Are My Ceiling Down-lights a Fire Risk? Electrical safety advice from Wiring Works Electricians in Telford.

12th March 2015

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Did you know that downlighters are considered one of the main causes of fire in homes throughout the UK?

Why?

The reason is simple … the tungsten halogen in these lights can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius and any materials in close contact with them will ignite and cause a fire.

Wiring Works in Telford are NIC EIC Electrical Contractors and explain how fires from Halogen downlighters be prevented:

Ask a qualified electrician to install your downlighters. You call on Wiring Works in Telford for all types of electrical installation and you can trust them to provide a complete, safe and thorough service.
Ensure there is plenty of ventilation around the down lighter allowing heat to escape.
Don’t mount down lighters on a combustible surface e.g. plaster board ceilings.
Don’t cover down lighters with flammable materials e.g. insulation material, roof beams etc.
If you must have halogen downlighters, choose fully closed back downlighters fitted with aluminium backed lamps. The closed back allows air circulation to remove heat but prevents any materials having direct contact with the lamp itself. The aluminium lamp backing directs heat forward out of the lamp, the same way as the light.
To reduce the risk of fire from the room itself spreading, downlighters that are ‘Fire Rated’ should be used.
Choose LED down lighters instead of Halogen as they are heat free. Whilst this is a more expensive option, it is the safest.

If you’ve decided to install down-lights in any part of your property, it would be wise to have them installed professionally by a registered NIC/EIC electrician.

For information and advice call Paul on 01952 270278

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