Bathroom Ceiling Lights

One of the common questions our customers ask us is related to bathroom lighting, and quite a few of them ask us about IP20-rated lights, and whether they are suitable for use in the bathroom. Are IP20 rated light fittings suitable for use in the bathroom? Can I install an such a light in the bathroom? Questions like these are posed every day, especially since there are some amazing such ceiling lights or wall lamps that the customers really love, and they would like to install them in the bathroom. Let's explore this question together and see what is the correct answer to, Are IP20-rated Lights Suitable for Bathroom Lighting?Note: at Sparks we sell a wide range of IP20 rated lights, IP44 rated light fittings, and IP65 rated lights.IP Rating and Bathroom Zones - Rules and RegulationsWhen installing anything in the bathroom in the UK we need to know the current regulations, which are contained in the 18th Edition Wiring Regs. You may not know them, but it is good to know what wiring regulations apply to installing lights and light fittings in the bathroom, otherwise we put ourselves in great danger, because water and electricity should never mix. Electrical hazards and electrical short circuits due to the mixing of water and electricity should be avoided at any cost since they pose great danger to human life. So what do the wiring regulations say about lighting in the bathroom? The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations define certain bathroom zones - see the image.Note: we have introduced the IP ratings, IP zoning, and Bathroom Zones - see the articles linked. The bathroom zones are three: Zone 0 is the area inside the bathtub or in the shower. There is a lot of splashing water and even more, it can be submerged in water, so special light fittings need to be installed here.Zone 1 is the area above and around the bathtub and the shower, up to 2.25m above the floor. This area is also under the reach of splashing water. Zone 2 is the area of up to 60cm beyond the bathtub edge, basically 60cm outside zone 1. There is some reach of water here, but not as much. The outside zone, the zone outside all these areas, where in general there is no splashing water - some call it "zone 3" while others just call it "the zone outside zones 1 and 2".The current wiring regulations state that specific IP-rated light fittings can be installed in the three zones for the protection of human life. The following IP ratings are recommended:In Zone 0 it is recommended to use IP67, total immersion-proof light fittings, and 12v (low voltage) light fittings are recommended. For our safety, it is not recommended to install any light fitting that is under IPx7 in zone 0.In zone 1 it is recommended to use light fittings having an IP rating of minimum IP45, and IP65 light fittings are warmly recommended in this zone, since water can still reach the light fittings. In zone 2, the area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and up to a height of 2.25 from the floor, it is recommended to use light fittings that have an IP rating of IP44, which are protected from water drops. In the zones outside these three, no IP rating is required, so an IP20-rated fitting can be safely installed. However, for safety reasons, it's best to have IP44-rated light fittings outside of the bathroom zones. IP20 Lights - are they good for the Bathroom?Coming back to our original question, are IP20 rated lights suitable for installation in the bathroom? See the picture above: can this Kymi 220 Plaster Wall Light (Paintable) Ridged Semi-Cylindrical Fitting be installed in the bathroom?Buy the Kymi 220 Plaster Wall Light We may like its finish and shape, but is it safe to be in the bathroom? Based on the current wiring regulations, IP20 rated lights can be installed outside the bathroom zones, that is, away from the reach of splashing or dripping water. Depending on the size of the bathroom, there are many spaces and areas where IP20-rated wall lights or ceiling lights can be installed. These areas are not reached by water jets nor are they at the risk of being splashed or sprinkled with water, so IP20 rated light fittings can safely be installed. However, for the sake of safety, it is best to use IP44-rated lights in the bathroom, even outside the bathroom zones. If you want to be on the safe side, we warmly recommend IP44-rated ceiling lights and wall lamps in the bathroom, outside the bathroom zones. Note: we at Sparks are not qualified to offer professional advice, but we can apply the current regulations and offer advice based on our experience. Before installing any light fitting in the bathroom, please consult with a registered electrician - send them the link to where the light fitting can be viewed, and they will advise. If you are planning to clean the bathroom light fitting with a spray of water or maybe wash it, it is best to have the light fittings rated to a minimum IP65. If there is no reach of splashing water where the light fitting is, and it is outside the bathroom zones defined in the wiring regulations, such lights are suitable. In Conclusion: Always Be Safe in the BathroomIn conclusion, it is entirely up to you when installing IP20 rated lights in the bathroom - outside the bathroom zones. For example, the Ortona Twin Matt Black Bathroom Wall Lamp with Opal-Glass Globe Shades IP44 can safely be used in the bathroom, since it is IP44-rated.Buy the Ortona Twin Matt Black Wall Lamp We would advise staying on the safe side, that is, using IP44-rated light fittings even outside the bathroom zones. You never know, with the steam rising from the bathtub, the vapours of air coming out of the shower, water can reach the light fittings located outside the bathroom zones, and electrical hazards can happen. And whatever you do in the bathroom, always consult a registered electrician to both install and advise on the light fittings you are allowed to install there. 

You may have heard of Part P of the Building Regulations; in this article, we want to delve into what it covers, how it affects us, and what needs to be done in case of electrical wiring alterations at home. In 2005 the UK Government introduced electrical safety rules into the Building Regulations for England and Wales. According to these regulations, most fixed electrical installation work in homes must meet the Building Regulations (by law).Continue reading this guide to find out more about:What is Part P of the Building Regulations?What are the Special Locations covered by Part P?How to make sure Electrical Work Meets the Requirements of Part P?How does Part P of the Building Regulations affect Me?What To Do when Electrical Installation Work needs to be Carried out in My Home?Why use a Government-approved Part-P Electrician?Part P of the Building Regulations - Further information In particular, Part P of the Building Regulations states that anyone who carries out electrical installation work in a home has to make sure that this work is designed and installed to protect people from electric shocks and fire. For example, if you want to make any changes to an existing electrical installation, including any parts that have been rewired, all such works need to be done by a Part P-certified competent person. Then, in 2013 further changes were introduced, reducing the range of electrical installation work that is notifiable; these new regulations removed some requirements in the kitchen and outdoors. What is Part P of the Building Regulations?Part P of the Building Regulations makes sure that, in the design and installation of electrical installations in the home, people are protected when operating, maintaining, and altering the installations from fire and injury. In particular, in areas and zones in the bathroom, there has to be appropriate protection against mechanical and thermal damage, and the electrical installations and wiring need to be done in a safe way, so as not to present an electric shock or fire hazard to people. Part P of the Building Regulations in particular addresses electrical work and rewiring done in the bathroom, any addition or alteration to an existing circuit in a special location, the installation of a new circuit, and the replacement of a consumer unit; all these need to be done by a competent electrical person. What is non-notifiable is any other work such as additions or alterations to existing installations outside special locations, maintenance, replacement, and repair work.Buy Hager Consumer Units At Sparks we distribute a wide range of Hager Consumer Units (with the required RCDs, MCBs, and RCBOs) and BG Consumer units; these need to be installed by a registered electrician.What are the Special Locations covered by Part P?Here are the special locations covered by Part P of the Building Regulations A room that contains a bath or a showerThe space surrounding a bath tap or showerhead where the space extends vertically from the finished floor level to a height of 2.25 metres or the position of the showerhead where it is attached to a wall or ceiling at a height higher than 2.25 metres from that level or horizontally where there is a bathtub or shower tray, from the edge of the bathtub or shower tray to a distance of 0.6 metresWhere there is no bathtub or shower tray from the centre point of the showerhead where it is attached to the wall or ceiling to a distance of 1.2 metres,A room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.Furthermore, Part P of the Building Regulations applies to electrical installations in the following locations:A dwelling-house or a flat and parts of the installation that are outside the dwelling (fixed lighting and air conditioning units attached to outside walls, fixed lighting and pond pumps in the garden, etc), in outbuildings (such as sheds, detached garages, domestic greenhouses, etc). Common access areas of blocks of flats such as corridors and staircasesShared amenities of blocks and flats such as laundries, kitchens, and gymnasiumsBusiness premises (other than agricultural buildings) connected to the same meter as the electrical installation in a dwelling (for example, shops and public houses below flats).The Part P of the Building Regulations does not apply to electrical installations in locations such as:Business premises in the same building as a dwelling but with separate meteringLocations that supply the power for lifts in blocks of flats (Part P applies to lift installations in single dwellings).Buy Bathroom Ceiling LightsNote: We at Sparks do not offer advice on installing the bathroom ceiling lights, shower downlights, and shaver sockets; we only sell these, and you need to get a registered electrician to have them installed.How to make sure Electrical Work Meets the Requirements of Part P?All the electrical installations in a home, garden, conservatory or outbuilding must meet the current Building Regulations. However, any electrical work done in the special areas defined by Part P of the Building Regulations needs to be done by an electrical competent person, a Part P registered electrician. The person responsible for making sure that electrical work meets the requirement of Part P of the Building Regulations is the electrician.Buy the Denia Bathroom Ceiling Light If any electrical work is done by a DIY or freelancer who is not registered, local authorities can make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any work that doesn't meet the Building Regulations.How does Part P of the Building Regulations affect Me?The Part P of the Building Regulations requires that a registered electrician is used to do safe electrical installation work at home, especially in the special areas defined by Part P. Their work will meet the UK national standard, BS 7671 (requirements for electrical installations). When they finish their work, the registered electrician will provide you withAn Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Work Certificate that confirms that the work meets BS 7671; andA Building Regulations Compliance Certificate that confirms that the work meets the Building Regulations.What To Do when Electrical Installation Work needs to be Carried out in My Home?If electrical installation work needs to be carried out in your home, you need to make sure you know the current building regulations and act according to them. This means that you need to either tell your local authority building control about the installation work before it starts or employ an electrician who is registered with one of the Government-approved Part P schemes. You can find a registered electrician via this link. In the UK there are some defined competence self-certification schemes such as the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, NAPIT Registration Ltd and Certsure LLP trading as NICEIC and ELECSA, aimed at those who carry out installation work only as an adjunct to or in connection with the primary activity of their business. There is only one body currently authorised to operate third-party certification which is NAPIT.Buy Bathroom Pull Cord Switches At Sparks we sell a wide range of Bathroom Lights and Bathroom Wiring Accessories such as shaver sockets, pull cord switches, etc; all these need to be installed by a government-approved part-p electrician.Why use a Government-approved Part-P Electrician?Some homeowners may think that they can undertake any electrical work in their house, no matter what it is; they like to tinker with things and DIY is their hobby. However, when it comes to special locations in the home and around the home, it is best to be safe when doing any electrical work or installation. Here are some of the advantages of using a registered electrician who is part-P approved to do the electrical installation work:You won't have to pay any building-control charges.The registered electrician can deal with everything for you.The part-P electrician will arrange for you to receive a certificate that confirms the work meets Building Regulations.You have access to a formal complaints procedure if the work doesn't meet Building Regulations.You can choose to take out an insurance-backed guarantee when you have the work done, and you can make a claim if the work is later found not to meet Building Regulations.Part P of the Building Regulations - Further informationThis article was inspired by many of the following sources below, which we recommend for further reading:Part P Of The Building Regulations, via Electrical Safety First.Electrical safety: Approved Document P - Building Regulation in England covering electrical safety in dwellings. Via, the Building Regulations government page.Approved Document P: electrical safety, dwellings - the PDF file of the regulations.Part P Building Regulations via IET, the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

It is well known that combining water and electricity is a recipe for disaster, as water is highly conductive. This means the bathroom - where water is in excess use - is possibly the most dangerous room in the house in terms of electrical safety. It is not only the chance of receiving an electric shock that is higher in the bathroom. The consequences are also far more severe in a bathroom or shower room, as wet skin reduces the body’s resistance to shocks. In this article (inspired from the article on Bathroom Safety, via ESF website), we will advise you on how to stay safe using electrical appliances and devices in your bathroom. Electrical safety in the bathroom: electrical installations and sockets Electrical installations in bathrooms must comply with special requirements that are explained in Part P of the UK Building Regulations. We highly recommend that you use an electrician registered with one of the government-approved schemes to carry out electrical installations. You can find out more about these schemes by visiting the Electrical Safety First (ESF) Find an Electrician page. The next thing to think about is sockets and their placement. Socket outlets should not be permitted in bathrooms or shower rooms (apart from shaver-supply units). This is unless they can be fitted a minimum distance of three metres from the bath or shower. Shaver sockets without transformers should not be used in a wet area such as a shower room or bathroom. When choosing a shaver socket for a bathroom, look at the British Standard BS3535 to see if it is compliant. Any shaver points must be a safe distance from the bath or shower to avoid splashes, which could damage the socket.Buy Shaver Sockets at Sparks Electrical safety in the bathroom: Lights When it comes to lights and light fittings in the bathroom, first of all, you should look at their IP rating and ensure they are at least IP44 rated or above. Any light within Zone 1 (the area above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m from the floor) should be IP65+ rated. We sell a variety of bathroom downlights that are suitable for bathroom use at Sparks. For instance, the Kamo Brushed Nickel downlight has an impressive IP65 rating, protecting it from strong shower spray. It can also hold an energy-saving 6W LED, to save you on running costs. Enclosed or recessed ceiling lights are preferable to suspended lights. This is because they are less likely to experience water splashes. All light fittings which are not enclosed should be placed out of reach of someone using the bathroom, that is, someone who is wet. This is especially important if you are just coming out of the bath or shower. Light switches could be a problem because of the hazard posed by dampness and wet hands. An electrical fault with the light switch could well result in an electrical shock in these cases. It is not recommended to have any wall-mounted switch in the bathroom. This means that a ceiling-mounted pull-cord switch is the safest option, as your wet hands will not be touching a conductive material.Buy Bathroom Lights at Sparks Electrical Safety in the bathroom: Electric showers Electric showers require their own electrical circuit, which in general will have the highest electrical demand out of your household appliances. All circuits in the bathroom must be protected by an RCD (Residual Current Device). Electric showers will also need to be connected to a consumer unit, which is a distribution board for electricity. The cost of fitting an electric shower will depend on whether the consumer unit is up to date and follows current safety standards. Building regulations require adequate ventilation, meaning that extractor fans are essential for helping you to cut down the amount of steam you produce by showering. Electrical Safety in the bathroom: Heaters and towel rails Central heating is the safest way to keep the bathroom warm, and it will also supply heaters and towel rails with electricity. This is a great way to start your day off - by drying yourself down with a warm towel. However, there are some safety precautions you should take before using heaters in the bathroom. Electric and gas water heaters in a bathroom should be fixed and permanently wired. The only exception is if they are powered by a socket fitted three metres from a bath or shower.Buy Electric Towel Rail at Sparks If you have an electric heater, it must also be fixed at a safe distance from the bath or shower. A pull-cord or a switch outside the bathroom is the ideal way to control electric heaters. Once again, this lessens the chance of your wet hand coming into contact with electricity. Electrical appliances really can make your life easier in the bathroom, as you set about grooming for the day ahead or preparing for bed. Electric showers, heated towel rails, and bright lights all make washing a more pleasant experience. However, it is important to follow the above minimal electrical safety tips in the bathroom to ensure you are using electrics inside your bathroom in a safe manner.

We here at Sparks sell items both online and via our trade counter in Holloway Road, London. When purchasing items online, we all have experienced disappointment to a certain extent, for the product may not be as described, it would stop working after an hour - it might even be the wrong item entirely. However, when it comes to online sales for electrical goods, these mistakes can turn out to be dangerous, so extra care must be taken. The statistics are scary when it comes to counterfeit scams online - approximately one-third of the UK population has fallen victim to these ploys. Meanwhile, one in seven Brits experience loss or serious damage caused by electrical appliances bought from e-commerce stores. It is obvious that some online retailers are not doing their part to keep their customers safe. We at Sparks can warmly offer advice on how to avoid counterfeit scams online. Before you even start browsing for online goods, make sure you are using a credit card or a PayPal account to pay, as your purchases will be insured. The rise of counterfeit scams online In the past few years, there has been an upturn in the number of counterfeit products sold online. Fake electrical goods are far more susceptible to having incorrect or faulty parts. This is extremely dangerous; so far, there are 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries caused by faulty electrical goods annually in the UK. A large portion of this damage can be attributed to risky fake purchases. Scam artists have spotted this opportunity as more customers look to find a bargain online. When people buy items from a lesser-known source, they could be in for a nasty surprise. Top tips for spotting if an item may be fake or counterfeit online Think about the price - if the price is too good to be true then it probably is! A product that costs significantly less than the high street retail price may be a fake. Remember: reviews can be convincingly faked. Use vendors that have been ‘verified’ by a trusted site, as they have cross-referenced that person’s selling history with their reviews. Review sites such as Trustpilot and Feefoo are known to be reliable. Make sure there is a full address, and not just a PO box number for the item. Some countries have lax regulations and are more likely to produce counterfeit goods than the UK. Remember that not all sites ending in ‘co.uk’ are based in the UK. Carefully read the product guarantees, sellers’ terms and conditions, returns policies and privacy statements. Be wary of vendors claiming their item is ‘genuine’, ‘real’ or ‘authentic’. Reputable retailers do not need to label their wares as such, as it is presumed they are authentic. Avoid buying second-hand products in cases where the guarantee has run out: you have no idea what condition it may be in. Check the site is a member of an online retail accrediting body, as they have to follow certain service standards. During online sales, the payment page should have a padlock symbol at the bottom. This is to signal that the site is secure: if there is no padlock sign do not enter your payment details. Keep records of your online orders. This article from the Telegraph goes into more detail about organisations that vet retailers such as Internet Shopping is Safe (ISIS). Thankfully, ISIS accredited retailers now account for around two-thirds of all UK online exchanges.Safely Buy Lights Online Top tips for checking if you’ve bought a counterfeit item Examine the packaging and item closely. Signs an item is fake include flimsy packaging or shoddy printing. If you are suspicious then check for a picture of the item online from a trusted high-street retailer. Check for the safety certification label, on both the item and the package. All electrical goods ought to have one of these if they have been made by a legitimate manufacturer. Ensure that everything is as it should be. Fake products often do not supply standard supplementary material such as a manual or a product registration card. Check that you have received a standard three-pin UK plug or charger (if the item was purchased from a UK retailer). Keep in mind that if you spent more than £100 on your credit card, you can hold both the trader and credit card company responsible, if the sale goes badly. If the product isn’t working properly or keeps on cutting out, turn it off immediately. Do the same if it speeds up without warning, if the outer case is hot to the touch, or if it is emitting smoke. Trust your instinct. If something else unsettles you about the purchase, there is probably a good reason. Visit the high street to compare the product to those in sale in store. Actions to take once you have realised you’ve purchased a fake item online Act immediately - contact the supplier and state your case, demanding an explanation. It is possible there was a mix up that they can clarify and resolve. Demand a refund in a civil but firm way. It is your legal right to receive a full refund if you have bought a counterfeit item If the seller refuses to refund your counterfeit item, then contact the retailer that manages that marketplace (such as Amazon, ebay, etc). These trusted retailers are able to intervene on your behalf. If they are unable to help, phone the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for advice on taking further action. If the seller is a member of accreditation body ISIS, then you can ask them to look into your complaint. Report the item you purchased as a fake to Trading Standards so that they can take action against the seller. You will be protecting their next potential victim by doing so. The final resort is taking the seller to court, which will cost you further expenses. If you have a good case and win, however, your court costs will be reimbursed.Buy the Tate Wall Lamp Online Returning recalled items You should take an inventory of your electrical home appliances and then check if the product has been issued for a recall using this checker. The most commonly recalled items include electrical chargers, adapters, extensions and spare product leads. Also in the list are small kitchen appliances such as toasters, kettles and irons. Statistics show that UK homeowners do not keep track of product recalls. The average success rate of a UK product recall is only 10-20%, which means there are thousands of potentially dangerous appliances still in use. Remember to utilize the product recall checker linked above to make sure you are not putting yourself at risk. A reminder of your rights and how to get recourse for counterfeit goods If an item is fake or broken when it arrives, you have the legal right to a repair, replacement and/or full refund for the item. You can utilise the Citizens Bureau, the manufacturer or Trading Standards to pursue your complaint. When buying from any company in the EU, European Law will protect you from counterfeit goods in many circumstances. Check out the UK European Consumer site to know your rights. Understanding your rights as a buyer is crucial to guaranteeing you do not fall victim to counterfeit scams online. And if you do, there are plenty of actions of recourse you can take, as detailed in this article.

Bathrooms are no longer purely functional washrooms but are now seen as a showcase for a home, or as a relaxing sanctuary from a hectic family life. Everyone - men and women alike - are spending an increasing amount of time in the bathroom these days. We may not be consciously aware of this shift, but if it is true, then shouldn’t we be making improvements to this room to which we dedicate so much time? For instance, the lighting of a bathroom can make or break the decor and atmosphere of the entire room. In this article we would like to offer some insight on the planning, dimming, current regulations, and the types of lights one can use for modern bathroom lighting. Planning your modern bathroom lighting layout While laying out your plan for a bathroom refurbishment, first consider where the basin, toilet, and bath are to be positioned. After these locations are identified, next up is to consider is the lighting. You should start considering the running of all the cables before you begin the serious business of tiling and decorating. Next up, you should consider the space you have within the bathroom, and how many lighting ‘scenes’ you wish to create. For instance, a little cloakroom may only require one lighting scene, while a room with a bath would need at least two types - a bright warm light for quick stops and ‘soft and low light’ for longer relaxing soaks. When creating your lighting ‘scene’ ensure that you have at least two light switches. These can be legally positioned inside the bathroom, so long as they are a safe distance from wet areas. The easiest solution is to position both switches outside, adjacent to the door. The importance of Dimmer Switches in your modern bathroom lighting layout Dimmer switches are extremely in vogue at the moment, being an inexpensive means to control the brightness level of your light. This is useful, for instance, if you are popping in for a night time trip to the toilet and don’t want to be rudely blasted by the full glare of your bulb. All major lighting types can now be dimmable via a dimmer switch, depending on the specific model. All mains, low-voltage halogen or any ‘standard’ filament-type bulbs are dimmer friendly, while an increasing number of LEDs, fluorescent and CFL bulbs are compatible with this technology now too. Advise on choosing the correct dimmer switch for your light bulb type can be found here.Buy Cabaret Bathroom Wall Lights Regulations - which light bulbs can be fitted in your modern bathroom lighting layout When fitting any light inside a bathroom you must confirm it is at least IP44 rated, which makes it suitable for bathroom zones 2 and 3. With IP ratings, the first digit explains how well-protected the fixture is against solids, and the second digit indicates its level of protection against liquids. The second ‘4’ in IP44 tells you that it is rated as ‘protected from water sprayed from all directions’. This means you can use an IP44-rated light anywhere in the bathroom, excluding the inside of the bath or shower room itself. A higher rating is offered by IP65 rated lights which are ‘jet-proof’ meaning they can take on the spray from a shower nozzle and are therefore suitable for any bathroom zone, particularly in the shower. Click here for a more in-depth explanation of IP ratings in the bathroom. The General Types of Lighting which are essential for starting a complete bathroom lighting layoutNext, it is time to examine the general lighting types you will be dealing with in a bathroom setting. First up there are Ceiling Lights, which should be placed as centrally as possible for an easy lighting solution. The Mashiko Series is a beautiful range of ceiling lights that offer refined and contemporary lighting at an affordable price. The one drawback of ceiling lights is that they may illuminate the room in a general way, but cannot replicate the feeling of more specific lighting, such as mood lighting or task lighting. Downlights, meanwhile, can be considered an alternative to ceiling lights, which consume more space. Downlights are smaller in size and a standard 2-metre by 2-metre bathroom would require three to four of them. For the most effective lighting effect, position these lights close to the edges of the bathroom. This will achieve an attractive border of light washing down each wall, with a gentler and more nuanced ambiance than the ceiling lights. The Void Series of downlights offers a range of Fire-Rated downlights with a convenient variety of beam angles. Many of them feature other useful capabilities, such as the dimmable function (if a dimmer switch is used), for instance, the Void 80 GU10 LED downlight. Spotlights are another general lighting type to consider. They are surface-mounted and offer more versatility in where they may be angled.Buy Void Ceiling Downlights For example, there are fittings with three spotlights available for purchase; these useful lights can be individually directed into three separate areas of the room, which creates a more interesting and less ‘general’ lighting scene. Take, for instance, Ascoli triple spotlights are guaranteed to class up your bathroom area. The Ascoli Triple Ceiling Spotlight in Bronze is a prime example of a model that exudes pure class both in appearance and performance. This post was largely inspired by the Astro official guide on Bathroom Lighting.