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Bathroom Light Zones | 18th Edition

Bathroom Light Zones | Edition 18

It is important when installing bathroom lights that the regulations are followed to ensure safety for all users. It is also important if you intend letting your property as you will be required to have your electrical system certified. 

Firstly, simple and hopefully obviously you cannot use a portable light in the bathroom, so no table or floor lamps, for a general overall light use a ceiling light which will usually be flush mounted, ie fixed direct to the ceiling, this reduces any water ingress into the unit, or if you have the space a fixed pendant version will work. We do both using LED or standard bulbs.

You can also use spotlights if you require directional light or wall mounted bathroom lights for mood lighting. You can use 240 v systems, but for lights in Zone 0 ( i.e. ceiling light in a shower cubicle) this would operate of a 12v system, with the transformer outside that zone - usually in a roof void)

With all bathroom lights, placement i.e. where in the bathroom you wish to install the light will determine the types available as the bathroom is split into zones. Lights are also rated by IP (Ingress Protection) and 2 numbers or IPX+Number. (Basically the higher the number the more protected a fitting is) Full details of IP rating explained here

Zone 0 - Inside a Bath or shower - The zoning requirement for Zone 0 is for electrical products to be of a low voltage (max 12V) and rated IPX7. Requires electrical products to be low voltage (max. 12 volts) and be IPX7

Zone 1 - Refers to the area directly above zone 0 to a height of 2.25m above the shower tray or bath. The zoning requirement for Zone 1 is for electrical products to have an IPX4 rating or better. Or SELV (safety extra low voltage) products may be used to ensure that the transformer is located in Zone 3 or beyond. A 30ma RCD (residual current device) should also be used in this zone to protect the circuit if using a 240v supply on a separate circuit.

Zone 2 - Refers to the area outside Zones 0 and 1, and it stretches 0.6m horizontally and up to 2.25m vertically. Zone 2 also includes the window sill and window recess is located next to the bath. The zoning requirement for Zone 2 is for electrical products to have an IPX4 or better. The transformer for the SELV unit should be located in zone 3 or beyond.

Not Zoned (was Zone 3) - Refers to the area beyond zone 2, stretching 2.4m horizontally and up to 2.25m vertically. This area used to be referred to as Zone 3 but this is no longer defined and any light fitting can go in this area. No IP requirement, but IP44 + can be preferable as these are splash proof.

Ceilings - Unless the fitting is over a bath or shower and falls into Zones 1 or 2, a normal pendant will do, 

Switches should be pull cord from the ceiling or outside the room.

What are the zones for bathrooms

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