Rules for bathroom fan heaters

twopenny

So I've inherited these in the bungalow and while ugly they are great for the shoulder season on a cold morning/evening when the heating isn't on.

Now I finally have people offering to do the bathroom I'm looking at potentially having fitted cupboards which are where the fan is. Far side from the bath/shower and I would need to move it.

Are they still legal and could I put it closer to the bath - opposit end to the shower or taps. I could perhaps squeeze it in a corner over the loo if I had to but not so useful.

But wondered if they are still legal so it could be repositioned with rewire or if I would fall into any problems with moving it?

daveyjp

They are legal, electrical installation regulations will dictate where it can and can't be installed in terms of distance from showers, baths etc and will need to be hard wired into a fused spur.

twopenny

Thanks Davey, thats how it is at the moment.

I'll try and get some advice on siting it near the lounging end of the bath and cost.

Not beautiful but really heavenly on a cold morning. Compromise for comfort and convenience over style.

I was afeared that they were banned by now.
Was going to remove them when I viewed until I found why they were used during the 'stay in place' during the pandemic.

grumbler

daveyjp said:

They are legal, electrical installation regulations will dictate where it can and can't be installed in terms of distance from showers, baths etc and will need to be hard wired into a fused spur.

And, most likely, have to be switched on/off with a pull-cord switch or from outside of the bathroom.

I have a nice one from Lidl that I really like

ka7e

Bathroom heaters have to have an IP rating, depending how close they are to a water source (zones). Explanatory article here - https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/bathroom-zones-ip-rating-infopage

Mutton_Geoff

Your electrician will be familiar with the 18th edition regs and the zones in your bathroom where it can be located.

twopenny

Electrician. Aww it's taken 2yrs to get a plumber!

Mutton_Geoff

ka7e said:

Bathroom heaters have to have an IP rating, depending how close they are to a water source (zones). Explanatory article here - https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/bathroom-zones-ip-rating-infopage

Your link refers to the older 17th edition rules. The 18th edition now has an "outside zone" but this is limited to "outside zone part 1" which is 3 metres from the outside edge of the bathtub. In the majority of UK homes, this is likely to be the other side of the room or the ceiling. Outwith zone 1 and 2 but within the outside zone part 1, you can have 240v devices but they must be protected by a 30ma RCD.

https://18th-edition.org.uk/bathroom-zones/

macman

Why would they be 'banned'? As long as they're hard wired, pull-cord operated and correctly zoned, they are no more dangerous than any other electrical heater in a bathroom.

twopenny

Why 'Banned?

Because I'm old and I've seen and increasing number of things that have been used safely over the years banned or about to be so I expect the worst.