GB2454449A

GB2454449A - Fireproof ventilated recessed downlighter

Info

Publication number: GB2454449A
Application number: GB0710679A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Steer; Eric Bridge; Peter Tonge
Original assignee: Tenmat Ltd
Current assignee: Tenmat Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-05
Filing date: 2007-06-05
Publication date: 2009-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-05
Also published as: GB2454449B; GB0710679D0

Abstract

A fireproof recessed downlight 2 comprising a connector 12 for connecting a lamp 14, in which a mounting frame 10 for mounting the connector, the mounting frame comprising an at least partly open side 20 wall for ventilation and an intumescent material 24 configured to intumesce to cover the at least partly open side wall. Downlighter provides protection against fire, flames and smoke as the intumescent material (24) expands and covers the partly open sides (20) as seen in figure 2.

Description

Improvements in and Relating to Recesoed Down].ights

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to recessed downlights and to ceiling arrangements incorporating such recessed downlights.

Background to the Invention

One mechanism by which a fire can spread from one compartment of a structure to another is via openings made in the fire resisting membrane forming the ceiling for the fitting of recessed light fixtures, known as recessed downlights.

Known recessed downlights have little resistance to the passage of fire as they are often made from materials that conduct heat, typically steel, or do not form an adequate seal with the ceiling. In a fire test, the heat generated within a controlled furnace will rapidly spread from the furnace into the void created above the ceiling when fitted with an unprotected recessed downlight.

With a view to addressing this problem, alternative recessed downlights have been suggested.

One approach is to build a box around the fixture from a fire resisting and thermally insulating material such as compressed mineral wool or sheet rock (plaster board).

The creation of a separate box around the light fixture from a both fire resistant and thermally insulating material tends to make the finished product heavy and bulky. As ceilings have specific weight limitations, this can be a serious concern.

Furthermore, the enclosing of a recessed light fixture within a fire resistant and thermally insulating box can significantly reduce the amount of heat which can be conducted through the sides of the light fixture thus causing the overall running temperature of the light fixture to be higher which can lead to lamp life reduction io and potential overheating of the fixture.

Another option is to use a fire rated light cover. Such covers can be difficult to fit and may also cause the light fixture to run too hot due to a lack of ventilation of the light fixture.

A further option is to provide a solid open-faced box or "can" around the light fixture, which box can include an intumescent material. Such an arrangement also has the tendency of retaining heat in normal use and can lead to overheating.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a recessed downhight comprising a connector for connecting a lamp, a mounting frame for mounting the connector, the mounting frame comprising an at least partly open side wall and an intumescent material configured to intumesce to cover the at least partly open C: side wall.

Such an arrangement enables the recessed downlight to be well ventilated to the ceiling space whilst ensuring the open areas are covered quickly by the intumescent material in the event of a fire.

Suitably, the inturrtegcent is at least partly located within the mounting frame. Suitably, the majority of the intumescent is located within the mounting frame.

Suitably, all of the intumescent is located within the mounting frame. Mounting the intumescent within the mounting frame ensures the open sides can be covered quickly and provides a self-contajneä unit that is smaller than some prior art options, hence reducing manufacturing, transport and storage costs.

Suitably, the inturnescent is located above the connector block. The inturnescent then expands downwardly to cover the open sides of the mounting frame in the event of a fire.

Suitably, the intumescent is in the shape of a ring.

Suitably, the side of the recessed downlight is at least 50% open.

Suitably, the recessed downlight is configured to be open to a ceiling space in use.

Suitably, the recessed downhight further comprises a lamp.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a ceiling arrangement comprising a recessed downlight according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Suitably, the open side wall is open to the ceiling space.

Suitably, the ceiling arrangement comprises a plurality of recessed downhights according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a recessed downlight according to the present invention mounted in a ceiling.

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 after a fire situation.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a recessed downlight 2 mounted in a ceiling 4, the ceiling 4 separating a ceiling space 6 and a room space 8.

The recessed downhight 2 comprises a steel mounting frame mounting a ceramic connector block 12, to which is connected an incandescent lamp 14. Power cables 16 run from the connector block 12 to a power source (not shown) The mounting frame 10 is in the general shape of a truncated cone with a circular opening into the room space 8. The illumination direction of the lamp 14, indicated by arrow 18 defines a "down" direction. The terms, "side", "up", "top" and "bottom" can be construed accordingly. The side walls 20 of the mounting frame 10 are substantially open as defined by cut-outs 22 to allow for ventilation of the lamp to the ceiling space 6. Four similarly shaped and sized, equidistantly spaced cut-outs 22 are provided in this embodiment.

The top of the mounting frame 10 includes a recessed region above the connector block 12 containing a ring shaped intumescent material 24 configured to close the open side walls 20. The intumescent 24 is a monodjrectjonal intumescent material known to those skilled in the art, such as Tenrnat FIREFLY 102 (Registered Trade Mark)avajlable from Tenmat, Ashburton Road West, Traf ford Park, Manchester, M17 1RU, United Kingdom.

The recessed downlight 2 additionally comprises a radial lower lip 26 and retention springs 28 which together cooperate to hold the recessed downlight 2 to the ceiling 4.

In use the recessed downlight 2 is open to the ceiling space 6, i.e. there is no further covering between the recessed downhight 2 and the ceiling space 6. This enables good ventilation through the open sides of the mounting frame 20 and avoids the build up of local hot-spots.

In the event of a fire, the intumescent material 24 is oriented such that it expands downwardly past the connector block 12 as illustrated by the shaded region in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. Thus the open sides of the recessed downlight 2 are covered by insulating char to block the spread of the fire through the recessed downlight. Typically a temperature of over 180°C is required for the inturnescent to undergo expansion, in which case it will expand as much as 50 times its original volume.

It will be appreciated that many modifications within the scope of the present invention are possible. By way of example, the intumescent 24 could be mounted at the bottom of the recessed downlight 2. The shape of the recessed downlight 2 as well as the shape of the cut-out portions 22 can be varied.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

io accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A recessed downlight comprising a connector for connecting a lamp, a mounting frame for mounting the connector, the mounting frame comprising an at least partly open side wall and an intumescerit material configured to intumesce to cover the at least partly open side wall.

2. A recessed downlight according to claim 1, in which the intumescent is at least partly located within the mounting frame.

3. A recessed downlight according to claim 2, in which the majority of the intumescent is located within the mounting frame.

4. A recessed downlight according to claim 2 or 3, in which all of the intumescent is located within the mounting frame. * **

5. A recessed downlight according to any preceding claim, in which the intumescent is located above the connector : *. block. ***

I

6. A recessed dowrilight according to any preceding claim, **** in which the intumescent is in the shape of a ring.

7. A recessed downlight according to any preceding claim, in which the side of the recessed downlight is at least 50% open.

8. A recessed downlight according to any preceding claim, in which the recessed downlight is configured to be open to a ceiling space in use.

9. A recessed downlight according to any preceding claim, in which the recessed downlight further comprises a lamp.

10. A ceiling arrangement comprising a recessed downlight according to any preceding claim.

11. A ceiling arrangement according to claim 10, in which the open side wall is open to the ceiling space.

12. A ceiling arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, in which the ceiling arrangement comprises a plurality of recessed downlights according to the first aspect of the present invention.

13. A recessed downlight substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. * **

14. A ceiling arrangement substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. * ** * S S S...

S S..

I S... * S S... * S S * S.