Do downlights need to be fire rated?
It is highly recommended that all downlights installed are fire rated. This is purely for your protection in your home, as they give you more time to escape a fire and help slow the fire spreading through floors.
Are downlights a fire hazard?
When the heat generated by traditional downlights mixes with flammable, loose insulation in roof cavities, a potential fire hazard occurs. Downlights heat up fast and can easily ignite nearby insulation or debris.
What are fire hoods?
Fire hoods are fire resistant covers which char and expand when exposed to the heat of a fire. Their purpose is to slow the spread of fire, by blocking the hole in the ceiling where a downlight is fitted.
Do LED downlights need heat covers?
Fire-rated LEDs Now, fire rated downlights don’t necessarily need a cover for heat or safety reasons, as these fittings have been designed so that quilt insulation can be installed directly over the top without causing any undue risk. However, cutting holes in the ceiling for downlights creates air leakage.
Do LED downlights need fire hoods?
If your LED spotlights are fire rated, then the answer is no (this will be indicated on either the packaging or can be checked on the manufacturers website). The purpose of a fire hood is to stop or slow down the passage of fire, through the holes cut in the ceiling that the downlight sits in.
Where do I have to use fire rated downlights?
In any building where people maybe living or inhabiting above, the ceiling below must be fire rated. Fire rated downlights are used to restore the fire integrity of a ceiling. In the event of a fire, the downlight hole is like a gateway that allows fire to spread through, unchallenged.
Are LED recessed lights a fire hazard?
Lights generate a lot of heat when they are in use. This heat can be a safety hazard in certain situations where recessed lighting is used. This is important as non-IC rated recessed lighting in contact with insulation creates a fire hazard.
Do smoke hoods work?
Depending on the model, the hoods filter carbon monoxide, smoke particles, acid gases such as hydrogen cyanide and other toxins. Although experts do not generally argue against the hood’s ability to reduce intake of smoke with highly toxic gases that can prove fatal, other potential problems are cited.
Can I put insulation over LED downlights?
As you’ve no doubt guessed, non-fire rated LED downlights cannot be covered by insulation directly. This means a cover must be fitted before quilt insulation is installed over the fitting. A fire retardant cover such as the Loft Lid will solve this problem.
Can a downlight be fitted with a fire hood?
Downlights can also be fitted with a fire hood, to make the ceiling fire safe and also to protect from the build-up of dust and other flammable particles. Fire hood installation should be considered to further protect from the risk of fires that comes with recessed downlights.
What are the different types of fire hoods?
Fire Hoods. Fire Hoods, also known as Downlight Covers, Downlight Fire Hoods or Intumescent Fire Hoods are protective covers designed to stop the spread of fire and smoke through a ceiling where recessed luminaires, downlights or other ceiling features are installed.
How big should a fire hood be for a recessed ceiling?
These have a hood of 160mm in diameter and a depth of 130mm so should cover the majority of recessed ceiling fittings. The rim of 50mm provides additional protection. This fire hood can be fitted either from above or below. aka Intumescent Downlight Cover!
Why are recessed downlights a fire hazard?
This is because it is the hole that is cut for recessed downlights that compromises the fire resistance of the ceiling. A fire hazard is created by the hole that is cut into the ceiling to hold the downlight. Plaster board ceilings already act as a barrier to fire, but this barrier is compromised…