Washing machine in bathroom

arciere

First of all, excuse my lack of knowledge in the field, I work in IT so I am not 100% familiar with the electricity/regulations/safety aspects.

Basically, we finally got the keys for our first home, it's a small flat but the previous owners had managed to find the room to keep the washing machine in the bathroom.
The kitchen is also fairly small, but we are purchasing a dishwasher too, so there will be no space left for any washing machine there.
Now, taking a look at the electrical side of things, the bathroom has 2 electrical sockets next to the bathtub (so I guess this is 'Zone 2'), which I know is a no-no.

I spoke to an electrician, my plan is to remove both sockets, hard-wire the washing machine (IPX4) so no sockets, and replace the fuse box with a RCD one (apparently the one I have now is not RCD). Also, I would like to put a switch for the washing machine outside the bathroom, so that it is only switched on when nobody is taking a shower.

Would this be fairly acceptable?

Heedtheadvice

It might be possible but in practice it is unlikely that regs can be met depending on the particular circumstances. If not met then it cannot be considered safe.

Full details at https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/53/section-701/index.cfm

The particularly difficult areas to comply with could well be distance and the suitability of the machine for the damp atmosphere. That is: it is only acceptable if the manufacturer has designed the machine for such a location where there might be steam and condensing water vapour.
I would start there as apart from the distance requirement all other aspects can probably be covered.

For a small flat/bathroom I would suggest even the distance aspect though could be a non starter!

arciere

Thanks. I was looking at this document (page 5): http://www.amdea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Appliances-in-bathrooms_July09.pdf

Quote:

There is no longer a restriction on the use of appliances in bathrooms though they
need to be suitable for the purpose and meet the IPX4 or IPX5 requirements if sited
in Zone 2

It does say "consideration will need to taken of the humidity that the room might reach which may have a
detrimental effect on the life of the appliance." which I am not too concerned about, it's a fairly cheap washing machine, so the idea of replacing it in a couple of years' time doesn't bother me too much.

Silvertabby

Can't comment on electrical regs, but the Dutch keep washing machines in bathrooms as a matter of course. They think the Brit way of mixing dirty laundry and food is nothing short of filthy!

arciere

Well, I'm Italian, we also keep our washing machines in the bathroom, if it fits.
The thing is, after many years here in the UK, I got used to the 'safety concerns', like electrical sockets, no light switches in the bathroom, etc.
The old owners are Polish, and when the flat got refurbished (by themselves, they are constructors) around 10 years ago they probably decided to move the washing machine to the bathroom. I am quite happy with this, as it leaves space for the dishwasher that we want so badly, but at the same time the closeness to the bathtub got me thinking. Not that I am so stupid to use a hairdryer in the tub, but accidents can happen.

missile

Washing machine in bathroom is common in Spain.
With RCD the regs are IMHO a little too conservative.
Put an isolation switch outside and keep the bathroom well ventilated.

arciere

We also have some wooden sheds outside, one of these used to host a dryer. Worst case, I can re-use the electrical connection for the washing machine, if it's not too difficult to get the water in there.
This is probably what I will do in future as soon as my bank account regains consciousness, I like the idea of having a 'bidet' in the bathroom, horrific as it may sound to you.

Gloomendoom

arciere wrote: »

We also have some wooden sheds outside, one of these used to host a dryer. Worst case, I can re-use the electrical connection for the washing machine, if it's not too difficult to get the water in there.
This is probably what I will do in future as soon as my bank account regains consciousness, I like the idea of having a 'bidet' in the bathroom, horrific as it may sound to you.

I considered that as a temporary measure while I redo our laundry room. The thing freezing solid in the winter has put me off.

Heedtheadvice

You are all correct that it is common practice to have a washing machine in a bathroom on the continent of Europe and I can very much see the sense from the point of view of hygiene!

However the UK regs covering the IP rating requirements and machine design suitability are for electrical safety and need to be followed.

There may be a consequential benefit to machine life if it is designed to resist moisture in it's environment (to the quoted IP rating) but the regs look to extending your life, not the machines life!

Installation in a shed no doubt raises other concerns especially in weather like we have had recently......

peachyprice

Silvertabby wrote: »

Can't comment on electrical regs, but the Dutch keep washing machines in bathrooms as a matter of course. They think the Brit way of mixing dirty laundry and food is nothing short of filthy!

Pretty much the whole of Europe keep their washing machines in the bathroom!

troffasky

I am looking to build a wet room downstairs and was hoping to include a plinth/cupboard to keep the washing machine in [a Bosch, IPX4]. I thought I was happy with the zones but it occurs to me that the zones refer to the thing that holds water. In this case, that's the whole floor. So is the whole room zone 1 [or worse, zone 0]?