Help needed re:bathroom light fitting regulations.

nickinoo

Well the title says it all really, I finally got round to trying to buy some bathroom light fittings for my new home & was informed that the reason I can't find anything compatable with a batten fitting is that a bathroom shouldn't have that type of fitting. The thing is this is a brand new house so I assumed everything had been installed correctly?

I have tried so hard to find out the legal requirements but failed.

Can anyone help?

Debt_Free_Chick

nickinoo wrote:

I have tried so hard to find out the legal requirements but failed.

It has to be a completely sealed unit as explained here

What are you trying to install - a fluorescent light? A normal one won't do in a bathroom - you must have a splashproof sealed unit, suitable for a bathroom.

Mr_Grumpy_7

Have a look at:

http://www.lightfan.co.uk/lightinf02.htm

It explains how the bathroom is divided up into zones (0 thru to 3). Once you have decided where you want to put your light fitting, you can determine the zone. Then all you need to do is buy a light fitting specified for the relevant zone or better, i.e. a light fitting for zone 1 will be OK for zone 2.

Sparky29

Should have IPx4 protection on the packaging to say that it is suitable for use in a bathroom type enviroment. It is more expensive than many other fittings you may find but it provides protection from bathroom moisture hazards, ie condensation, steam & splashes from the shower. Don't cut corners as if you have an electrical fire your insurance may not pay out.

nickinoo

Thanks for all the replies so far but I am still not sure whether the building using a batten fitting is legal or not.

shockingmoment

look at the link from the previous post. if the existing fitting is in zone 3 (>2.25m, not above the bath) then no special requirements so the bayonet fitting is ok.

otherwise - identify the zone for the fitting and make sure anything you buy is suitable for that zone