Bathrooms are ‘special locations’ in the wiring regulations because water and electricity are a dangerous mix. To keep things safe, the room is divided into zones that control what can go where.
The bathroom zones
- Zone 0 — inside the bath or shower tray. Only very low-voltage, fully waterproof (IPX7) fittings are allowed.
- Zone 1 — above the bath or shower, up to 2.25m. Fittings must be at least IPX4 rated, and often low voltage.
- Zone 2 — 0.6m around Zone 1 and around a basin. Fittings must be at least IPX4.
- Outside the zones — normal fittings are allowed, but a shaver socket is the only socket type permitted in most bathrooms.
RCD protection is a must
All circuits serving a bathroom must have RCD protection. If your board has no RCD, that needs sorting — see our consumer unit page.
It’s notifiable work
Electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable under Part P and should be carried out and certified by a registered electrician — see our guide to Part P.
Common bathroom jobs
Extractor fans, IP-rated downlights, heated mirrors, electric showers and shaver sockets are all everyday jobs for us — installed to zone and certified. See our sockets & lighting service.
Common questions
No — the only socket permitted in most bathrooms is a shaver socket, and it must be positioned away from the bath or shower. Standard sockets aren’t allowed.
Yes — light fittings in the bath/shower zones must have a suitable IP (water resistance) rating, and often be low voltage, depending on the zone.
Yes — bathrooms are special locations, so electrical work there is notifiable under Part P and should be carried out and certified by a registered electrician.
Planning bathroom electrics?
Extractor fans, showers, lighting and shaver sockets — installed to zone and certified.
Call 020 7473 7807