Thread: Downlight fire protection

Use compact flourescant downlights and the problem doesn't exist. if you use compact flouros which are the same size you will defintely need to install more of them as the light output is more difuse. There are definte regulations in regards to installing 55 watt halogen downlights and I would reckon that anything covering them would be a no no as the heat build up would be too grear. I have a dozen 55 watt downlights you can have at $5 each including power supplies. We replaced the lights that are on a lot with compact flouro down lights.

Originally Posted by AlpineRaven

I am about to install some downlights in this house, replacing normal lights to downlights in master bedroom, hallway & kitchen/dining. Above the ceiling we have a wool insulation which would be fire hazard for downlights, I've been looking around and they're pretty pricey for fire protection and I thought myself that I could either use - Old Nescafe Bend43 coffee tins with holes for ventilation, or does anyone have better ideas? I've also thought about terracotta pots but it might be a bit heavy for the ceiling.

Cheers
AP

You can also use flower pots and cut the bottoms out, as long as the insulation is away from the downlights and the heat can escape you should have no problems

Warrick

What Mini said, I'll just add that they are much cheaper to run than halogens as well

Compact Fluros or check out LED downlights - I had a swag installed in an office fitout and they look good, give a soft but powerful light, and draw bugger all power. We had downlights and some floor lights (ie about a foot from the floor - people called them aircraft lights or movie lights when they saw them but gee they were good for being able to see very well when the main floros and downlights were off). The light the LEDs emit is amazing for what they are - I had serious doubts but I'm glad the sparky suggested them. We also had downlights (like you're thinking of) installed in one room as it was set up as a video room for conferences and watch things on tv etc and wanted dimmable lights and the heat these emit is a lot. The LEDs are cool to touch and as I said draw almost no power