885692134.post-16791198500741259862013-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:002013-01-14T08:54:42.393-08:00Fire rated downlights don't only stop the spread of fire. They block noise pollution as well!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It should be remembered that Fire-rated downlights not only prevent a fire from spreading between 2 floors of a building but they are also designed to stop noise from passing from room to room as well. The actual correct name for these types of products are Fire & Acoustic rated downlights. The acoustic rating on the units helps prevent noise pollution within a building. This is quite useful in the home but when installed in a commercial property with living accommodation above they become a necessity. Imagine living above a shop or a cafe where there is a constant flow of customers below. If your home is like this then chances are the establishment below will have installed acoustic rated lighting. After all theres nothing worse for passing noise between floors than cutting holes in the ceiling. This type of product seals the holes allowing minimal noise to pass. If you are thinking of installing downlights in your home, especially below bedrooms, then it's highly recommended you check that the units you purchase are acoustic rated. All the recessed downlights on our website are currently both <a href="http://www.fire-rated.co.uk/" target="_blank">fire & acoustic rated</a></span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05809069520870455202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1886873365885692134.post-47481669851358832932012-10-10T14:36:00.002-07:002012-10-10T14:36:55.044-07:00A common misconception of fire rated downlights<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We speak with people everyday regarding downlights & one thing that always seems to pop in to conversation from time to time is the misconception that a downlight or recessed lighting is manufactured & given a 'fire rating' to stop the downlight itself causing a fire. Perhaps as the downlight may get so hot from the lamp inside that it may set fire to the ceiling? Or possibly there may be an electrical problem with the downlight that may cause a fire?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In actual fact when a downlight is classed as fire rated it is not to protect the fitting itself from causing a fire but actually it is designed to stop the spread of fire from one floor in a building to another. If a fire started in a ground floor room and intensified then standard recessed downlights in the ceiling would simply drop out leaving their holes exposed allowing the flames to spread through the ceiling to the upper level. Fire rated downlights have a layer of intumescent (fire retardent) material that seals the downlight to the ceiling. They also have a metal can at the rear that replaces the purpose of the older style intumescent material covers that would contain the fire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These types of products will also have a rating in minutes. Some are 60 minutes fire rated, others can be 90 minutes or maybe even more. This simply explains how long the unit can reasonably be expected to hold back a fire. They should certainly expect to withstand the flames in enough time for the fire brigade to extinguish the fire. Of course fire rated downlights are one way to stop a fire spreading but the best course is to avoid a fire in the first place. Take a look at the </span><a href="http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/advice-on-how-to-avoid-fires-in-the-home/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> by ukhomeimprovement that details some of the main causes of fire in the home and what can be done to prevent it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.fire-rated.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.fire-rated.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05809069520870455202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1886873365885692134.post-80369477126216388192012-10-05T07:06:00.001-07:002012-10-05T07:06:29.176-07:00What is a Fire Rated Downlight?<div align="center">
<strong><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a Fire Rated Down Light?</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">The first of our recessed downlighter blogs</span> <span style="color: blue;">is on the fundemental issue of what exactly is a fire rated downlight. We get many questions every day asking different questions so hopefully this will clear some of the confusion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly, a Fire Rated downlight does <strong>not </strong>mean that if the fitting catches fire it will not spread. This is probably the biggest misconception. We have never heard of a downlighter that has caught fire so this is a very rare instance which is probably due to the high level of checks and certifications the downlights need to have before they are put into production.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put simply, a Fire Rated downlight acts as a fire door between the room that is on fire and the upper floors above the room. Fire will take the easiest route possible to spread, therefore having 10 or so holes in your ceiling will help the fire spread quicker, a bit like having no fire doors in a property and letting fire spread from room to room quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What the Fire Rated Downlight does is act as a fire door, stopping the fire spreading to the floor above through the holes that the downlights sit in. Various makes and models have different times that they hold back fire for and the best ones are rated for 90 minutes. This means if there was a fire in the kitchen where the down lights were situated, the room above this would have protection from the fire coming through these holes for 90 minutes. This should be ample time for anybody to exit the building and the fire brigade to extinguish the fire.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>How do the Downlights become Fire Rated?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; color: blue; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="240V Fixed firerated downlights" height="157" src="http://www.fire-rated.co.uk/fixed-large.jpg" width="200" /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture on the left shows a Fire Rated downlight. The two clips on it are what holds it into the ceiling. The can on the back will hold off the fire for 90 minutes. As well as this (although not pictured) there is an intumescent material circle around the lip of the downlight that would be pressed between the ceiling and the downlight. Intumescent material by nature swells when it is heated, this therefore causes a seal to be made around the downlight to stop any fire penetrating the edge of the down light.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The picture to the right show a typical down light that is not fire rated. Here we can see that there is no can on the back to stop fire penetrating the light. The back of the can is completely open therefore letting air and fire through. There will also be no intumescent material around the outside ring of this meaning that fire would be able to penetrate the side of these fittings. In the case of safety, it is always better to try and install downlights that are fire rated, as this will reduce the risk to the room above.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>Are there other benefits to Fire Rated Downlights?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="clear: right; color: blue; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Absolutely, as well as protecting from fire, fire rated downlights are also rated to protect from noise and moisture. Clearly a hole in the ceiling will let noise through, so when you multiply that by 10 or even more, a large amount of noise can be transferred through the holes to the upstairs rooms. This can be particularly noticable if a bedroom is above a lounge and the TV is being played. Often the noise will transfer leaving the person upstairs with an annoying mumble of the downstairs TV. Fire Rated downlights are rated to reduce the amount of sound that can penetrate the fitting therefore keeping it quiter upstairs. This is known as 'acoustic rating.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">As well as noise, moisture can also travel through non fire rated downlights into the ceiling void. This is best being avoided as it can cause problems with damp and mould. This can be particuarly evident in kitchens and bathrooms. A Fire Rated downlight will prevent moisture from escaping into the cavity above the room. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>Are there different types of Fire Rated Downlights?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Yes, there are quite a few different types of Fire Rated downlights available today, these include IP65 Rated ones (for bathrooms), tiltable ones (for sloping ceilings), Low Energy and LED Versions and also tiltable bathroom downlights which can focus a light beam on the bath/shower etc whilst keeping moisture out of the downlight. Of course all of the halogen downlights can be dimmed which can create mood lighting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"><u><strong>Are there standards that I should look for?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Yes, the industry standards that should be met are as follows;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Part C compliant (stops moisture & air flow) Part E compliant (acoustic rating) Approved by Warringtonfire to BS476 (part 20/21/23) Approved by BPB to BS EN ISO 140-3&6 717-1&2. Tested in accordance with appendix F, edition 2 of robust interiors.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"><u><strong>Are they any different to fit?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Fire rated downlights are one of the easiest lighting products to fit as they slot straight into the hole after they have been connected to the terminals. The majority are Double Insulated as well meaning that it doesn't matter if you have no earth connection. Any electrician will easily be able to fit these downlights into place.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">How fire rated downlights look after being installed.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The right hand picture is a quick in situ image showing how the downlights would look once installed. Recessed down lights are growing in popularity each year with many architects specifying recessed fire rated downlights on their projects.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To see a wide range of fire rated downlights that conform to all of the regulations please click <a href="http://fire-rated.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Thank You for Reading</strong></span></div>
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Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05809069520870455202noreply@blogger.com0