IP Ratings Explained - Bathrooms

Lighting In Bathrooms

Fitting lights in to bathroom is not as simple as some may think. Safety is a big part of the planning process and certainly should not be taken lightly.

The building regulations are in place to ensure that you and your family are safe whilst showering and or using the bathroom generally. This is why the building regulations have separated a typical bathroom layout in to zones and classified light fittings after these zones so that the consumer can easily understand what light fitting can go in what area of a bathroom.

IEE Wiring Regulations, BS 7671: 2008, Section 701 gives requirements for areas containing a bath or shower. This document should be consulted before installation of appliances.

Areas of the bathroom are split into zones. As a guide only, the requirements for luminaries in each zone may be summarised as follows. Particular care should also be taken with wash basins guidance for these are also contained within BS 7671.

Zone 0 = Refers to the interior of the bath or shower that can hold water. Requires electrical products to be low voltage (max 12V) and rated IPX7.

Zone 1 = Refers to the area above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres and requires a minimum rating of IPX4 (splash-proof), plus RCD protection. IPX5 should be considered if water jets may be present i.e. for cleaning purposes.

Zone 2 = Covers an area 0.6 metres wide immediately next to, and all around Zone 1. Wash basins should also be treated as Zone 2. The minimum rating here is IPX4.