GB2468699A

GB2468699A - Fire proof light fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2468699A
Application number: GB0904707A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Warren Hickson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-19
Filing date: 2009-03-19
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Also published as: GB0904707D0

Abstract

A fire proof recessed light fitting 1 such as a downlighter comprises an open cylinder with intumescent material fixed on both the outer and inner face. In a fire the outer faced intumescent material 2 expands holding the fitting in place within the ceiling preventing it from falling out, whilst the inner faced intumescent material 3 fills the inside cavity of the open cylinder fixed section of the light fitting preventing the fire penetrating through the open cylinder section, thereby maintaining the fire integrity of the ceiling structure. Provides a flame proof light fitting.

Description

System The present invention relates to a means for reducing the spread of fire, particularly through ceilings in which there are light fittings.

Ceilings in most buildings have fire resistance which prevents the spread of fire through the ceiling from the room below, the degree of fire resistance is such as to conform to the applicable fire/building regulations. The fire resistance can be measured by the time it takes for a fire of specified characteristics to penetrate the ceiling.

Fire resistant materials which fulfil the legal requirements are widely commercially available and used. The wires to the light to provide electricity to the light and to enable the light to be turned on and off are normally positioned above the ceiling out of sight e.g. between the joists etc. Lights are sometimes placed in ceilings such that the end of light is flush with the ceiling i.e. the light is recessed into the ceiling. As an electric light will generate a certain amount of heat there are normally ventilation holes in the light fitting to enable the heat to escape upwards and so prevent heat build up in the light fitting. When the light fitting is added after the construction of the ceiling the reduction in the fire resistance may not be known until after the outbreak of a fire and the fact that the ceiling no longer conforms to the regulations may go unnoticed.

Often in a fire these types of light-fittings will fall Out of the ceiling quite quickly causing the fire to spread into the ceiling void. This results in an early failure of integrity of the ceiling structure, enabling the fire to spread quicker.

I have now devised a light fitting which overcomes this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a light fitting FIG I (A) for a source which is recessed in a ceiling and in which the light source is able to shine down through a hole in the ceiling, which fitting comprises a metal surrounding structure FIG I (B) which, in place is able to substantially surround the light source above the ceiling, there being an opening at the top of the cylinder FIG 2 (A) acting as a ventilation hole within the structure to allow heat from the light source to dissipate, and intumescent material attached to the internal face FIG 2 (B) of the cylinder section which will expand on exposure to heat from a fire to substantially block the ventilation hole. The intumescent attached to the outer section of the cylinder FIG 2 (C) will expand in a fire and lock the light fitting in position.

The light source can be any electric light such as a tungsten filament bulb, halogen bulb, fluorescent light etc. In recessed lights a spot bulb is frequently used and the present invention is particularly suitable for use with such bulbs.

The ventilation hole in the structure are preferably formed in the upper surface of the structure so that the air heated by the light source can escape upwards and prevent overheating. Entumescent material and/or coatings in liquid and solid form are fixed on the internal and external section A strip of lntumescent material is also attached to the outer part of the fitting where it makes contact with the ceiling substrate. This expands in a fire, locking the lighting unit in place, assisting the spring mechanism.

Preferably the structure has a flange at its downward facing end which fits flush against the ceiling so that the structure can support the ceiling and there are no gaps through which fire can spread.

If a fire breaks out in a room below a ceiling incorporating the device of the present invention, then the heat of the fire will cause the intumescent material to expand and block the ventilation holes and prevent the spread of the fire upwards, with the aid of the external intumescent strip, the support on the structure will prevent the fitting from falling out and will reduce the possibility of any ceiling sag which otherwise could lead to the spread of the fire through the gaps which would normally be caused by such sag.

Claims

Claims 1. According to the invention there is provided a light fitting for a source which is recessed in a ceiling and in which the light source is able to shine down through a hole in the ceiling, which fitting comprises a metal surrounding structure which, in place is able to substantially surround the light source above the ceiling, there being an opening at the top of the cylinder acting as a ventilation hole within the structure to allow heat from the light source to dissipate. The open cylinder comprises intumescent material fixed on both the outer and inner face. In a fire this outer faced intumescent expands holding the fitting in place the ceiling preventing fall out whilst the inner faced intumescent fills the inside cavity of the open cylinder fixed section of the light fitting preventing the fire penetrating through the open cylinder section, thereby maintaining the fire integrity of the ceiling structure.
2. The overall system is a single unit light fitting comprising an open cylinder according to claim 1.
3. Intumescent material attached to the internal face according to claim 1 of the open cylinder section of the light fitting which will expand on exposure to heat from a fire to substantially block the ventilation hole.
4. The intumescent attached to the outer open section of the cylinder section of the light fitting according to claim 2 will expand in a fire and lock the light fitting in position.