Bathroom Fan Heater Location

[AndyNewBuild]

Hi,

I am fitting out a small ensuite bathroom (1.35 x 2.4m) and want to fit a fan heater as there is no other heating source for the room. I have been looking at the Dimplex range of heaters, namely the FX20VE. However from what I've read here and the zones within bathrooms, this heater cannot be fitted within the bathroom as it is only IP22 rated. According to information I have read, anything in Zone 2 must be IPX4 or better.

Is this correct and can this heater be fitted in this bathroom?

(NB: The shower cubicle is 710x710mm against one corner with a small wash basin beside and a WC on another wall))

 

[Chri5]

No

 

[AndyNewBuild]

No the info isn't correct or no this can't be fitted in this bathroom?

A little more info would be good....

On reading again the new zone information, if the heater is 0.6m away from the shower cubicle & basin then it is outside Zone 2. It should then be suitable?

 

[BS3036]

The manufacturer says it can be mounted in zone 3 if above 600cm. This doesn't make much sense at all. TLC say it must be mounted above 1.8m which sounds more logical. I can't see anything in the regs to stop it being used outside the zones, provided it's high up so you don't drip on it.

There are of course other considerations in a bathroom. Are you working under building control or is your handle here not significant?

IANAE

 

[AndyNewBuild]

Thanks for the reply. The work will be carried out by a Part P qualified electrician. I'm just trying to work out what I can and can't have in this bathroom so I can decide on locations for the basin and WC which I'm fitting myself. The final locations will also determine light location and switching.

I came to the same conclusion about mounting outside the zones and intended having the heater mounted high up. I was just confused about zone definition as a lot of sites still refer to Zone 3 which doesn't now exist under the new regs.

So basically if the heater is mounted high up outside Zone 2 (i.e. 0.6m or more from the shower and basin) then it should be allowed with an IP22 rating. I was also wanting to have the heater on it's own circuit connected directly back to an RCD at the CU. In this case, is a separate isolator required for the heater or will the MCB switch in the CU suffice?