Bathroom extractor fan and notification

[James South]

I've had a fan installed in the shower room and the advised it was all ok and no need to contact the council. All bathrooms now need one so it's a standard thing (so I was told).

An electrician came over and asked if we had a Part P for the fan. News to me as per the above...

Having looked in to it, the fan is in a special place, being our bathroom (which only has shower). It's on the cusp of being 60cm from the shower tray and electrics are in the loft, it's linked to the light for it's electric.

Should it have a cert?

What is the worst-case scenario if they will not issue one?

 

[JohnD]

Are you in England?

How high is it above floor level in the bathroom?

Is it higher than the shower head?

"Having a certificate" yes it should

But "being notifiable" not necessarily.

"On the cusp" doesn't apply. Do you mean it is within 600mm horizontally of the footprint of the shower tray? Or more than 600mm?

There are no Buildings Regulations Police who will enter your house to search for non-conformance.

 

[JohnW2]

I've had a fan installed in the shower room and the advised it was all ok and no need to contact the council.

As has been implied, that could well be true. If the ceiling is more than 2.25 metres above finished floor level and/or the fan is more than 600mm horizontally from the shower tray, it's installation would not require notification to the local authority. However, it would be required to be RCD protected - is that the case?

All bathrooms now need one so it's a standard thing (so I was told).

That is not true.

An electrician came over and asked if we had a Part P for the fan. News to me as per the above...

Quite apart from what I've said above, if someone asked me if I "had a Part P for the fan", I would wonder what sort of electrician he was! As any proper electrician should know, "Part P" is just one sentence in the Building Regulations, which basically says that electric work in domestic premises must be done safely.

Kind Regards, John

 

[James South]

Thanks @JohnD and @JohnW2

Yes, we are in England.

I’ve measured it this morning and it’s within 60cm of the shower tray but over 225cm off the ground. It is higher than the showerhead. Does this mean as it isn’t within Zone 2 it does not need to be notified? The ceiling height is 235 so minus a few cm for the fan it’s still above 225cm.

The electrician only mentioned it as he said he usually notifies them of all work within a special area. However, he said it may not have been necessary. I know no one will come and check but I don’t like things that are not right.

The electrician is coming out to do a full installation inspection as we’ve only moved into the house and the last one was five/eight years or so ago. But I guess he will inspect the electrics of the fan installation and confirm if it’s safe. If he does and it doesn’t need to be notified to the LA I guess we are fine. The plumbers did put a vent on the outside of the house too but they advised it didn’t need notified or permission.

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

I’ve measured it this morning and it’s within 60cm of the shower tray but over 225cm off the ground. It is higher than the showerhead. Does this mean as it isn’t within Zone 2 it does not need to be notified? The ceiling height is 235 so minus a few cm for the fan it’s still above 225cm.

Correct.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks @JohnD and @JohnW2... Yes, we are in England. ... I’ve measured it this morning and it’s within 60cm of the shower tray but over 225cm off the ground. It is higher than the showerhead. Does this mean as it isn’t within Zone 2 it does not need to be notified?

Indeed. In England, outside of Zone 2 (which >2.25m above ffl is) is not notifiable.

The electrician only mentioned it as he said he usually notifies them of all work within a special area. However, he said it may not have been necessary.

Fair enough.

As I said, given that it is 'new', the fan does require RCD protection - is the circuit RCD-protected in your CU?

Kind Regards, John

 

[James South]

Yes, the CU was installed within the last few years and it does have RDC. Thanks for everyone's help. Put my mind at rest.

 

[James South]

Following on from this, my electrician and I (it was the plumber that installed it not the electrician, I know now it was wrong) were in the loft and we moved the flexi ducting and heard water come out through the fan. I've since gone back up and ensured the hose is on a gradual incline all the way up to the outlet in a bid to stop this happening again. It was only a little that had gathered in two weeks, but over time it could be much more. Is it best to have the ducting on a gradual incline or should I get my electrician to fit fixed ducting? I guess the best option is to go straight up higher than the outlet and then down but in the meantime is having it on a gradual incline better than nothing?