Consumer unit in a bathroom?

[Kaymo]

Hi,
I am considering converting a cupboard into a small bathroom, consisting of a shower, toilet and washbasin. One of the problems in this project is that this upstairs cupboard is where the consumer unit/incoming fuse is located.

My initial reaction was that this would need to be moved but the lack of suitable alternative locations within a reasonable distance from the current location made me take a 2nd look at it.

Looking at it logically the main objections are

Splash risk - the unit is high enough up and over a metre away from where the shower to negate any risk of water reaching the electrical components
Condenstation - The shower is going to be at the far end of the room and I would be fitting a high flow extractor above it so I would not expect this to be an issue. In addition I intend to fit electric underfloor heating which should also help to keep the room dry
Within reach of wet hands - due to the high ceilings and unit being near the celing a ladder is needed to reach the unit

I was thinking that if I boxed the unit in it would also help with any of the above as well as the cosmetic aspect.

I know that there will be some knee jerk reactions about this but is there anything in the regs that says this is not allowed or anything else I havent thought of?

 

[1550]

If it's the same set up as you posted recently you will need some major work to cover that lot up. !

 

[securespark]

At the end of the day, it does not really matter that the CU and stuff is outside the zones.

Regardless, equipment chosen needs to be suitable for its location. Could you hold your hand on your heart and be absolutely confident that all that equipment is?

Not to mention the DNO's equipment. They might object to their gear being in that enviornment and disconnect you.

 

[Kaymo]

1550 - Its been tidied up already, RCD CU added in place of the 3x old ones and new incoming cables from supplier - although I am still trying to dispute the earth cable that they removed in the process!

securespark - I would say that I could put my hand on heart and say that I believe this will be safe otherwise I would not consider it. Its not uncommon for consumer units to be present in a kitchen and in my experience there is as much moisture there. If I did go ahead with this I'd be checking it out periodically afterwards and if any doubt in my mind I would get it moved.

 

[ricicle]

NO

 

[Kaymo]

ricicle - NO - is that it, no reason?

 

[ricicle]

No matter how you try to get around it the unit is not suitable for the environment. The shower steam will find it's way into the unit no matter what you do and it will affect the mechanisms/circuitry of protective devices. Do you really want them to fail when you need them or to operate when they are not required to ?

 

[Alarm]

You must have a death wish!

 

[securespark]

Its not uncommon for consumer units to be present in a kitchen and in my experience there is as much moisture there.

I don't think there is the potential for quite as much steam, also bathrooms are generally smaller than kitchens. Thirdly, you are not (usually anyhow! ) naked and dripping wet in a kitchen.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Pause for vision of Nigella Lawson naked and dripping wet in the kitchen.










Do not pause for vision of Anthony Worral Thompson naked and dripping wet in the kitchen....

 

[Kaymo]

Alarm - thats just a stupid comment

 

[Kaymo]

I expected the response I have got so far, and I do understand the concerns but I havent seen anyone point me towards any regulations that say you cant do this. Given how comprehensive the regulations have become over 17 editions with people sitting in a room trying to imagine every possible scenario why is there nothing to say that you cant put a CU in a bathroom?

 

[bernardgreen]

One reason for NOT having your CU in a bathroom

The bath room is probably the only room with a lock on the inside.

Some one is in the bath room having a bath and the door is locked.

Something trips the RCD and the power and lights go out.

If there is daylight then the person in the bath can get out of the bath and open the door. Embarrassing but reasonably safe

If there is no daylight then the person in the bath has been plunged into sudden darkness and will have to get out of the bath to open the door in total darkness. They may also be a frightened and in a state of mild panic.

Two options

Have a lock that can be opened from outside.

Fit an emergency light ( comes on automatically when the power fails using batteries ) in the bathroom.

 

[JohnW2]

I expected the response I have got so far, and I do understand the concerns but I havent seen anyone point me towards any regulations that say you cant do this. Given how comprehensive the regulations have become over 17 editions with people sitting in a room trying to imagine every possible scenario why is there nothing to say that you cant put a CU in a bathroom?

Regulations cannot be exhaustive, so some situations have to rely on general requirements of the regulations, which are obviously open to interpretation on the basis of individual judgement. For example:

• 132.5.1 Equpment likely to be exposed to weather, corrosive atmospheres or other adverse conditions shall be so constructed or protected as may be necessary to prevent danger arising from such exposure.
  
  133.3 Electrical equipment shall be selected so as to withstand safely the stresses, the environmental conditions .... and the characteristics of its location.

Some people might regard the installation of an ordinary consumer unit in a bathroom as not complying with one or both of those. If you were talking about a consumer unit with a high IP rating (as might be installed in a garage etc.) they might be a bit happier.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[holmslaw]

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