Downlighters and fire safety
Downlighters are one of the most attractive ways to brighten up your home, but poorly installed downlighters (recessed luminaires) are the cause of a significant number of fires in homes every year.
Types of downlighter
Downlighters operate at mains voltage (230 Volts) or are powered via a transformer at extra-low voltage (12 Volts). Extra-low voltage (ELV)
downlighters are often described as "low voltage" on product packaging.
Downlighters may also be described as 'Fire rated'. This means they have in-built fire protection that completely seals the downlighter in the event of fire in the room below, to prevent the spread of fire and smoke into other areas.
For all downlighters installed into a ceiling, the Electrical Safety Council recommends the use of 'fire rated' downlighters fitted with aluminium reflector lamps to ensure fire and excessive heat are kept out of cavities.
Thinking of installing new downlighters?
The Electrical Safety Council recommends that you use a registered electrician to install your downlighters and that you keep the manufacturer's instructions in a safe place for future reference, such as when you need to replace a lamp.
When fitting replacement lamps:
- Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check the packaging and the downlighter for details of correct replacement lamps and do not exceed the maximum allowed wattage.
- Always switch off the electricity before changing a lamp.
- Don't fit a dichroic (cool beam) reflector lamp unless the downlighter is specifically designed for use with that type of lamp. If in doubt, fit only aluminium reflector lamps.
- If the lampholder is damaged, scorched or corroded, do not fit the lamp, and seek advice from a registered electrician.
Checking your existing downlighters
- Check for visible markings on downlighters indicating lamp wattage and lamp type
- Check downlighters and their surroundings for signs of overheating such as curled labels and discolouration or scorching
- Ensure that downlighters installed in floor and ceiling cavities have sufficient space around them
- Ensure that downlghters are not in contact with or covered by loft insulation or combustible material, unless they are designed to operate safely in those conditions
- Check that downlighters are not installed near furniture, curtains or similar combustible items
- If dichroic (cool beam) lamps are fitted in downlighters designed for use with aluminium reflector lamps only, replace them with the correct type
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