What are fire-rated downlights and do you need them in your home?

If you’re changing or updating the lighting in your home, chances are you have discussed what you would like to use. Downlights are arguably one of the most popular lighting options, however there are a few questions you need to ask yourself first.

One being, are your downlights going to be fire rated or non-fire rated? If you’re not quite sure what this means, read on as we run down the common questions homeowners and electricians have.

What is the fire-rated downlights?

Fire-rated downlights help slow the spread of fire, compared to traditional downlights.

When you cut a hole into a ceiling and install recessed lights, you are reducing the existing fire rating of the ceiling. This hole then allows for fire to escape and spread more easily between floors.

Fire rated downlights have an important role in fire safety, as they effectively block the hole cut into the ceiling. On each downlighter they have an intumescent pad, which will expand when it reaches a certain temperature, and ultimately slow the spread of fire. Different fire rated downlights have different fire rated times, varying from 3Without fire rated downlights, it can mean that your ceiling collapses within just a few minutes compared to giving you extra time to get out to safety.

Do downlights have 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.

What are the fire ratings for downlights?

Part B of the Building Regulations includes fire protection testing of recessed ceiling lights. Fire rated downlights are then given a rating of 30, 60, 90 minutes normally. This is the amount of time the light fitting will block the fire for.

Does Fire-rated downlight have IP ratings?

Depending on the location of the light, such as bathrooms and kitchens, IP ratings can be various. It is best practice to take into consideration BS 7671 and Parts B, C, E, L and P of the Building Regulations.

Normally for residential fire-rated downlights, IP20 for fixed and adjustable version,while IP65 for IP version and be installed in bathroom, the IP65 rating is for exposed parts.

Can you cover fire rated downlights with thermal insulation?

Some fire rated downlights can’t be covered with thermal insulation, as they will overheat and catch fire, even though there are LED lamps inside.

If you have insulation already in place, you can fit an insulation displacement box over the top to protect. However, Vertex do sell fire rated downlights that can be installed directly into thermal insulation,that is our 1.5th generation IC fire-rated downlights.

Vertex invented fire-rated downlights and got invention patent with EU Patent No.EP2778509 in 2004, and we sold fire-rated downlights to UK market from 2006.Up to now, Vertex have invented three generation fire-rated downlights:

1st generation with full can and exchangeable bezel

1.5^th generation with IC features can be insulation contact.

3nd generation with backless can,also can be IC version for LED halogen lamps covered with plastic IC cage.

Here comes some details of our three version fire-rated downlights,

All of them were fully tested with 30min I Joist, 30min Metal Web,30min Solid Timber,60min I Joist,60min Metal Web,60min Solid Timber and 90min Solid Timber reports,comply with Part B of the Building Regulations.

Vertex have been always foucs on invention on fire-rated downlights, and in the furture, we will develop 4^th fire-rated downlights without back can.

Always New is our core value.