Discover how passive fire protection for LED downlights plays a key role in protecting our communities.
Where It Begins.
Energy efficiency, aesthetics, and increased life longevity are some of the key reasons why LED wafer downlights have been setting the lighting standards in modern construction practices. From constructing new Type V-A multifamily complexes to upgrading the current lighting system in a boutique hotel, LED downlights have the ability to offer easy installation for contractors, and the aesthetics for architects and developers – the ultimate combo. In addition to the previously mentioned applications, LED downlights can often be found in the following applications:
- Commercial Spaces: Includes shopping malls, mixed-use buildings, local boutiques.
- Residential Buildings: Includes multi-family complexes, student housing.
- Hospitality Spaces: Includes hotels, motels, lodges, inns.
With its ability to be installed in renovation jobs and new construction projects, it is critical to ensure that our current and future communities are fully protected from life safety hazards, such as unprotected ceiling openings.
Look up at your ceiling. It’s important.
Frequently, unprotected ceiling openings are one of the most common life safety hazards found in modern construction applications. When a fire-rated ceiling assembly is penetrated by a recessed fixture, such as a LED wafer, the integrity of the ceiling is compromised. In the event of a fire outbreak, the recessed fixtures disintegrate after several minutes, allowing a clear pathway for smoke and flames to maneuver to the next level of an infrastructure.
As a result, the International Code Council has established a building code requirement to ensure that this life safety hazard is properly resolved within our communities. For reference, Section 714.5.2 of the 2021 IBC states:
“Where floor/ceiling assemblies are quired to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall be installed such that the required fire resistance will not be reduced.”
In addition, it is essential to point out that LED wafers are being installed in both existing infrastructures and new construction. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the unprotected ceiling openings are properly fire-rated, no matter if the infrastructure is previously existing or currently being built.
Exploring Your Options.
As the popularity of LED downlights reaches new heights in modern construction, it was critical that a proper fire-rated solution was developed. One of the recent trending solutions are “fire-rated” lights. These solutions are budget-friendly and offer quick, easy installation for on-site contractors. However, a huge misconception about these solutions is because they are composed of metal – they automatically have a fire-resistance rating for applications where fire-resistance rated assemblies are required. However, this is a false assumption. Even though metal itself offers some firestopping properties – it is a poor insulator and does not mean that a metal-based solution qualifies as a fire-rated solution. In order for any solution to claim they are fire-rated, it needs to be tested and approved by a third-party laboratory.
Another method of properly firestopping a LED “pancake” light is fire-rated drywall boxes. This firestopping method is where gypsum wallboards surround the LED wafers; however, there are several cons of this practice. Fire-rated drywall boxes are known to be associated with high labor savings, which can increase the cost of installation beyond budget limits. One of the main causes for high installation costs is this solution’s inability to be retrofitted into a pre-existing ceiling – meaning the pre-existing ceiling would need to be deconstructed prior to the installation of these solutions. In addition to its high labor costs, fire-rated boxes are not properly fire tested and certified – which defeats the purpose of installing proper passive fire protection measures.
Spec the Best, Specify Tenmat.
Now, all of the previously listed solutions don’t exactly check off all the boxes – so, the pressing question is “Are there any solutions that can check off all the preferred features of a firestopping solution?”. To answer your question, let us introduce you to – Tenmat’s FF109-200 and FF109-250, 1 Hour Fire Rated LED Downlight Covers. Composed with the latest intumescent technology, the FF109-200 and 250 are able to stop heat and flames from spreading to other parts of a building for up to 60 minutes. In addition, ALL of Tenmat’s Firestopping Solutions and Materials are tested through third-party laboratories, UL and Intertek and all certifications can be found on our website.. In addition to its firestopping components, the ultra-flexible nature of the intumescent material allows the cover(s) to get rolled up for easy retrofit, remodel, or new construction installations – ideal for a multitude of construction practices. To learn more about these optimal solutions, please visit the FF109-200 and FF109-350 product pages.
End Notes.
Incorporating passive fire protection measures is crucial for the safety of our communities, both in the present and future. LED downlight fixtures are very popular in modern-day construction, but without proper fire-rated solutions, they pose a great threat to our communities. By specifying solutions, such as Tenmat’s FF109-200 and 250, it is ensured that a building’s ceiling openings are protected – allowing for a fire-resistance rated ceiling’s integrity to be foolproof. If this article didn’t answer all of your questions and concerns, please feel free to contact one of our on-site specialists at +1-800-821-3435 or email us at info@tenmatusa.com.
