Everyone likes to work in an environment that ticks all of the health and safety boxes. After all, the majority of us spend most of our week in our workplace, whether that is in a warehouse, office or even school or other institution. Surprisingly, keeping a workplace safe from fire extends beyond the extinguishers that hang on the walls, and can include the choice of lights that are installed. A perfect example, are fire rated downlights, which play a big role in reducing the risk of fire at work.

In any commercial building, systems that protect against fire are standard installations. Whether it is a sprinkler system that operates on every floor, or an extensive number of smoke and heat detectors, alarm bells will ring to ensure that all personnel have a chance to exit the building and reach safety in time.

A wide range of fire safety options exist, with a buildings lighting system just one of them. It is quite logical to look to the lights in a building since lights do generate heat. In particular, recessed lighting, which involves lights that are trapped within the ceiling, pose a real threat because of the heat it produces and its close proximity to the ceiling itself. The good news is that any commercial or domestic lighting wholesalers will have a full range of fire rated recessed lights or downlights, making it simple to find the right choice both in terms of safety and style.

These lights can be considered a fire hazard principally because of their position. Ceilings, just like all areas of a commercial building, must pass very stringent safety regulations when they are first constructed. However, the very act of cutting a hole in the ceiling to facilitate a light, compromises the fire rating of the building. This is because, while ceilings may be protected from fire through specific treatments, a hole will immediately allow flames in the case of a fire to spread.

There is an added risk when lights that are recessed are not properly encased in a protective casing, with the heat generated by the bulb sometimes causing scorching and poor wiring quality providing a risk of sparking and, possibly, flames. Obviously, this can then lead to an outbreak of a fully- fledged fire.

The advantage of having a fire rated light installed is that it will restore the ceilings integrity by preventing the spread of flames for a significant period of time. This is done by material used in the light fitting expanding with heat, sealing the light and allowing no room for flames to travel. Some of best rated lights can delay the progress of flames by as long as 90 minutes, keeping fire contained while giving personnel plenty of time to exit the building and fire officers time to take the necessary steps to extinguish the fire.

Whether the style of a workplace is driven by simple practical needs, or is fashioned around a specific theme, there is a fire rated light to match it. The ranges available are extensive, with bulkheads, ceiling pendants, LED lighting, florescent lighting, uplighters of a variety of designs and downlighters of similar types, all on offer. It means that just as fire safety is not compromised by a lights installation, nor is the quality of decor compromised.

Amongst the least costly but very stylish fire rated downlights is the Lombardi low Voltage downlight in polished brass finishing. It gives a classy but contemporary feel to any office or shop floor, allowing specific items on display to be highlighted. Also, the Panino drop glass downlight, which is available in satin white for a soft light effect, or chrome for a more urban feel. Both of these downlights use low- voltage bulbs to reduce the heat generated by the lights themselves, thereby adding further to their safety value.

Other styles of recessed lighting boast fire ratings also, such as the Fedini MR16 fixed recessed light, which is available in a brushed aluminium finish, but quality lighting wholesalers should also be able to provide accessories to aid in increasing the safety of a light fitting. For example, the Renate safety fire hood, which can be placed over lights to contain flames and is ventilated to prevent heat build- up.