BUYERS GUIDE

Bathroom Lighting should be primarily safe.

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lighting differs from lighting in other parts of the house in that it must not only be functional but also safe.

All installations must comply to guidelines which are based on a zonal concept. Each zone rating (IP) is determined by the degree of risk of electric shock.

When buying bathroom lighting you should ensure that the product is suitable for its use and that the product is sufficiently sealed and protected against the risk of electric shock and the damage caused by water and water vapour ingress. Lighting products are all clearly labelled Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3, or a combination of these as Zone 0 lighting, for example, can also be used in the other zones as it has the highest protection.

Zone 0 This is the area inside the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25 meters and carries a minimum rating of IPx7.

Zone 1Refers 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 metres wide immediately next to, and all around zone 1, plus the area over 2.5 metres 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 purposes in zones 1 and 2, the rating is a minimum IP x 5.

Zone 3 Have 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 that particular point.

Types of lighting

You will probably want to install dedicated lighting for the two most functional areas of your bathroom. The first is the wash basins which normally will have a mirror or mirrors above them for shaving and make-up. The lighting can be installed directly over the mirror so that casts its light downwards or you can install two wall lights each side of the mirror or install a mirror, or mirrored bathroom cabinet, that has lighting built into it.

 

The second important functional area is the shower, shower/bath or bath. In most cases a recessed downlight installed in the ceiling is the ideal solution as it is discrete, but also provides the light needed to locate your favourite shower gels and shampoos - particularly if you are bleary-eyed in the morning!

For the rest of the bathroom you can consider wall lights or ceiling lights as appropriate. There are so many bathroom lights on the market that you need not feel constrained by design. You can create a highly contemporary feel with chrome or steel lighting, or a more traditional mood with period-style lighting.

Bathroom Lighting suppliers