This guide is designed to help you in selecting
safe lighting for your bathroom, shower or sauna.
In fact any area inside the home that may
potentially come into contact with water.
To find out more, please study the Lighting Zone Diagram below.
The diagram below shows a bathroom split into four zones: O, 1, 2 and 3.
- For the purpose of safe
lighting, the bathroom or shower area is divided into ZONES.
- The zones are numbered
according to the distance away from a source of water.
- IP rating stands for
‘Ingress Protection’ and is always followed by two numbers.
- These two numbers refer to
level of protection and it is important that you choose fittings with the
correct rating according to where they are to be sited within the bathroom.
Lighting Zones Explained
Zone 0 -
(IP68 submersible to 9 metres)
The ultimate in watertight fittings.
Suitable for saunas, steam rooms or to be mounted underwater (down to 9 metres)
Fittings used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least
IP67 which is totally immersion proof.
Zone 1 -
(IP65 Jet proof)
In this zone a minimum rating of IP44 is required.
If the fitting is 240v a 30ma residual current device (RCD) must also be
used to protect the circuit in this zone.
Should be fitted where the fitting may be subjected to a jet of water, for
example from a shower handset.
Zone 2 -
(IP44 Splash proof)
In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required.
In addition it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin,
within a 60cm radius of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
Should be fitted wherever the fitting may be splashed. Anywhere within 0.6
metres (60cm) of a basin or similar water source.
Zone 3 -
NO IP RATING
For all other areas where jets or splashes of
water will not occur (subject to specific limits)
No IP Rating is required.
