Electrics in the bathroom

m0t · 4 Jan 2021

We are having a dormer extension built with the builders starting on site in the next couple of weeks.

One of the rooms in the dormer will be a new bathroom to replace the tiny one we have currently and my wife is trying to plan where everything can go.

We want an electric bidet toilet and I'm trying to understand where we can have this put so that it complies with all the regulations, the toilet can only go in a couple of spots if we are going to have a separate shower (a requirement from my wife).

The bidets are all IPX4 which I think means they can go in zone 2. There's no where I could put the toilet and not have a bit of it in zone 2 so it's a non-starter without that.

The tricky bit is the electric connection. In mainland Europe as well as Asia they seem to install these with a special type of socket on the wall behind the loo, which we can't do.

Can the cable be run to a flex plate under the toilet? Is there another way of connecting this up?

EFLImpudence · 4 Jan 2021

The toilet can go anywhere in zone 2 - but there must be no switches in zone 2 or sockets within 3m of the bath/shower, so as you say, a flex outlet would be alright in zone 2 or a switched outlet outside of zone 2.

bernardgreen · 4 Jan 2021

Be aware that there are regulations about the plumbing for all bidets

https://www.wras.co.uk/news/wras_news/categories/installer_news/dont_be_a_douche_about_hand_showers/

JohnD · 4 Jan 2021

bernardgreen said:
Be aware that there are regulations about the plumbing for all bidets

not "all bidets"

JohnW2 · 4 Jan 2021

JohnD said:
not "all bidets"

Why not? The one you illustrate may or may not be compliant with the relevant regs (presumably it is), but that doesn't alter the fact that there are regulations with which it is required to comply. Am I missing something?

Kind Regards, John

JohnD · 4 Jan 2021

It is a bidet. A bidet does not have to have an attached hose, and it does not. Neither does it have an upward jet.

In plumbing terms it is simply a basin with a mixer tap, that happens to be low to the floor.

Bernard's link is not about bidets. It is about ablutionary showers (arse hoses)

What regulation are you thinking of?

bernardgreen · 4 Jan 2021

m0t said:
We want an electric bidet toilet

and JohnD posted a picture of a non electric bidet.

JohnD · 4 Jan 2021

bernardgreen said:
all bidets

JohnD said:
not "all bidets"

JohnW2 · 4 Jan 2021

JohnD said:
It is a bidet. A bidet does not have to have an attached hose, and it does not. Neither does it have an upward jet.

... and some have 'around rim' water supplies (which the one you illustrated may well not have).

However, I don't think that alters what I said. There are regulations, with which all bidets (as well as other things) have to comply. The one you illustrate may well comply because it does not have an attached hose, an upward jet or an around-rim supply etc. - but that does not mean that the regulations about such things do not exist, does it?

One could turn this into a bit of a play on words. Rather than saying that there are applicable regulations and that the item in question is compliant with them because it does not have certain features/characteristics, one could say that the regulation is 'not applicable' to items that do not have those features - but the two statements mean essentially the same. Put another way, a person charged with determining whether a product 'complied with the applicable regulations' would have to inspect it to determine what regulations were applicable.

Kind Regards, John

bernardgreen · 4 Jan 2021

JohnD Have you ever installed a bidet ( of any sort ) and in connection with that had a discussion with the relevant Water Company to ensure you were not breaking the rules ?

SUNRAY · 4 Jan 2021

I've removed 2 bidets, both with basic mixer tap type fitting.
Both had non return valves and shut off valve on cold feed, much like the cold fill arrangement on closed system heating, which I assumed was a requirement when they were installed.

m0t · 4 Jan 2021

The electric ones have the wands that do extend downwards, although not all go in to the bowl.

The expensive ones are WRAS approved but a lot of the more reasonably priced ones need a valve attached because they are imported from elsewhere and aren't specifically for the UK.

SimonH2 · 4 Jan 2021

JohnD said:
It is a bidet. A bidet does not have to have an attached hose, and it does not. Neither does it have an upward jet.
In plumbing terms it is simply a basin with a mixer tap, that happens to be low to the floor.

And yes, the regulation apply to it.
But, it does comply without any check valves for the reasons you cite - primarily because the ooutlet is above the flood level and so it cannot back-syphon into the supply. Personally I'd fit check valves as well, but they aren't actually needed.

And simple basins also have rules which apply to them - but again they are met (in most cases) simply by having the tap outlets above the flood level.

See, there's a difference between "meets the regs automatically" and "regs don't apply"

BTW - as I read things, if something can be submerged in a WC, then it needs category 5 protection which cannot be achieved by check valves (of any quantity).

And I bet there's a lot of them installed without meeting regs

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Electrics in the bathroom

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