Bathroom Lighting Zones & Regulations Explained

Great care needs to be taken when choosing lighting for your bathroom, as there are strict regulations regarding the type of lights you can use.

It is also highly important to choose bathroom lighting that will provide you with good visibility, as well helping to brighten your bathroom. The use of bathroom mirrors both of the illuminated and non-illuminated varieties, are a great way of creating the illusion of space and light within a small area.

Bathroom Zones

When thinking about lighting for your bathroom it is important to think about the below Bathroom Zones, to ensure the lighting you want can be installed in your desired location.

Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 which is total immersion proof.

Zone 1 is the area above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP45 is required but it is generally accepted that IP65 is to be used. It's also worth noting that most shower lights are rated at IP65 in any case.

Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. 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.

Outside Zones is anywhere outside zones 0,1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. There are no special IP requirements in this zone, however we suggest that you consider a light with an IP rating of at least IP20+.

In addition to the above, if there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purpose then a fitting rated with a minimum of IP65 must be used. Full details can be found in the latest copy of the IEE wiring regulations.