Bathroom Lighting RegulationsBathroom Lighting Regulations Luminaires chosen for bathrooms are subject to certain wiring regulations and must be selected and erected, so as to be suitable for the external influences likely to occur at the particular point of installation. Such influences are likely to include steam, falling drops of water and sprays or jets from shower heads. All luminaires can be assigned an IP (Ingress protection) rating. This relates to the protection afforded by the light fitting against penetration by solid particles of moisture. The IP rating consists of 2 numbers. The first number relates to the degree of protection against solid particles, the second to the degree of protection against moisture. For bathroom use the second number is the most important. For example normal household luminaries have a minimum IP rating of 20 (ie no protection against moisture) The required IP rating for light fittings in bathrooms depends on their actual location in the bathroom. The regulations divide the bathroom into zones (see illustrations below) which determines the IP rating. We recommend that all luminaires used in a damp environment are protected with an RCD.
ZONE 0 Interior of bathtub or shower tray- IPx7 and low voltage power supply ie 12 volt. ZONE 1 Perimeter of the bathtub or shower tray up to a height of 2.25 metres above the floor- IPx4. Use IPx5 where water jets are used for cleaning purposes. ZONE 2 Perimeter 0.6 metres wide around zone 1 and 0.75 metres above zone 1 - IPx4. Use IPx5 where water jets are used for cleaning purposes. ZONE 3 Perimeter 2.4 metres wide around zone 2 and 0.75 metres above zone 2- Use IPx5 where water jets are used for cleaning purposes. Otherwise no specified IP rating required, although lights should be suitable for their location and provide adequate protection against electric shock. OUTSIDE OF ZONES There are no stated requirements for IP. Luminaires should be suitable for their location and proved adequate protection againts electric shock. The IEE regulations do not make specific reference to wash basins, but in the opinion of the lighitng association they should be treated as zone
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