DIY question for sparkies.

[Flat in Fifth]

Need to install new bathroom lighting.

As part of the scheme need to install a light or lights in a section of ceiling above bog and washbasin. Not decided on specific lights yet, but could be either a 240v ceiling fitting or, more likely, set of 3 x 12v units powered from a transformer.

The clearance height from basin to ceiling is 1.2m from the top of the basin tap, 1.34 m from basin rim. Clearance from bog is greater. Sideways clearance from shower cubicle is ~ 1.0m and from bath so far as for that issue to be irrelevant

This seems to me to be zone 1 and therefore any light should have minimum IP44 rating. I know that is playing very safe as I've seen advice that above a washbasin is zone 2 for 600mm above spash zone and above that zone 3.

Are my thoughts correct?

Thanks in advance for any advice from those in the know.

[ianp68]

Flat in Fifth said:

Need to install new bathroom lighting. As part of the scheme need to install a light or lights in a section of ceiling above bog and washbasin. Not decided on specific lights yet, but could be either a 240v ceiling fitting or, more likely, set of 3 x 12v units powered from a transformer. The clearance height from basin to ceiling is 1.2m from the top of the basin tap, 1.34 m from basin rim. Clearance from bog is greater. Sideways clearance from shower cubicle is ~ 1.0m and from bath so far as for that issue to be irrelevant This seems to me to be zone 1 and therefore any light should have minimum IP44 rating. I know that is playing very safe as I've seen advice that above a washbasin is zone 2 for 600mm above spash zone and above that zone 3. Are my thoughts correct? Thanks in advance for any advice from those in the know.

Assuming you mean hand wash basin, BS7671 has no specific requirements for zoning.


The zones:
Zone 0 is within the volume of the bath or shower basin. (basically the part that contains water)
Zone 1 is from the floor, up vertically past the edge of the bath or shower basin to a height of 2.25m from the floor (Unless bath is not fixed to floor in which case the zone extends to 2.25m above bath rim.)
Zone 2 is from the edge of zone 1 to a radius of 600mm and a height of 2.25m
Zone 3 extends from the edge of zone 2 by 2.4m (0.6m to 3.0m from edge of bath) and to a height of 2.25m.

From what you've said, the light is in zone 3 (or outside zones if ceiling is above 2.25m.)

In zone 1 & 2 you need IPX4 (IPX5 if water jets are used for cleaning)
In zone 3 you need IPX5 if water jets are used for cleaning.

Remember that all circuits that feed into the bathroom require local supplementary bonding (cross bonding) to each earth terminal and extraneous conductive parts.
All electrical work carried out in a bathroom requires notification to local authority building control under the Part P building regulations.

Hope that helps.

[Flat in Fifth]

Thanks for quick and informative answer.

ianp68 said:

Assuming you mean hand wash basin, BS7671 has no specific requirements for zoning.

Yes hand wash basin.

ianp68 said:

outlined zones From what you've said, the light is in zone 3 (or outside zones if ceiling is above 2.25m.)

I'd worked out it was in zone 3 based on most generous interpretation.

What I found confusing was conflicting info available which added to confusion when checked out on t'internet.

ie some info clearly indicated it is zone 3, yet other info did not distinguish between a bath / shower and a hand wash basin which would make it zone 1. Low ceiling so can't be classed as "safe zone."

Faced with dilemma that I wanted to play ultrasafe and fit light with zone 1 (ip44) rating but 'er indoors much preferred one with zone 3 only. Looks like my argument falls at Bechers Brook aka She Who Must Be Obeyed.

ianp68 said:

Remember that all circuits that feed into the bathroom require local supplementary bonding (cross bonding) to each earth terminal and extraneous conductive parts. All electrical work carried out in a bathroom requires notification to local authority building control under the Part P building regulations.

Oh that side is well sorted and 110% within the regs.

Very helpful, thanks.