Bathroom Light Question

[TheFew]

So I have shower over the bath in a room that is 3.5m tall. Between the shower head and the ceiling you are looking at a gap of around 1.5m.

There is a light fitting over the shower (surface mounted) and i am looking to replace it.

Question is.. would ip44 be ok or does it need to be ip65?

Also where would people recommend buying lights from? Having had a quick look on Google most options look a bit bland...

Thanks

 

[iamtheoneneo]

Yes ip44 will be fine as your outside any building reg zones with those measurements.

Amazon normally a good shout for lighting or if you want to splash the cash John Lewis.

 

[Semple]

There's a good couple of diagrams/drawings which tell you the IP rating based on location: https://www.tp24.com/bathroom-regulations/

Although what i've never understood, zone 2 which stipulates IP44 rated lights only goes to a height of 2.25m, above that you're no longer in a zone. Most houses built in the last 30-35 years will have a ceiling height of 2.4-2.5 meters. Does that mean they don't require any lighting that meets certain IP standards?

 

[200sols]

There's a good couple of diagrams/drawings which tell you the IP rating based on location: https://www.tp24.com/bathroom-regulations/

Although what i've never understood, zone 2 which stipulates IP44 rated lights only goes to a height of 2.25m, above that you're no longer in a zone. Most houses built in the last 30-35 years will have a ceiling height of 2.4-2.5 meters. Does that mean they don't require any lighting that meets certain IP standards?

No IP rating needed outside the zones but generally most people above a shower would use an IP65 spotlight.

 

[Abyss]

It's outside the bathroom electrical zones so either will comply, but personally if there's any risk whatsoever that the shower head can reach the height of the ceiling (i.e is turned to point upwards) I wouldn't be putting in anything less than IP65.

 

[TheFew]

Thanks for the advice. I would prefer to go IP65 but I am struggling to find any attractive ceiling mounted lights that are IP65...

I'm not in the market for recessed units.

 

[200sols]

Thanks for the advice. I would prefer to go IP65 but I am struggling to find any attractive ceiling mounted lights that are IP65...

I'm not in the market for recessed units.

Its 1.5m above the shower, go with any light you like the look of. No need for ip65 in this situation.

 

[TheFew]

Interesting it is much easier to find decent results using search engines other than Google!

Having remeasured shower head to ceiling is around 1.2m.

 

[Adam_151]

Although what i've never understood, zone 2 which stipulates IP44 rated lights only goes to a height of 2.25m, above that you're no longer in a zone. Most houses built in the last 30-35 years will have a ceiling height of 2.4-2.5 meters. Does that mean they don't require any lighting that meets certain IP standards?

I beleive the intention was to permit a batten lamp holder, but not necessarily a pendant in the typical bathroom as that was what would be fitted in the majority of properties. Bear in mind that there is a general requirement that the fitting be suitable for the conditions there, so while a batten holder is likely to be suitable, a fancy pendant spot bar likely won't be as it'll rust in the humidity present, etc. Also if fitting recessed lights, then consider part C of building regs, you don't want moisure laden air building able to pass into the roof void and condense on cold timbers and course rot or mould

 

[Semple]

I beleive the intention was to permit a batten lamp holder, but not necessarily a pendant in the typical bathroom as that was what would be fitted in the majority of properties. Bear in mind that there is a general requirement that the fitting be suitable for the conditions there, so while a batten holder is likely to be suitable, a fancy pendant spot bar likely won't be as it'll rust in the humidity present, etc. Also if fitting recessed lights, then consider part C of building regs, you don't want moisure laden air building able to pass into the roof void and condense on cold timbers and course rot or mould

That makes sense. I noticed in our bathroom that has GU10 recessed lights, that they have a cover over them, which i presume as you say to stop any moisture passing through.

 

[TheFew]

I beleive the intention was to permit a batten lamp holder, but not necessarily a pendant in the typical bathroom as that was what would be fitted in the majority of properties. Bear in mind that there is a general requirement that the fitting be suitable for the conditions there, so while a batten holder is likely to be suitable, a fancy pendant spot bar likely won't be as it'll rust in the humidity present, etc. Also if fitting recessed lights, then consider part C of building regs, you don't want moisure laden air building able to pass into the roof void and condense on cold timbers and course rot or mould

Agree with that. One of our showers has a recessed light about 30 cms above the shower head... the loft above smells of mildew as the steam goes straight up. A job to sort when I get to that bathroom!

 

[Abyss]

Appreciate you said you're looking for surface mounted but personally I'd install a single recessed spot light over a shower.