Fire rated downlighters/hoods

[rocker]

Are fire rated downlighters and fire hoods to stop the downlighter catching fire, or to stop fire spreading through the house??

 

[Jon Bridges]

As far as I know they are to meet the part B of the building regs "Luminaires penetrating compartment ceiling must not degrade the fire resistance", so its to stop the spread of fire in the builing.

The main terminations are still outside the fire protected part.

 

[Notsosmart]

To slow the spread of fire through-out the building.
IMHO fire hoods actually increase the risk of fire due to raised lamp temperature.. This will of course become a moot point once halogens are banned & LED's rule the world

 

[bugsy]

Fire rating on downlighters is to stop the spread of fire ( same with acoustically rated - stop the travel of sound )

 

[rocker]

Gotta agree with notsosmart I reckon they would trap heat, surely?

Anyhow, thanks all.

 

[Spudnik]

FR fittings need only be used when holes are made between fire compartments, eg, garage with room above, and they dont have to be fitted in kitchens with a room above for instance.

I always fit them wherever as they cost difference is very little.

 

[GaryM]

I came across THIS ARTICLE a while back and found it a good read.