washing machine building regs tenant liability

shortcrust

The first answer here might be helpful:

https://www.mybuilder.com/questions/v/8991/is-it-legal-to-fit-a-washing-machine-in-the-bathroom

...a washing machine is allowed in a bathroom as long as the manufacturer (of the machine) says its ok in a bathroom!
it MUST be fitted to a fused connection unit (in laymans terms, it looks like the connection for your boiler - a wire from the boiler, hardwired into the wall. inside that little box is a fuse). ie you cannot just have a socket and plug the machine in. and electrician will hardwire it in for you.
that is according to IET 17th edition regulations

so to answer the question - yes you can have a washing machine in a bathroom....

im currently doing exactly this in my renovation project im working on

ps both previous posters incorrectly state the 3m rule, regs have probably changed since they stated those rules.

iet 17th ed says

"Current-using equipment The 16th Edition made a clear division between equipment permitted to be installed in zone 1 and equipment permitted to be installed in zone 2. In the 17th Edition no requirements are stated for zone 2. This is because all circuits of the location now require RCD protection. The term “current-using equipment other than fixed current-using equipment” no longer appears in the 17th Edition. Current-using equipment, such as washing machines and tumble dryers for example, continue to be allowed to be installed beyond zone 2, subject to manufacturers’ approval similar to the 16th Edition. Such equipment must be supplied by means of a fused connection unit within 3 m horizontally from the boundary of zone 1. Beyond 3 m they may be supplied by means of a plug and socket-outlet."

Skibunny40

Worth considering if tenants will be put off renting the property because they don't think it's safe ( regardless of the LL saying "oh yes, it's fine, it meets regulations). I know I wouldn't be happy about it as a tenant.

Doozergirl

Some serious over reactions going on here.

The best answer is the one shortcrust has linked to. You don't put plug sockets in the bathroom, you hard-wire it up like you should be doing in the kitchen, with a switch on the wall with a fuse in it, not a plug into a socket.

The Ideal Home article falls short of providing proper information but I find that journalists don't actually know what they're talking about, although, tbf, they gave it a go.

People need to calm down. If it isn't plugged in with a three pin plug and is wired in properly, it's safe.

seven-day-weekend

Deleted_User wrote: »

I've seen loads of properties with washing machines in bathrooms. Usually lived in by Americans who seem to despise the idea of a washing machine in the kitchen.

I generally thought it was OK if it wired outside the bathroom?

When we lived in Spain, our washing machine was in the downstairs cloakroom. It was usual to have them in cloakrooms or bathrooms. It was considered unhygenic to have them in kitchens.

shortcrust

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

When we lived in Spain, our washing machine was in the downstairs cloakroom. It was usual to have them in cloakrooms or bathrooms. It was considered unhygenic to have them in kitchens.

I know it’s a well worn debate - and a bit off topic - but I really don’t get why people think washing machines are unhygienic. How filthy are these people’s clothes?! I suppose they wouldn’t blink at the thought of a dishwasher in the kitchen despite them being a source of ungodly odours (in my childhood experience anyway...).

Carrot007

shortcrust wrote: »

I know it’s a well worn debate - and a bit off topic - but I really don’t get why people think washing machines are unhygienic.

Dirty water and bacteria and you question it?


Or course it all comes down to the user.


Do they use the cleaning program ever? (Or with machines without an explicit one an empty hot as it goes wash). Do they take out the draw and clean it (yes even if they never use it it will get mould). How about in the seal?


They can be unhygenic but it's the people that make is so not the machine its self.


Or course bunging them out of the way makes cleaning less likely if you ask me, so in the kitchen where you often are seems a good idea!

shortcrust wrote: »

dishwasher in the kitchen despite them being a source of ungodly odours (in my childhood experience anyway...).

Sounds like another thing that people do not adiquately clean to me.

shortcrust

Carrot007 wrote: »

Dirty water and bacteria and you question it?


Or course it all comes down to the user.


Do they use the cleaning program ever? (Or with machines without an explicit one an empty hot as it goes wash). Do they take out the draw and clean it (yes even if they never use it it will get mould). How about in the seal?


They can be unhygenic but it's the people that make is so not the machine its self.


Or course bunging them out of the way makes cleaning less likely if you ask me, so in the kitchen where you often are seems a good idea!







Sounds like another thing that people do not adiquately clean to me.

I’m quite bacteria conscious having worked in hospitals - and having picked up some nasty bugs over the years - but a washing machine just doesn’t worry me as a source of infection. Some of the articles on the subject are alarmist to say the least and I’d bet most people’s tea towels are bigger reservoirs of bacteria. Close the door of a wet machine and leave it for a week, rub the inside and handle food and you might have a problem, but using one in the way most people do isn’t risky IMHO.

I wonder if there’s ever been a case of food poisoning that been traced to a contaminated washing machine. I’ve never heard of one. You’d think if they really were unhygienic such cases would be a very common occurrence.

aliby21

Doozergirl wrote: »

Some serious over reactions going on here.

The best answer is the one shortcrust has linked to. You don't put plug sockets in the bathroom, you hard-wire it up like you should be doing in the kitchen, with a switch on the wall with a fuse in it, not a plug into a socket.

The Ideal Home article falls short of providing proper information but I find that journalists don't actually know what they're talking about, although, tbf, they gave it a go.

People need to calm down. If it isn't plugged in with a three pin plug and is wired in properly, it's safe.

An alternative is to build a cupboard round the washing machine so it is not in the same 'room'. This is the option I have, as advised by a very fastidious electrician

sooty&sweep

Hi

In our previous house we moved our washer dryer into the bathroom. There was space for it there.
It allowed us to free up space in the kitchen to fit in a dishwasher.

Jen

getmore4less

aliby21 wrote: »

An alternative is to build a cupboard round the washing machine so it is not in the same 'room'. This is the option I have, as advised by a very fastidious electrician

Often a fairly decent solution with a stacking kit offering an opportunity to increase sound insulation.