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Bathrooms and rooms containing a bath or shower are classed as special locations because of water, steam, and condensation. For that reason, there are clear rules on what electrical equipment can be installed and where.
If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade or checking existing electrics, this blog explains what can go where in simple terms.
What Are Bathroom Zones?
Bathroom zones are safety areas that control how close electrical equipment can be to water. The closer you are to a bath or shower, the stricter the rules.
These zones apply to bathrooms, shower rooms, and wet rooms and are often highlighted during electrical inspections in Brighton & Hove.
Zone 0 – Inside the Bath or Shower
Where:
- Inside the bath or shower itself.
What can go here:
● In most homes, nothing.
● Only specialist low-voltage equipment designed for full water immersion is permitted, which is very rarely used in domestic properties.
Zone 1 – Above the Bath or Shower
Where:
- The area directly above the bath or shower, up to 2.25 metres from floor level.
What can go here:
● Shower units
● Low-voltage extractor fans or fans with an IP rating of IP65
● Light fittings with an IP rating higher than IP65
Anything installed in Zone 1 must be designed to cope with water and moisture.
Zone 2 – Around the Bath or Shower
Where:
- Up to 60cm around the bath, shower, or basin.
What can go here:
● Bathroom-rated lights with an IP44 rating
● Shaver sockets
● Extractor fans with an IP44 rating
Standard plug sockets are not allowed in this zone. Outside the Zones – Still Needs to Be Safe
Even outside Zones 0, 1, and 2, bathroom electrics must still:
● Be RCD protected
● Be installed correctly
● Meet current safety standards
In older Brighton & Hove properties, bathroom electrics often pre-date modern regulations and may not meet today’s requirements.
Common Bathroom Electrical Problems We See
During EICRs and fault-finding, we regularly come across:
● Incorrect light fittings too close to showers
● No RCD protection
● DIY electrical work
● Poor or missing bonding
These issues are common reasons for bathroom electrics to fail inspections.
Can You Have Sockets in a Bathroom?
Standard plug sockets are usually not permitted in bathrooms as they must be at least 2.5 metres away from a bath or shower. Which limits most people as their bathroom is smaller than this
The only exception is a shaver socket, which must be correctly positioned and installed by a qualified electrician.
Bathroom Electrical Work in Brighton & Hove
If you’re renovating a bathroom or unsure whether your existing electrics are safe, it’s best to get them checked before problems arise.
Oval Electrical carries out bathroom electrical work across Brighton & Hove, including:
● Lighting
● Extractor fans
● Inspections
● Upgrades
👉 Contact Oval Electrical to book a bathroom electrical check or request a fixed-price quote.