Lighting Regulations

For the purposes of installing electrical equipment, a bathroom is divided into zones. The criteria for each zone is based on the risk of electric shock. The zones relate to the IP rating of products and where they can be safely installed. These regulations apply to domestic installations only.

Zones Explained

Zone 1
Refers to the area above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 metres and requires a minimum rating of IPX4 (splash-proof). Shown in beige on illustration.

Zone 2
Covers an area 0.6 metres wide immediately next to and all around Zone 1. Wash basins should also be treated as zone 2. The minimum rating here is IPX4. Shown in orange on illustration.

Outside Zones
Has no special requirements, unless water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes. Shown in green on illustration.

IP Ratings Explained

The IP (Ingress Protection) standard describes a uniform system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment.

First Numeral - Protection against ingress of foreign bodies e.g. tools, dust, fingers etc
0 - No protection
1 - Protected against solid objects with a diameter of 50mm and over (e.g. accidental insertion of hands).
2 - Protected against solid objects over 12mm (e.g. jointed fingers)
3 - Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm (tools)
4 - Protected against solid objects over 1mm (small wires)
5 - Protected against dust - limited ingress permitted (no harmful deposit)
6 - Totally protected against dust

Second Numeral - Protection against ingress of liquids
0 - No protection
1 - Protected against drops of condensed water. Drops of condensed water falling on the enclosure shall have no harmful effect.
2 - Protected against drops of liquid. Drops of falling liquid shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees from the vertical.
3 - Protected against rain. Water falling in rain at an angle equal or smaller than 60 degrees with respect to the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
4 - Protected against splashing. Liquid splashed from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
5 - Protection against water jets. Water projected by a nozzle from any direction under stated conditions shall have no harmful effect.
6 - Protection against conditions on ship decks (deck watertight equipment). Water from heavy seas shall not enter the enclosures under prescribed conditions.
7 - Protection against immersion in water. It shall not be possible for water to enter the enclosure under stated conditions of pressure and time.
8 - Protection against indefinite immersion in water under specified pressure. It shall not be possible for water to enter the enclosure.