Bathroom zones for lighting: IP codes Bathroom lighting

A guide to Bathroom lighting and Zones

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Things to consider when planning lighting for a bathroom, a quick guide

Designing a lighting installation for the bathroom in your home is not just a straightforward process as in addition to planning the layout solution, there are also strict regulations which need to be adhered to, regarding the voltage and ingress protection of lighting being proposed as well as restriction in the location of individual fittings. It is important to select bathroom lighting which will, in addition to being compliant, provide an installation offering a well illuminated space with good visibility. Bathrooms tend to be limited in size, whilst in some cases also be devoid of natural daylight and the design should create an illusion of a larger space which can be achieved by planning the installation with different forms of lighting. Before starting the design process, consider the possible lighting locations as those positions may fall within different individual zones and could affect the type of lighting equipment required for compliance.

Zone 0

is the area inside the bath or in the shower tray itself. If lighting is required in that location, any fitting which is used must use a Low Voltage supply, which is to a maximum of 12Volts and any fitting must also be rated to at least IPX7, which means it is protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water.

Zone 1

is the area above the bath or shower tray up to a height of 2250mm from the bathroom floor. Any fitting installed in this zone must have a minimum ingress protection rating of IPX4, which means it is protected against splashing water from any direction. If there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, replace the lighting to an ingress protection rating of IPX5.

Zone 2

is the area extending to 600mm outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2250mm from the bathroom floor. Any fitting installed in this zone must have a minimum ingress protection rating of IPX4, which means it is protected against splashing water from any direction. It can be considered good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a radius of 600mm of any tap as Zone 2. If there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes, replace the lighting to an ingress protection rating of IPX5.

Outside the Zones

is anywhere within the bathroom outside of Zone 0, Zone 1 & Zone 2, subject to specific limits and where no water jet is likely to be used. Any fitting installed in this zone need not have any ingress protection, however if there is any likelihood of water jets ever being used for cleaning purposes, replace the lighting to an ingress protection rating of IPX5.

The Design

Start the design process by considering the ambient lighting within the bathroom, that which will provide the general uniform illumination to the space and is generally fulfilled with recessed fittings into the ceiling. Where the bathroom height is greater than 2250mm, there may no requirement to use IP rated fittings, as they may be situated outside of the zones, however it is always recommended to install IPX5 recessed downlights for the application as they will provide adequate ingress protection from water and steam as well as operate in a higher ambient temperatures. The lighting can be installed either in a grid pattern if the space is large enough to do so or, strategically placed within the bathroom for a smaller space.

Adding task lighting can significantly change the appearance from just a bland illuminated space to a that providing focus on specific areas within the bathroom, such as the sink area and the shower. This can be achieved with supplementary downlights over the sink area, by installing an over-mirror light or using LED Strip. For the shower, a single downlight, or possibly two downlights for a walk-in shower can provide the additional focus lighting required.

When considering both the ambient and task lighting within the bathroom, the topic of colour temperature is one which requires some discussion. A lower colour temperature of around 3000K provides a warm appearance and is ideally suited to creating the feeling of a soft calming atmosphere in the bathroom, whilst a higher colour temperature of 4000K and over provides a cool appearance with a higher blue component in the lighting and is ideal for creating a space where the precision completion of tasks is required, such as grooming or in the application of make-up. Having offered both options with equal benefit, the final decision is a subjective one for the homeowner, however offering a little more information on the topic to contemplate is that the en-suite bathroom tends to be used in the early morning and may benefit from a cooler appearance, whereas the main family bathroom tends to be for evening relaxation and would benefit from a warmer appearance, ideal for relaxation. This scenario may provide a ‘best of both worlds’ solution.

Finally consider accent lighting, which offers the opportunity to create the feature lighting and the aesthetic effect within the space. Installing recessing marker lights into the floor, strategically placed can offer a great solution, however in doing so, carefully consider their located positions so that the raised bezel does not cause a potential trip hazard to users. Adding LED Strip where the benefit of illumination can be seen without sight of the equipment offers an additional solution, however whatever lighting equipment is proposed, please be aware that LED Drivers must be suitably located, either outside of the bathroom entirely or alternatively within IPX5 enclosure and outside of all the Zones 0/1/2. Adding colour to the bathroom as a feature can provide some great effects and it is suggested that this lighting is controlled separately to that of the ambient warm or cool appearance lighting to allow the undertaking of precision task or the relaxing ambience designs to be maintained. One way this could be achieved is by selecting an RGB or RGBW LED Strip rather than just a white option, allowing the benefit of either a white or colour solution when required.

A point worth noting is that the bathroom is a space used very frequently, at least a few times a day, so planning the lighting installation well can offer the benefit of having a pleasing environment to be in. A final consideration is that bathrooms are considered as wet areas with both water and potentially steam present and this availability of water does not work well with electricity. As water conducts electricity, encountering electricity whilst wet, means there is a potential danger of an electric shock. The latest Wiring Regulations of BS7671 – 18th Edition provide guidelines on the safety of installing lighting in bathrooms, however in all cases, it is highly recommended that you consult a qualified and approved electrical contractor to assist with any lighting installation in making the space both correctly lit as well as safe to use.

Building Regulations: Part C and Part E Explained For Lighting

Lighting – Building Use Classes

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Bathroom Lighting Zones & Regulations

One of the areas of the house we get asked the most questions about is the bathroom or wet room. Around the vast majority of your home you’re free to add which ever light fittings take your fancy. However in the bathroom things become a little more complex as there are specific regulations that govern what type of lights can and can’t be used.

This guide will take you through the key points you need to be aware of when installing lighting in a bathroom. It is however not an ‘Installation Guide’ and before proceeding you should first refer to the current edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations and/or consult a qualified electrician.

When purchasing lights for a bathroom you need to ensure you select a fitting with the correct IP rating for the bathroom zone in which it is to be placed.

“Bathroom Zones?”

“IP Ratings?”

“What on earth are they?”

We’re glad you asked, read on and we’ll explain all!

Bathroom Lighting Zones Explained

For the purpose of lighting a bathroom is broken down into zones. Each zone is determined by how exposed it is to water and therefore how much protection from water a light fitting placed their requires.

When choosing lighting for a bathroom you first need to understand what zone its intended position will be classified as and then select the appropriate fitting based on its IP rating (which we cover further on).

The diagram below illustrates the bathroom lighting zones;

Zone 0 – This zone covers the areas inside the bath or shower tray. If you do decide to fit lights here they need to be a minimum of IP67 which means that they are safe to be fully immersed. They also need to be low voltage.

Zone 1 – Includes the area directly above the bath or shower tray to a height of 2.25m. Lights being fitted within this area must have an IP rating of IP44 or better which means they are protected against water spray and splashing from any direction.

Zone 2 – Covers the area 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath. This area also requires a light fitting to be IP44 of better. It’s also considered best practice to incorporate the sink into zone 2 and apply the same perimeter and light fitting requirements as you would the bath.

Zone 3 – Is everywhere else in the bathroom and covers the areas where lighting is highly unlikely to come into contact with water. There are no regulations regarding this area.

Now you are a master of the bathroom zones you now need to understand the IP rating system that governs which lights can be placed in each zone.

IP Explanation and Ratings

The IP ratings are designed to make it easier for people to understand how well protected a light fitting is. Whether they do or not is perhaps a little debateable, however with a bit of explanation they are relatively easy to follow.

An IP code consists of thee parts;

IP – All codes start with IP and this stands for Ingress Protection. This basically means how well protected the light fitting is.

Digit One – Refers to solid particle protection or how well the light fitting is protected against solid particles such as dust and dirt. The higher the number the better protected the light fitting is. See table 1 below for a complete breakdown.

Digit Two – Refers to liquid ingress protection or how well the lighting fitting is protected against water. Again the higher the number the more protection the light fitting provides. See table 2 below for a complete breakdown.

Summing Up

At first glance bathroom lighting zones and regulations can seem more than a little confusing. However if you spend some time understanding the zones and how they apply to your bathroom it’s just a case of choosing light fittings with an appropriate IP rating.

It is always advisable to use a properly trained expert to ensure that any bathroom light fittings are completed to the required standards.

If you need any further help or advice on this, or any other lighting topic, then our team are standing by to answer your questions. Please visit out contact us page for details of how you can get in touch.

How to ensure sufficient lighting in the bathroom? Basic lighting requirements, general and decorative lighting, selection of lamps and fixtures

Contents:

General bathroom light
Work area lighting in the bathroom
Decorative bathroom lighting
Selection of bathroom lamps and fixtures
Additional tips for choosing luminaires

Properly organizing the light in the bathroom is not an easy task. This process always includes a number of stages, including any preparation and planning. The organization of lighting should begin with the development of an installation scheme and an approximate lighting plan. Already from this stage, you should focus on:

the size of the bathroom;
general style;
location of functional areas;
the presence of additional objects, such as shelves or a window sill;
Possibility of supplying a source of electricity.

All these factors are closely related. For example, without wiring and a power source, it will not be possible to connect lighting devices. On the contrary, even with the possibility of connection, the lamp may simply not fit into the style of the room.

Basic requirements for bathroom lighting

No matter how difficult the task, making your bathroom brighter can be done without any hassle, if you follow the basic rules. Three-level lighting is considered ideal for bathrooms, consisting of the following elements:

general light, including all kinds of ceiling lights. For such lighting, suspensions, chandeliers, small lamps, built-in or overhead spots or LED equipment are used;
illumination of the work area, created using sconces, LED strips, small spotlights and other similar fixtures;
decorative lighting designed to highlight the decorative elements of the interior and give the bathroom sophistication and grandeur.

As a rule, luminaires of different zones are connected to different switches, or separate keys. This approach is needed to delimit zones, consume less electricity and not overload the interior of the room with extra light.

Light fixtures are not placed directly in front of reflective surfaces to avoid eye irritating glare and reflections. In turn, LED strips are most often hidden under interior elements, which makes their use more rational, and the view of the room more voluminous and aesthetic.

General bathroom light

General light is the main light in any bathroom. Since in most cases there is no window or similar light sources in such a room, a well-placed overhead light will play a big role in organizing comfort. When organizing the main lighting, it is worth starting from your personal habits, as well as family members. The more functionality of the room is planned, the more light needs to be added.

There are several types of luminaires for organizing general lighting:

Chandeliers and pendants. This is the most common type of lighting equipment for spacious bathrooms with high ceilings. They are devices consisting of a metal frame and a flat or volumetric ceiling made of frosted glass, plastic. They are easy to install and in most cases harmoniously fit into the interior.

Spot lights. These uniquely designed luminaires have the main purpose of providing direct, directional lighting to a compact area of the room. Together, the spots can organize original and modern lighting. They can be rotated in different directions, which allows you to adjust the level of light.

Integrated spotlights. These fixtures are the most popular of all the options for small bathrooms. They blend harmoniously with all types of ceilings, and also help to illuminate the room with minimal energy consumption. It is important to consider the height and type of ceiling when choosing a lamp, because they also come in two types: overhead and built-in.

LED lighting around the ceiling. This solution will provide moderately bright and functional bathroom lighting, as well as significantly save energy. However, such light is not suitable for all purposes, so first of all you should focus on the intended functionality of the bathroom.

The choice of luminaires for the main lighting of the bathroom should be based on the concept of your interior. For example, lighting for a modern-style room requires more minimalism, functionality and lack of excessive elegance, while for a classic interior, volumetric and aesthetic lamps will be needed.

Illumination of the work area in the bathroom

The work area, or functional area, is the place where we directly put ourselves in order and carry out our daily “procedures”. In other words, the working area is a washbasin and a mirror. In this area, the lighting should be as bright as possible and slightly diffused.

Particular attention should be paid to the lighting of the mirror, since more light is needed for applying make-up and other procedures. According to the rules, this area is illuminated symmetrically, the reflection should be without shadows and highlights, natural and clear. In this case, the backlight should be placed around the perimeter of the mirror and on the sides of it.

The following types of luminaires are perfect for illuminating the work area:

wall luminaires, also called sconces. They can be wall mounted above or next to a mirror. Their main advantage is that they give an optimal and diffused light output, providing the perfect illumination of the face when caring for skin, styling hair, etc.

swivel spotlights. They are installed directly in the working area and are very functional in practice. Despite the fact that they will not fit into every interior, such lamps will be a wonderful and practical design element in modern bathrooms.

led strip. A very practical lighting element that will help organize excellent lighting of the work area and highlight individual elements of its design. Tapes do not require special conditions of use, and are quite durable and effective.

built-in lighting. Recently, this solution has become incredibly popular, and for good reason. Mirrors and mirror cabinets have won the hearts of people with their ease of use and high functionality. In this design, everything is thought out in advance, you only need to install, connect to a power source and enjoy uniform illumination of the work area. Sometimes you can find heated mirrors that stop the formation of condensate on the mirror surface.

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Decorative bathroom lighting

Accent lighting is used to add an aesthetic factor and create atmosphere in the bathroom. This kind of lighting can be used to highlight decorative elements, enhance the visual space of a room, or simply to create a mood.

Any kind of light fixtures can be used to organize decorative lighting, be it sconces, rotary spotlights, etc. However, the main type of lamps in this direction is the LED strip.

With the help of LED strip you can place accents in the interior, highlight individual elements, or create the effect of “floating” walls or a bathtub. In some cases, an interesting solution would be to illuminate the shower head or faucet. So you can focus on small details and emphasize their elegance.

Selection of lamps and fixtures for the bathroom

When deciding which lamp to purchase for your bathroom, do not forget about the safety of its operation. A bathroom is a room where there is always moisture, so when choosing a device, you should pay attention to its security class.

The degree of protection according to the IP standard, or according to the classification Ingress Protection Code (literally means “ingress protection code”) is an international system for classifying the levels of protection against moisture and dust ingress to the internal components of the device.

This code is usually indicated on the packaging of the lamp and shows how the device is protected from external influences. The first digit of the code indicates the resistance of the luminaire to dust particles of different diameters. The larger the number, the less foreign elements can get inside. The maximum value of 6 is a fully dust-tight device.

The second digit is the protection of the luminaire from water. The higher the value of this indicator, the more reliable the protection against the ingress of moisture particles into the device. The maximum indicator of moisture protection implies the possibility of long-term immersion to a depth of more than 1 meter.

In addition to the IP indicator, you may notice additional symbols on the packaging. For example, a letter after this number indicates touch protection. This is relevant only for open fixtures, where the lamps are not covered by a ceiling. The letters A and B allow touch with the back of the hand or finger, while the rest of the meanings imply the use of a tool.

Choose a luminaire based on safety when using it. For example, if you plan to install it directly in the shower area, then it is better to use a device with IP68 protection. Such a lamp will serve for a long time in conditions of humidity and will ensure safe use for life and health.

Visually, you can divide the bathroom into several zones, based on the level of humidity, and select the right lamp based on this. Let’s give you an example of such a division:

maximum humidity zone, which includes the bathroom or shower space. There it is best to use a high class – from IP67 and above for walls, and for the ceiling, a standard from IP45 is suitable. Luminaires in this zone are optimally selected with a voltage of no more than 12V for general safety in case of unforeseen situations.

high humidity area. It is located in the working area of your bathroom, namely in the area of \u200b\u200bthe sink and mirror. IP44 or higher is suitable for this location.

moderate and low humidity areas. This is the remaining space of the bathroom, namely the space above the toilet, household appliances and so on. In such cases, devices of any security are acceptable, but we advise you to start with IP24 and higher.

Additional tips for choosing luminaires

Good bathroom lighting planning is no easy task. The organization of light requires compliance with special rules and advice. In order to create the atmosphere you want in the bathroom, you should also pay attention to the following features:

Color temperature. When choosing lamps, their color temperature must be taken into account. In most cases, the bathroom requires a cooler color temperature, as this color of the lamp is better suited to enhance the perception of human sensors and increase energy levels. On the contrary, if you want to spend time in comfort, you should choose lamps with a warm color temperature, closer to a yellow tint.

Illumination. This indicator is often indicated in state building codes and regulations. According to SNiP “On artificial and natural lighting”, the norm for a bathroom is 50 Lx. One lux equals one lumen per square meter. Usually, the lumen value is indicated directly on the light bulb. The indicator of illumination will help to build the optimal level of light for solving everyday problems.

Power supplies. It is important to remember that the presence of open wiring and similar unprotected sources of electricity is unacceptable in the bathroom. The wires must be well insulated with all precautions. According to the rules, they are laid perpendicular to the walls, ceiling and floor in order to notice the damaged area in time when it breaks. For each wiring, a one-piece cable without twists is given, while it must be securely hidden in the corrugation. The protection class of electrical equipment is at least IP44.

Thus, correctly arranging the light in the bathroom is not an easy task, but anyone can solve it. By applying all of the above rules, you will be able to ensure sufficient lighting in your bathroom. B Stock

SKU:

M/CON/WAB_08FD/PSATCCBN/GL

The bathroom is not just a place for everyday household tasks, but a source of inspiration, rejuvenation and peace of mind. In such conditions, it is extremely important that a person receive aesthetic pleasure not only from the flow of water, but also from the objects surrounding him. And an important element that can add touches of elegance and grandeur to your bathroom is a good shower system.

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June 27, 2023

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Bathroom lighting, photos of projects, lamps in the interior

Bathroom lighting, photos of unusual and interesting projects of which we have selected, plays an important role in the interior. We will tell you what to be guided by when choosing a lamp and what to look for, as well as consider placement options in the overall design of the room.

Contents:

Bathroom lighting features
Bathroom luminaire types
General bathroom lighting
Bathroom spot lighting
DIY bathroom lighting

Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Should bathroom lighting be bright or subdued, aggressive or soft, directional or diffused? The answer to these and other questions can be obtained by reading the information in this article.

Bathroom lighting features

The lack of natural light and the peculiarities of using the bathroom place special demands on the lighting of this room:

It should have a natural spectrum close to daylight.
It is desirable that each functional area of the bathroom has its own local lighting.
Given the high humidity and frequent changes in room temperature, light sources must be as safe as possible for operation in such conditions.

General bathroom lighting photo

To make the lighting in the bathroom not very bright, but rational enough, several lamps are used, installed in different places. As required, they can be used both separately and in any combination of inclusion.

Bathroom luminaire types

Conventional sconces, floor lamps, chandeliers and similar fixtures used in dry living spaces are not well suited for installation in a bathroom. Most of them use an incandescent lamp as a light source, which is far from ideal in a humid atmosphere with sudden temperature changes.

In addition, such a lamp is short-lived, and it has to be changed quite often. If the room has high ceilings, frequent replacement of lamps becomes a serious test for homeowners.

Disadvantages of incandescent lamps:

high operating voltage;
high heating temperature;
fragile glass bulb.

Modern bathroom lighting is based on low-voltage gas discharge (neon, housekeeper) or LED light sources. In both cases, not yellow is provided, but a more familiar to the eye, natural spectrum of lighting.

small bathroom lighting idea

Discharge and LED lamps heat up much less than incandescent lamps during operation. Yes, they have a much longer lifespan. Considering also the reduced supply voltage, it becomes clear which type of lighting for the bathroom is the most preferable.

Modern bathroom LED lighting

Modern housing projects include LED lighting in the bathroom powered by a step-down transformer. It provides galvanic isolation from mains voltage and guarantees absolute protection against electric shock under all conditions.

General bathroom lighting

Ceiling lights provide a general lighting background sufficient for everyday operations: washing hands, taking a bath, using a washing machine, and the like. Such lamps are selected for the interior, as, in fact, they are one of its elements.

Stylish bathroom lighting idea

Any type of luminaire, even a chandelier, is suitable for high ceilings.
And for low ones, a flatter design should be chosen so that it does not reduce visual space.

Bathroom lighting, photo with chandelier

If the room’s extractor can’t remove the steam or the bathroom has a sauna, look for closed or hermetically sealed fixtures to protect against moisture.

Lighting in the bathroom, photo of a flat lamp

A very good option may be to illuminate the room from built-in spotlights. The “glowing” ceiling eliminates all the shadows in the room, so it is easier to carry out cosmetic procedures. The room seems wider and more voluminous.

Lighting spotlights in the bathroom

True, only high ceilings are suitable for mounting a suspended structure. For low, this option is implemented in the form of modern flat LED lighting panels of various capacities.

Local lighting in the bathroom

To ensure complete comfort in the room – each functional area must be provided with its own local lighting. Such zones can be:

washbasin and mirror above it;
bathroom;
shower cabin.

In a more spacious room, there may be other local areas that require their own lighting: a wardrobe or cabinet, a large full-length mirror.

Local lighting in the bathroom photo

Special wall-mounted directional or diffused light sources are used as local light sources.

bathroom mirror lighting idea

In the frame of the mirror or along its contour, LED lighting can be equipped, allowing you to see yourself in great detail.