Bathroom Light Switch

[adrian.groves]

Hi,

We are planning on refurbishing our bathroom and one of the firms we spoke to suggested we could have light switches on the wall inside the bathroom which does not sound right.

Does anybody know if there is a safe way to do this using remote control or Low voltage circuits. (or some other way)

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

The usual way is with a piece of string.

Normal switches are allowed but probably not suitable.

Anything specifically made for bathrooms (steamy air) would do.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The usual way is with a piece of string.

Normal switches are allowed but probably not suitable.

Anything specifically made for bathrooms (steamy air) would do.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You can say that again.

 

[winston1]

Hi,

We are planning on refurbishing our bathroom and one of the firms we spoke to suggested we could have light switches on the wall inside the bathroom which does not sound right.

Does anybody know if there is a safe way to do this using remote control or Low voltage circuits. (or some other way)

Thanks

Provided they are 3 metres away from the bath. How big is your bathroom?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Provided they are 3 metres away from the bath. How big is your bathroom?

That's sockets.

 

[flameport]

one of the firms we spoke to suggested we could have light switches on the wall inside the bathroom which does not sound right

Wall mounted light switches are permitted, and mostly always have been.
Several decades ago, requirements were that a switch was inaccessible to someone using the bath or shower.
Subsequently, various distances were specified.
Today, switches are permitted provided they are more than 60cm from the edge of the bath or shower.

Unfortunately many properties had manky pull cord types fitted as standard, even though there was no requirement for such things, and this became generally accepted as the only option allowed, even though that is untrue.

 

[securespark]

This is my cue.......

In the 14th A.61 said, of switches in bathrooms:

Where Reg D.17 requires a switch to be situated so as to be normally inaccessible to a person who is using a bath or shower, it is admissible for the switch to be placed in a suitable position outside and immediately adjacent to the normal access door of the room, or to be of the type operated by an insulating cord.

D.17 said:

Every switch or other means of control or adjustment shall be so situated as to be normally inaccessible to a person using a fixed bath or shower.

Exclusions:

Shaver supply units installed to reg D.19

Insulating cords of cord operated switches


In the 15th 471-39 said, of switches in bathrooms:

Every switch or other means of control or adjustment shall be so situated as to be normally inaccessible to a person using a fixed bath or shower. (Does that sound familiar?)

Exclusions:

Shaver supply units installed to reg 471-37

Insulating cords of cord operated switches

Controls incorporated into instantaneous water heaters to BS3456

Switches of SELV circuits complying with reg 471-39(a)


So, basically, the 15th suggests if you had a bathroom where the switch was inaccessible from the bath, you could use a plate.

The 14th does not mention this, but offers the option of a pull-cord.

This is where the idea that you must use a pull-cord comes from (unless you put a plate outside).

That and the latter-day trend for fitting pull-cords in all bathrooms/ toilets/ cloaks because it is "safer".

 

[PBC_1966]

So, basically, the 15th suggests if you had a bathroom where the switch was inaccessible from the bath, you could use a plate.

The 14th does not mention this {.....}

Neither does it say that it's not permitted; the 13th edition contained similar rules which prohibited a regular wall switch being located within reach of somebody using the bath or shower, but did not prohibit one from being mounted out of such reach.

But still today the idea of "light switches in bathrooms must be pull cords" seems to persist in many people's minds.

By the way, it was the 13th edition (1955) which introduced the prohibition on the fitting of regular sockets in bathrooms.

 

[EFLImpudence]

it was the 13th edition (1955) which introduced the prohibition on the fitting of regular sockets in bathrooms.

Was that a complete prohibition or was there a distance requirement?

What is the present position in the US?



I think the 3m. rule here now is just to prevent appliances - with 2m. flex - reaching the bath (obviously Brits are thought dafter than Europeans); not specifically banning sockets as such.

 

[sparkwright]

Though it may be permissible to have a wall mounted light switch in the bathroom, I would still recommend a pull switch or a wall switch outside the room.

Somehow it anything else just looks and seems wrong.

What would you prefer, out of interest?

 

[PBC_1966]

it was the 13th edition (1955) which introduced the prohibition on the fitting of regular sockets in bathrooms.

Was that a complete prohibition or was there a distance requirement?

Complete.

What is the present position in the US?

I'm not sure if anything might have changed in the 2011 or 2014 editions, but at least up to the 2008 edition of the NEC I can't find anything more stringent than receptacles not being allowed inside (!) or directly above a bathtub or shower cubicle.

However the NEC has specified that all receptacles in bathrooms must be provided with GFCI (5mA) protection since 1975.

 

[stillp]

it was the 13th edition (1955) which introduced the prohibition on the fitting of regular sockets in bathrooms.

Was that a complete prohibition or was there a distance requirement?

Complete.

A lot of hotels in the US seem to ignore that. I've often seen a hairdryer provided and a socket-outlet above the washbasin to plug it in to.

 

[PBC_1966]

A lot of hotels in the US seem to ignore that. I've often seen a hairdryer provided and a socket-outlet above the washbasin to plug it in to.

The complete prohibition referred to is for the British IEE Wiring Regs. 13th edition.

 

[JohnW2]

However the NEC has specified that all receptacles in bathrooms must be provided with GFCI (5mA) protection since 1975.

Is there a perception/believe that a 5mA device will give appreciably more protection than a 30mA one? I suspect that they don't disconnect much, if at all, more rapidly than do 30mA ones, and, particularly in the context of potentially wet skin, L-E shock currents are likely to be well in excess of 30mA (even at US voltages).

Kind Regards, John