Bathroom Lighting Zones

When combined together, water and electricity can really be dangerous. So, when choosing your bathroom lights, it is important to acquaint yourself with the following terms; IP ratings & Bathroom Zones. You should ensure that the lighting fixture you select has the right IP rating for the specific Zone in which it’s going to be installed.

Wondering what these Bathroom Zones and IP Ratings are? Don’t worry! Let’s get down and try to understand them.

Understanding IP Ratings

Light fittings come with an IP (ingress protection) rating that indicates their aptness for a particular environment (indoors or outdoors).  The IP is usually followed by a two-digit number which pinpoints its protection level against intrusion by certain objects like dust ( digit 1) and waterproofing level (digit 2).

What are Bathroom Zones?

When choosing your lighting, always remember to establish the specific area of your bathroom where it will be fitted and its exposure to water. The bathroom area has been broken down into clear zones by the electrical safety regulations to assist you to choose the right fitting that corresponds to the specified IP rating for the amount of protection needed.

Bathroom Zone 0: The Ideal Type of Light

Zone 0 includes the areas around the bath and shower tray. If you’re planning to brighten up this area, ensure that the fittings bear low voltage levels and must have a rating of IP67 or more. This will help make them immersion proof. You can dot nice bathroom lights across the floor. But, ensure you get waterproof ones. Such lights can create a dramatic effect, especially under-water & under-foot.

Lights for Bathroom Zone 1

Zone 1 is the area that’s right above the bath/ shower tray (i.e. 2.25m from the ground). According to experts, this area requires a light with at least IP44 rating. An IP44 rating protects the fittings against water spray. If your light consumes a 240V supply, use a 30ma RCD (an abbreviation for residual current device) to protect this zone’s circuit.

To create a contemporary vibe, use classic wall lights in this zone. You can either position these lights horizontally or vertically.

Lights for Bathroom Zone 2

The area 0.6M outside your bath’s perimeter and 2.25M above the floor is referred to as Zone 2. Just like for Zone 1, the minimum required rating for this area is IP644.

Position your lighting fixture on the outer walls for a sophisticated bathroom look or install them on both sides of the mirror.  An IP44 rated razor light is multi-functional and an incredible fitting for your bathroom.

Outside Zones

Outside zones are those areas which don’t fall within Zones 0, 1, and 2. They’re always far from any water source/contact. No IP ratings are needed for light fixtures in this region.

Recessed downlights can cast an even spread of light through your bathroom and can easily be integrated with other light fittings for an attractive layering effect. It’s always advisable to hire an electrician to help install the bathroom lighting for you.