Fire Rated Downlights Are Also Rated to Protect From Noise and Moisture

The new KR8 downlight expands Cree’s KR Series by adding the lighting manufacturer’s first eight-inch downlight, which features Cree WaveMax Technology and Cree TrueWhite Technology. This combination brings improved light through optical efficiency, precise beam control and longer product life to higher ceiling applications, such as theaters, airports and auditoriums. Cree also announces the newest generation of its LR6 downlight.

With the new KR8 downlight, Cree’s architectural downlight portfolio now addresses ceiling heights from eight feet up to 40 feet. Additionally, the KR8 downlight covers most commercial and retail applications with 6,000 and 8,000 lumen outputs, with more light, a range of beam spreads and optical control. The specification-grade downlight integrates Cree’s WaveMax Technology and uses a dual optic design that enables precision with beam angles as tight as 15 degrees, providing light uniformity and better color performance with a 90-plus CRI.

According to company information, the new KR8 downlight provides double the lifetime of its nearest competitors, and delivers dimming capabilities down to one percent. Designed with contractors and electricians in mind, the KR8downlight features an easy two-step installation, and is offered in warm, neutral and cool color temperatures.

The new Cree LR6 downlight delivers up to 1,800 lumens of light with color quality at a minimum CRI of 90. The downlight delivers up to 100 lumens per watt, using up to 89% less energy than the incandescent downlight it replaces and up to 58% less than a CFL.

Cree’s LR6 downlights feature Flip-Clip technology that secures into most six-inch IC and non-IC housings. The LR Series can also be used in new construction for recessed or pendant lighting applications, and is available in warm or neutral color temperatures, with three lumen packages and a variety of trim options.

Absolutely, as well as protecting from fire, fire rated downlights are also rated to protect from noise and moisture. Clearly a hole in the ceiling will let noise through, so when you multiply that by 10 or even more, a large amount of noise can be transferred through the holes to the upstairs rooms. This can be particularly noticable if a bedroom is above a lounge and the TV is being played. Often the noise will transfer leaving the person upstairs with an annoying mumble of the downstairs TV. Fire Rated downlights are rated to reduce the amount of sound that can penetrate the fitting therefore keeping it quiter upstairs. This is known as ‘acoustic rating.’

As well as noise, moisture can also travel through non fire rated downlights into the ceiling void. This is best being avoided as it can cause problems with damp and mould. This can be particuarly evident in kitchens and bathrooms. A Fire Rated downlight will prevent moisture from escaping into the cavity above the room.