Fire Rated Downlights at KES

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Fire Rated Downlights

Downlights that keep a ceiling's fire rating

A ceiling under another floor has to hold back fire for a set time, and cutting a hole for a light weakens it. Every downlight and recessed spotlight here is tested to maintain that, for 30, 60 or 90 minutes depending on the model and the ceiling. They come from Astro and Collingwood. For a bathroom or shower, go to our IP65 fire rated downlights.

Replaceable bulb or built-in LED

Astro's Minima, Pinhole, Taro and Trimless ranges mostly take a GU10 lamp, sold separately, so you choose the colour and brightness. Collingwood's H2, H4 and H5 have the LED built in, and several switch between 2700K, 3000K and 4000K. Astro's Ascoli and Can 50 are fire rated spotlights recessed into the ceiling.

Fixed, adjustable, round or square

Adjustable models tilt to light a wall, a picture or a worktop. There are round, square, twin and trimless designs in white, black, brushed steel and polished chrome. The rating line on each product page names the ceiling type it was tested in. All our spotlights are here.

Fire Rated Downlights Recommendations & Buying Advice

The rule applies to the ceiling rather than the light. Where a ceiling forms part of a floor between storeys, Part B of the Building Regulations sets how long it must resist fire, usually 30 minutes in a typical two-storey house and 60 minutes between flats. A downlight cuts a hole in it, so choose a fire rated model tested in your type of ceiling. Your electrician or building control can confirm what your ceiling needs.

The figure is how long the fitting kept the ceiling's fire resistance in testing. Match it to your ceiling: 30 minutes covers most houses, and flats often need 60. Many models here are rated to 30, 60 and 90 minutes in solid timber joists, the Astro Taro is listed at 90 minutes under BS 476-21, and the Collingwood H5 500 and H5 1000 list 30 minutes.

Yes. Makers test in particular ceiling builds, and the results differ. Collingwood lists the H2 Lite for solid timber at 30, 60 and 90 minutes, and for I-joists and metal web joists at 30 minutes. Astro lists the Minima Slimline at 30, 60 and 90 minutes in solid joists and 30 minutes in metal web and I-joists. So check which joists your ceiling has before you choose.

A fire rated downlight has its protection built in. A fire hood is a separate cover fitted over a standard downlight from inside the ceiling void. We sell Astro fire hoods in four sizes, from 150mm wide, and a Diyas intumescent hood. A hood suits an existing fitting you want to keep, but it needs space above the ceiling and the right size for the light, so a fire rated downlight is usually simpler.

Yes, if the IP rating suits the zone. Zone 1, above a bath or shower up to 2.25m from the floor, needs at least IPX4, or IPX5 where water jets may be used. Astro lists its IP65 Minima Slimline, Pinhole and Void models for zones 1, 2 and 3, and Collingwood lists its H2 and H5 models for zone 1. The adjustable Astro models are IP20, for dry rooms only.

A GU10 model, such as the Astro Minima Slimline or Taro, lets you change the bulb's colour and output later, though the bulb is sold separately. A built-in LED, as on every Collingwood model here, needs no bulb, and several let you switch between 2700K, 3000K and 4000K at the fitting. For living rooms and bedrooms, 2700K or 3000K gives a warmer light than 4000K.

Where nothing sits above the ceiling, such as a flat roof extension or a top floor ceiling under a loft, the floor rule does not apply, so a standard downlight can be fine. A loft conversion or a protected stairway can change that. Many electricians fit fire rated models anyway, as the choice is hard to undo later. If you are not sure what is above your ceiling, your electrician or building control can confirm.