In most buildings the ceilings between floors have a fire rating. This is the length of time that the ceiling will prevent a fire in the room below spreading to the floor above.
Most ceilings are 60 minute rated, although there are 30, 60 and 90 minute ratings.
When you install a recessed downlight into a ceiling, the hole that you make compromises the integrity of the ceiling and would allow smoke and heat straight through to the room above in the event of a fire.
Usually, you must use fire rated downlights in a ceiling with a room above. Ideally you would use them in every installation.
A fire rated downlight contains an intumescent seal which is designed to swell to over three times it's size in the event of a fire. This will seal the hole and maintain the fire integrity of the ceiling.
The good news is that there are lots of fire rated downlights to choose from here at My Green Lighting.
Most of them are 90 minute fire rated. This means that they meet the requirements to maintain the fire rating of any ceiling.
If you install a regular downlight (not the fire rated type) then you would also need to install a fire hood over the top, in the void behind the ceiling.
This can be a complicated an expensive addition to the job, so it's usually best to just us ea fire rated downlight in the first place.
If you need more information about fire rated downlights or anything else, please get in touch.
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