Bathroom Zones Explained - Recon Electrical

1 T: 01246 455565. F: 01246 455244. W: E: Bathroom Zones Explained Using Electrical equipment in bath or shower rooms has always needed care to ensure safety. Now the IEE Wiring Regulations (17th Edition) have identified particular Zones within the Bathroom to indicate what type of Electrical equipment can be installed. IEE Wiring Regulations consider Electrical installations in the Bathroom to be a special location due to water increasing the risk of electric shock. Therefore anyone responsible for Bathroom electrics should adhere strictly to BS7671 the Requirements for Electrical Installations' Section 601, which gives clear instructions relating to Locations containing a bath or shower'.

2 All Electrical circuits within bathrooms must be protected by Residual Current Devices (RCD). not exceeding 30mA. This applies to all Electrical equipment whether it is controlled via a switch in the Bathroom or by remote. Zones Units 1-6 Ambrose Buildings, Broombank Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QJ. VAT Reg: 598 6371 75 Company Reg: 3191383. The previous IEE 16th Edition identified Zones within the Bathroom to illustrate what type of electrics in the Bathroom can be used or installed, and these have been updated in the 17th Edition.

3 These Zones take into account windows, doors, walls ceilings and partitions, assessing the level of risk in each zone, with specific requirements governing the type of equipment deemed safe to be used in each. Zones 0 2 are considered the wettest, and the former zone 3 is no longer defined. Zone 0. Applies to inside the bath or shower - Here Electrical products must be SELV low voltage (a maximum of 12V) and be IPX7, can withstand total accidental immersion in water. Zone 0 for a Bathroom is the area inside the bath. Zone 0 for a shower room is the area inside the shower basin.

4 If there is no shower basin, zone 0 is 10cm high from the finished floor level and extends to around the fixed shower head. It is not practical to mount extractor fans in zone 0. Zone 1. Applies to the area around the bath or shower up to a height of above the floor and at a radius of from the water outlet. A minimum rating of IPX4 is required. If the fitting is 240V a 30mA residual current device (RCD) must also be used to protect the circuit in this zone, SELV with the transformer located beyond zone 2. If there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required.

5 Zone 1 for a Bathroom is the same width as zone 0 (the width of the bath). extending to above the finished floor level. Zone 1 for a shower room is from the finished floor level or the height of the fixed shower head from the finished floor level if more than , and the width of the shower basin. If the shower has no basin then zone 1 extends to around the fixed shower head. Zone 1 does not include zone 0. The space under an open bath tub or shower basin is considered to be zone 1. However, if the space under the bath or shower basin is only accessible with a tool, it is considered to be outside the Zones .

6 Extractor fans installed within zone 1 must be at least IPX4. Extractor fans installed within zone 1 must be fitted with 12v SELV motors with the SELV transformers and isolators fitted outside of zone 0, 1 & 2. Recon Electrical Ltd, Units 1-6 Ambrose Buildings, Broombank Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QJ. VAT Reg: 598 6371 75 Company Reg: 3191383. Zone 2. Applies to the area beyond Zones 0 and 1, horizontally and up to vertically, including any recessed window with a sill next to the bath. This area requires Electrical products to be IPX4 or better, or SELV with the transformer located beyond zone 2.

7 It is advisable to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap as Zone 2. If there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required. Zone 2 for a Bathroom is the same height as zone 1 ( ) extended to around the bath. Zone 2 for a shower room is the same height as zone 1 extended to around the shower basin. If there is no shower basin zone 2 is replaced by zone 1. extended to around the fixed shower head. Extractor fans installed within zone 2 must be at least IPX4.

8 Extractor fans installed within zone 2 must be fitted with 12v SELV motors with the SELV transformers and isolators fitted outside of zone 0, 1 & 2. Outside Zones These are classed as anywhere outside Zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits). and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating is required here unless water jets are used for cleaning purposes in Zones 1, 2 and Outside Zones , in which case a minimum IPX5 must be used. Portable equipment is allowed in Outside Zones providing they are located where their flex length prevents them from being used in Zone 2, and they must be plugged in outside the Bathroom , with the socket far enough away to ensure the appliance cannot be used inside zone 3.

9 Any space under the bath is considered out of scope, so long as it cannot be accessed without using tools such as a screwdriver. Recon Electrical Ltd, Units 1-6 Ambrose Buildings, Broombank Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QJ. VAT Reg: 598 6371 75 Company Reg: 3191383. IP Numbers Electrical equipment in bathrooms must have a satisfactory level of Ingress Protection (mechanical and moisture protection) against factors such as condensation, humidity, steam, drops of water or sprays from showers. Ingress Protection, or IP numbers, indicate the level of protection needed, with the first number representing mechanical, and the second moisture.

10 Equipment with no IP number must not be used in Zones 0, 1 or 2, or in any other wet or damp location. These include standard Electrical wall fittings such as sockets, flexible cord outlets and fused switches. Shaver power points are not IP rated; however, if they comply with BS. EN 60742 Chapter 2, Section 1, they can be located in zone 2 or in Outside Zones , so long as they are not likely to be sprayed by water from a shower. PELV and SELV. Electrical products may also be identified as as PELV Protective Extra Low Voltage, low voltage but connected to earth, or SELV Separated Extra Low Voltage, low voltage but with output isolated from the input.