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Bathroom IEE Regulation Explanation.

The British Standard EN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies from i.e. hands, fingers, tools, dust and moisture etc. This classification system utilizes the letters IP which stands for Ingress Protection followed by two or three digits. A third digit is sometimes used. An "X" is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only. You may find that this is used in the IEE Regulations covering the bathroom regulation.

Water and Electricity does not mix. Therefore there are minimum safety requirements for the installation of electrical equipment within any area that may come into contact with water

IEE Bathroom Regulation. ( IP Rating = Ingress Protection Rating ).

To insure electrical safety within a bathroom, the area has been divided into zones. The zones are numbered according to the distance away from the water source and have corresponding safety requirements.

We recommend that you consult with a qualified electrician to ensure that all the electrical installations are installed in accordance with the latest issue of the IEE Regulations. All installations must comply to the guidelines which are based on a zoned concept similar to that used for the installation of lighting around swimming pools. Each zone rating (IP) is determined by the degree of risk of electric shock.

Zone 0. = IP67 and refers to the area inside the bath or shower basin itself. Only equipment with rated IPx7 or higher should be installed within this area.

Zone 1. = IP44 and refers to the area above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 meters from the floor. In this zone only equipment with a minimum rating of IPx4 or higher should be installed.

Zone 2. = IP44 and refers to the area 0.6 meters wide of and 2.25mtrs from the floor above zone 1. The area within 0.6 meters surrounding wash hand basins should also be treated as zone 2.

Zone 3. = IP20 and refers to the area outside zones 0, 1, and 2 as stated above except where water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes etc. This is the area where minimal contact with water will occur and therefore no specified IP rating is required other than the protection required for normal domestic use which is IP20

Safe Zone. = No IP and refers to the area outside zones 0, 2 and 3 as stated above. No specified IP rating is required.

Please note that if water jets are to be used for cleaning purposes in any of the above zones then an IP rating of IP65 must be used for all electrical equipment installed.

Please see the diagram below to help you under stand the zoned areas within the bathroom.

Showers and water heaters. Showers and water heaters should have an IPX4 rating or above.

Extractor Fans. Extractor fans with an IPX4 rating or higher should be installed in Zone 2 or above but the SELV source must be located in zone 3 or beyond.

Shaver Sockets. Generally shaver sockets won,t have an IP rating, but if they comply with BS EN 61558-2-5 they can safely be installed in zone 2 as long as they are away from the bath or shower unit and are not likely to come in contact with shower water spray.

Heated Towel Rails. If a towel rail is required to be installed within the zone 2 it should have a rating of IPX4. Heated towel rails are subjected to BS EN 60335-2-43 (2003) which requires an IP rating at least IPX1.

Wall Heaters. If a wall heater is required to be installed within the zone 2 then it should have a rating of IPX4.