Do I need fire rated downlights in kitchen – No matter which way you look at it, kitchen fires can be devastating? Last year, for example, there were just under 20,000 fires in domestic kitchens across the UK with the majority of these being caused by cooking practices.
Although you may think that a fire occurring in your home or business premises is unlikely, it’s important to make sure you have the right measures in place to reduce your risk as much as possible. With regards to home safety and security, then, this entails looking carefully at the building and any features that could contribute towards the safety of you, your loved ones and possessions.
But what are some of the main things that need to be considered when planning for personal and property safety? We will talk about fire alarms and fire extinguishers for domestic use and what steps we can take to reduce our risk of damage to our homes.
Fire rated downlights may have a reputation for being overly complicated or unnecessary in kitchens but they’re actually critical to improving fire safety in your home.
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Which Downlights are Right for Your Kitchen?
Kitchen downlights are a popular choice in many homes. They provide an ambient light source that can be used to illuminate your entire kitchen, or as additional lighting for your worktops.Often people are unsure about which downlights to choose for their kitchen, so we’ve put together this guide to help you make the right choice.
What’s the difference between fire rated and non-fire rated downlights? All of our downlights are either fire rated or non-fire rated. In simple terms, fire rated downlights have a higher temperature rating than non-fire rated ones and will therefore take longer to catch alight if they are exposed to high temperatures.
Do I need a fire rated downlight in my kitchen?If your kitchen is completely surrounded by solid walls, then you won’t need a fire rated downlight as there is no possible route that rising heat can travel through. If you have a suspended ceiling or plan on running cables above the ceiling (e.g., for an extractor fan), then you will need one.
Do I really need FR rated downlights in my kitchen?
When it comes to downlights, there are all sorts of different types, sizes and finishes to choose from.
Type B downlights are rated as fire rated. This means that in the event of a fire, they will withstand the heat for up to 90 minutes, just as much as a fire door. The main purpose of these is for safety and reassurance.
They are required by building regulations if installed in any ceiling which has a loft above or if the insulation is within 50mm of the lamp surface. They can also be used safely in any other room such as a kitchen or living room as they have extra peace of mind in case of an electrical fault or fire.
Type C downlights are non-fire rated and should not be used where Type B downlights are required but are perfectly suitable for rooms where no loft exists above such as bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
What if I do have fire rated downlights in my kitchen?
It is not a requirement to have fire rated downlights in your kitchen. However, it is best practice to install them in all areas of the home. We recommend that you have an electrician check if you do have fire rated downlights fitted around the kitchen area.
If you do have fire rated downlights in your kitchen, they must be installed correctly and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you find out that you do not have fire rated downlights in your kitchen, we advise that you remove all GU10 bulbs immediately and contact a licensed electrician immediately for advice on how to safely remove them.
How to Install Fire Rated Downlights in Kitchens
Fire rated downlights are becoming more and more popular for kitchen use, especially in older houses. It is important to remember that not all fire rated downlights are the same, there are two types of fire rated downlights, a 30 minute and 60-minute fire rated downlight.
The difference between the two is that a 30-minute fire rated downlight is tested to withstand temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes and a 60-minute fire rated downlight is tested to withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes.
This means that in the case of a fire, a 30-minute fire rated downlight will give you 30 minutes to escape your home before the ceiling collapses and a 60-minute fire rated downlight will give you an hour.You need to consider which one you require based on the room size, you can have as many 30- or 60-minute fire rated downlights in one room as you like but you cannot mix both types in the same room.
If you wish to install both types of fire rated downlights into your home then you will need to create two separate circuits which are dedicated completely to either 30- or 60-minute fire rated downlights. The reason for this is because if an electrical fault occurs in either circuit then.
You get correct information
Fire rated downlights are simply additional measures to prevent electrical issues. Most modern kitchens have adequate fire protection built in on their own. We recommend you speak to your electrician regarding this and see what he or she advises. This will be more helpful than consulting a wikiHow article which does not even resolve your issue.
If you are going to have anything that falls on to a combustible material in your kitchen, there needs to be a fire rated ceiling fan. In the example given above it would be the down lights installed into the kitchen ceiling canopy.