Choosing the right lamps for wet areas
Some of our lamps can be used indoors as well as outdoors, and are especially well suited to bathrooms, because of their ability to withstand water and steam.
That being said, careful attention must be paid to placing lighting in wet areas. There are a number of rules relating to IP ratings (find out more about IP ratings here), and wet zones.
Bathroom zones
The placement of light fittings in bathrooms is governed by three main zones, in which you can only place light fittings of compliant IP ratings. These zones are split according to the risk of the light fittings coming into contact with water. No IP rating is required for fittings place outside of these three zones.
Please see below for a description of each bathroom zone:
Zone 2:
0.6m outside the bath or shower and above bath if over 2.25m. If there is no danger of a direct jetspray being accidentally applied to the fitting, IP44 (splashproof) or greater is required in this area.
Zone 1:
Above the bath to a height of 2.25 metres. IP65 (jetproof) down to IP44 (splashproof). Where there is no showerhead or rail over the bath, IP44 (splashproof) should be safe enough. Inside a shower or bath area, where there is a shower head or demountable shower hand-set, fittings should be IP65 (jetproof) or more.
Zone 0:
Within the Bath or Shower. IP68 (submersible). All fittings should be 12 volt and there should be a safety source such as a cut-out switch which should be fitted outside these zones.
Light fittings outside zones
Any light fitting can be installed outside of zones 0, 1 and 2, and does not have to adhere to IP rating regulations. A 30mA residual current device (or RCD) must be installed on the circuit, however, as stipulated by the latest edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations.
N.B. Wash basins currently have no specific regulations. Good advice is to treat the 0.6m area around the basin as Zone 2.
For more information...
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding the service we provide, or if you would like a quotation. We would be more than happy to help you make your dream outdoor space a reality!
Our telephone number is 0345 605 2505, or drop us an email at customerservices@worm.co.uk if that is what you would prefer.
