Evolution takes Fire Rated lighting down a radical path
London, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 26 April 2017 -- UK lighting manufacturer Integral LED has overhauled the fire-rated downlight – one of the ‘toolbox essentials’ used in lighting installations everywhere. The new downlight is one of many models to receive radical re-engineering to adapt conventional lighting units for an LED age. Effectively Integral have stripped away many of the familiar features of conventional Fire Rated downlights to match the advantages of LED. The result is a fundamentally new product that dispenses with the need of a ‘can’ to preserve fire safety.
Downlights are a focus for safety regulations due to the nature of their installation. Essentially, a hole is cut out of the ceiling, which compromises the fire integrity of the structure. It is important to remember it is not the downlight itself that is subject to fire rating but the length of time the complete barrier can withstand a building fire. The purpose of the regulations is to ensure that the materials and fittings will withstand fire for certain durations, allowing enough time for occupants to use an escape route.
In the past, the fire resistance of the floor/ceiling is retained by specialist fittings developed at a time when halogen was king. Familiar fire rated downlights use a metal can structure, often featuring expanding intumescent fire-proof material to seal the gaps in times of fire.
The Integral Evofire has adopted a novel approach of incorporating a glass and steel barrier as a solution. Essentially, the fire protection is deployed below the lamp at the ceiling surface. The resulting lightweight downlight is rated BS 476 and matches current fire regulations.
“The Evofire uses fewer materials in its construction thanks to its novel design. The cost of the unit is substantially lower than its ‘canned’ competitors,” comments Francesco Rivieccio, Senior LED Product Manager, Integral LED.
The Evofire’s open design allows the separately fitted LED spotlights to breathe freely. Under test conditions, the interchangeable GU10 and MR16 LED lamps run up to 10°C cooler than a typical “canned” models. The lower temperature boosts LED longevity, potentially doubling the operational lifetime of the LED unit. A built-in insulation guard variant ensures ‘cool’ operation even when insulation material is laid above the downlight fitting.
The radically new design has been tested by a UKAS accredited fire laboratory for 30/60/90 minutes in a full furnace. The Evofire downlight is made from highly durable steel and fits a 70mm cut-out. The remarkably thin 1mm “blend-in” bezel has a high-quality, powder-coated finish and looks great in any ceiling.
Stephen Thomas, Integral LED, http://www.integral-led.com, +44 7468 578088, [email protected]
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