DO I NEED SPECIAL LIGHTS IN MY BATHROOM?
The answer to this one is simple; "YES".
Great care must be taken when selecting a bathroom light as all bathrooms light as all bathroom lighting must conform to the current regulations which are designed with safety in mind. To fully understand, Explore our blog topic The Definitive Guide to Bathroom Lights where you find facts and inspiration for a safe and beautiful bathroom lighting scheme.
Whenever you have electricity and water, there is an increased risk and this is why the regulations are very specific.
For the purposes of the regulations, the bathroom is divided into different zones and the lights are given a two-digit number, known as an IP (Ingress Protection) number or classification.
The first number of the IP Rating indicates the degree of protection against dust particles or solid objects and ranges from 0 for no protection up to 6 for total protection.
It is the second number that is of more interest in the bathroom lighting, as this represents the degree of protection from moisture and ranges from 0 for no protection and up to 8 for a light that will be totally submerged underwater.
Zoning Information
Zone 0 - This is inside the bath or shower tray itself, and any light here must be low voltage and rated IPx7 (the x is used here because the degree of dust protection does not apply to bathrooms and any number will be OK). Lights rated IPx7 will provide total protection when immersed in water.
Zone 1 - is above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25 metres above floor level and a light fitting with a minimum of IPx4 teamed with low voltage is needed here.
Zone 2 - an area stretching to 0.6 metres outside the bath and above the bath or shower if it is over 2.25 metres. A light fitting of at least IPx4 is needed. Zone 2 also includes the area above the sink within a radius of 0.6 metres from the taps.
Not Zoned - refers to the area beyond Zone 2 and was previously known as Zone 3. There is no longer a specific IP number for this area, and any light fitting can be used unless it is specifically marked as not for use in bathrooms.
IP Rating Explained
First Digit
0 – Not Protected
1 – Protected from objects larger than 50mm
2 – Protected from objects larger than 12.5mm
3 – Protected from objects larger than 2.5mm
4 – Protected from objects larger than 1mm
5 – Protected from majority of dust
6 – Dust tight
Second Digit
0 – Not Protected
1 – Protected from vertical drips of water
2 – Protected from drips of water up to 15° from vertical
3 – Protected from spraying water up to 60° from vertical
4 – Protected from spraying water from all directions
5 – Protected from water jets
6 – Protected from powerful water jets
7 – Suitable for immersion up to 1 metre
8 – Suitable for continuous immersion beyond 1 metre
