Bathroom Lighting Zones
All bathroom lighting installations must comply with guidelines which are based on zonal concept similar to that used for the installation of lighting around swimming pools. Bathroom lighting must be installed by a trained electrician which conforms to part P regulations.
Each zone rating (IP) is determined by the degree of risk of electrical shock. Please see the diagrams below and the zone specifications.
Zone 0
This is the area inside the bath or shower basin and is rated IPx7.
Zone 1
Refers to the area above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 meters and carries a minimum rating of IPx4.
Zone 2
Covers an area 0.6 meters wide immediately next to, and all around zone 1, plus the area 2.5 meters high directly over the bath or shower. Wash basins should also be treated as zone 2. The minimum rating here is IPx4.
Where water jets are likely to be used for cleaning the purposes in zones 1 and 2, the minimum rating is IPx5.
Zone 3
Has no special requirements, unless water jets are likely to be used for cleaning purposes.
Equipment installed outside zones 0, 1, 2 and 3 must be suitable for the conditions most likely to prevail at the particular point.
