Bathroom and bathroom zone clarification

[sterowley]

Just moved into a new rented house with this right next to shower unit

Untitled

• sterowley
• 14 Jul 2010
• 1

It below 2.5m but I think the fuse box has RCD protection but I'm not 100% sure.

Have queried with the landlord but they say that they've had the eleci declared safe. My trainee electrician friend reckons its not up to spec. Its bad pick I'll get a better one tomorrow.

Its literally in line with the shower head and that's a fused spur socket next to it.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The height for it to be out of zone is 2.25metres.
If it is above that then (strictly speaking) it complies with the zonal requirements.

BUT all accessories must be suitable for the environment in which they are used.
That FCU is not IMO. It is very liable to ingress from water and condensation and i would expect it to be at least IPx5 in that situation.

Also the circuit should be protected by an RCD. To check, press the test button on any RCD that is in the consumer unit and see if the fan stops working.

BTW, how does the fan switch on, do you press the switch on the FCU with your wet hands while you stand in the bath?

 

[sterowley]

The fused spur doesn't have a switch on it. It comes on with the light.

Does have a RCD make any difference to to the zoning?

Ill check the fuse board and post a pick.

I'm 99% sure its below 2.5m just need to get in there with a tape measure.

 

[Taylortwocities]

No. The new (2008 regs) have a requirement for RCD on all circuits in a bathroom and dispenses with the old Zone 3 (above 2.25m).

The old regs (16th edition) did not require RCDs on bathroom circuits but did need equipotential bonding.

Exactly, what is the height of the FCU from the floor? The magic measurement is 2.25metres, not 2.5m.

 

[sterowley]

I would reckon it below 2.25m. I need to go back tmmry morning with a tape measure

 

[Taylortwocities]

Measurement is from the FLOOR. Not inside of bath (for some reason).

See here for details of the zones: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:speclcn:bathroom_zones

 

[sterowley]

I know its from the floor.

 

[sterowley]

Measured up and the roof is not 2.25m high. About 2.15m

 

[Taylortwocities]

OK so you must tell your landlord that the installation is not safe. I would not use it.

If you llok at the link I posted it will tell you that the fan and FCU are in ZONE 1.

They are not suitable for use there and there is a risk of electrical shock while you are in the shower.
Specifically. The FCUmust not be there, it would have to be IP55 water resistant and it isnt.

The fan must be a 12volt SELV fan, and it is not.

The circuits must be RCD [protected and I'll bet they are not.

So the landlord MUST sort this out. It is criminal (literally) what you have there.

The Landlord has a Common Law duty of care, the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 (and several other statutory regulations see below) requires that the electrical equipment is safe at the start of every tenancy and maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.

Electrical hazards are also covered by the Housing Health and safety Rating System under the Housing Act 2004.

In the case of commercial property and houses in multiple occupation there is a statutory duty under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 for the responsible person (the property manager) to carry out annual Fire Safety Risk Assessments, which include electrical safety risks.

If he lets property he must ensure that the electrical system and all appliances supplied are safe - failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence and may result in:

* A fine of £5,000 per item not complying
* Six month's imprisonment
* Possible manslaughter charges in the event of deaths
* You could sue him for civil damages
* Your property insurance may be invalidated

These regulations are enforced by the Health & Safety Executive.

Suggest you write to him formally requesting immediate action to sort ythis out, if he does not then he is in breach of the tenancy agreement and you should get advice from a solicitor.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[GaryMo]

OK so you must tell your landlord that the installation is not safe. I would not use it.

If you llok at the link I posted it will tell you that the fan and FCU are in ZONE 1.

They are not suitable for use there and there is a risk of electrical shock while you are in the shower.
Specifically. The FCUmust not be there, it would have to be IP55 water resistant and it isnt.

The fan must be a 12volt SELV fan, and it is not.

It's acceptable to install a 230v fan in zone 1 of a shower/bathroom. There's no requirement for a 12v SELV fan.
However, you're correct with regards to the FCU installed there.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It's acceptable to install a 230v fan in zone 1 of a shower/bathroom. There's no requirement for a 12v SELV fan.
However, you're correct with regards to the FCU installed there.

Yes, that is true, but I would contend that the mains fan is adjacent to a hand held shower spray. The fan then must be IPx5 because of water jets, and it is not.

If the fan is on the lighting circuit then the FCU is not required. A blank plate could be siliconed over and the circuit put on an RCD.
It does all need urgent attention IMO.

 

[GaryMo]

I'm not sure what the make and model of the fan is but it may by IPX5 rated. I know Xpelair do IPX5 rated 230v 100mm wall fans and other manufacturers could do the same.

The cable exiting the side of the fan looks iffy though and could possibly invalidate any IP rating it may have.

A FCU could still be required if the MI state that the fan must be protected by a 3A fuse.

 

[londonboy]

Is this in north london?

I know of a large estate which has this exact layout, in every property

 

[sterowley]

bump with new better pic.
Nah it an old 1930s student house in North Wales. It had a nice single story kitchen extension with a horrible little flat roofed bathroom extension added to that.

 

[Taylortwocities]

bump with new better pic.
Nah it an old 1930s student house in North Wales. It had a nice single story kitchen extension with a horrible little flat roofed bathroom extension added to that.

You should be an estate agent, you make it sound wonderful!