We owe our visitors and customers an apology - the recent regulations have modified the "IP rating in the bathrooms – bathroom IP zoning" and the "IP zoning in the bathrooms – IP rating".
It is a simple change - the renouncing / eliminating of the zone three, since it is irrelevant when it comes to light fittings and other electrical devices in the bathroom or shower.
Zone 3 has been removed under the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations BS7671.
To illustrate the IP zoning regulations there's the classical bathroom area divided up into areas or "ZONES" which are classified using the numbers 0, 1, and 2(no longer a zone 3).
The luminaires are assigned an "IP RATING"(which can be seen in the description of the light fittings on our website) which indicates how much protection they provide against ingress of water and other particles.
Each zone has a minimum IP requirement that must be met if a fitting is to be installed in this area.
The source for this picture and details: the Aurora Lighting Information on the IP Zoning in the Bathrooms.
IP Zoning in the Bathrooms - the IP Rating and Zones
- IP Zoning - Zone 0 - Inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (max. 12V) and have a minimum rating of IPX7 (protected against immersion in water). If there's the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning - Zone 1 - Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m. A minimum rating of IPX4 is required. If there's the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning - Zone 2 - This is the area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath or shower if over 2.25m. An IP rating of at least IPX4 is required. The same as in zone 1 - If there's the likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, a minimum of IPX5 is required for the light fittings or electrical devices.
- IP Zoning - Anywhere outside zones 0, 1, and 2 - this is where water jets are not to be used for cleaning purposes, the general rules of BS7671 apply. IP not essential - IP rating is not required.
Please Note: The above information is intended as a guide only - if you want to find out more detailed information on the IP rating and the IP Zoning in the Bathrooms, please refer to the IEE Wiring Regulations(BS 7671:2001 section 601).
