Recessed Lighting
In a retail or hospitality environment you may want to install lights that don’t detract from your carefully planned displays, furnishings or inviting ambiance. In an office environment you may want low-key lights that fit flush to the ceiling whilst producing effective and healthy output. In a display or work area you might want spotlights without the encumbrance of a rail or track, or you might want fuss-free downlights. Regardless of application, recessed lighting is often an option.
Places to go
Recessed lighting is a pretty flexible idea, and it needn’t, strictly speaking, refer to flat ceiling lights. An unobtrusive recessed lighting solution can be fitted in vaulted or slanting ceilings, under stairs, in the wall - anywhere where you have electrical access. If we want we can go outside with it too, but for now we’re staying in the warm…
Recessed lighting examples
Flush and clean
Flush-fitting recessed lights make for a very clean-looking, contemporary form of illumination, and they immediately provide extra air space. No dust-gathering luminaire or shade to clean, or to bump your head on if you’re vertically unchallenged. Recessed lighting is a low-key, highly efficient and desirable solution to many lighting conundrums.
Fire-Rated Downlights
Most modern residential premises have fire rated ceilings. The fire rating calculates the amount of time a ceiling can hold back flames beofre it spreads up to th enext floor and can be 30,60 or 90 minutes.
Current Building Regulations state that any residential premises with a top floor height of up to 18M above the ground should have ceilings resistant to fire up to 60 minutes. Residential premises with top floors 18M-30M should have ceilings resistant to fire for up to 90 minutes.
Installation of recessed lighting requires cutting into the ceiling area and so can compromise the ceiling fire rating. To maintain a fire rating when recessed lighting is installed the lighting itself must also be fire rated.
Fire rate downlights have an integrated protective cover or 'can' that prevents heat and flames being transferred through the fitting up into the ceiling void.
If installing downlights which are not fire rated the addition of an intumenscent fire hood per downlight will be required to maintain the ceilings fire rating.
Give some thought to how you want your business premises, office space, or home, illuminated, and get in touch with us at Lyco if you need clarification on any point. We’re here to enlighten.