Extractor fan & towel rail - advice & legals

I want to fit an extractor fan and electric towel rail in the bathroom. Would appreciate some advice on the legal requirements.

Extractor fan

I'm planning to use the following in-line shower kit installed in the loft venting through the soffit, with an issolation switch outside the bathroom.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/manrose-in-line-shower-fan-kit-white/15061?_requestid=433758

The fasica will be fitted in the bathroom above the shower, and I plan to fit it myself without a 'competent person'. My question is whether I need building regs approval?

Towel rail

For the electric towel rail, I'm looking at the below (and similar) towel rails which are IP24 rated.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-...me-700-x-400mm-512btu/5707d?_requestid=412349

I am guessing that this is where I'm going to have more regulations problems. Does this need it's own circuit from the consumer unit, or can it be wired into mains through a fused switch outside the room, or similar? Can I do this myself if I apply for building regs approval?

Thanks for your advice.

 

No, but you have to be 'competent' enough to do the work safely, since Part P of the Building Reqs requires all electrical work to be undertaken safely.

The latter would be acceptable.

If you feel competent to do it youself, you can, and if you are connecting it to an existing circuit, you would not require Building Regs approval. [in passing, if you did require such approval (which you don't), it would almost certainly make no financial sense for you to do it yourself, in view of the magnitude of notification fees!]

Kind Regards, John

 

John, thank you for your quick reply - this is good news!
I do consider myself competent (I was referring to lack of certification under a competent person scheme) with electrics so will make sure these projects are undertaken safely.

I have a further question regarding the towel rail. There are two locations in our bathroom in which we could install it. One is out of zones while the other (which is the preferred location) is above the foot of the bath (opposite end to the taps and shower) which I believe would be zone 2. As the towel rail is rated IP24, can I assume it is safe to install it in this location?

Thanks again

 

Zone 0 is in the bathtub so no. Above the bath up to 2.25m is zone 1. Although it may be allowed in zone 1 (you'll need to confirm with the manufacturers instructions) it is notifiable works to your LABC wrt the building regs, so you can either pay them to come and oversee it or get someone who can self certify to do it.

 

Thanks Spark123 - sorry I was looking at a terrible zone diagram, I now see that I meant out of zone for the first option (will edit my previous post), and zone 1 for the preferred option.

If we go for the out of zone option, then it would not be necessary to notify / get someone who can self certify to do it?

 

As S123 says, if within the bathroom zones it's notifiable work, so it would be cheaper for you to get a registered electrician to do the work and deal with the notification paperwork etc.

Nobody has mentioned the RCD initials. The power feed for the towel rail will need to be RCD protected.
Where would the power for the rad come from, and is it RCD protected?

 

Thanks Taylortwocities
I was planning to run off the mains circuit through a timer similar to http://www.screwfix.com/p/greenbroo...ay-fused-digital-timer-spur-switch-230v/7643g
Would I need something like http://www.screwfix.com/p/13a-30ma-...tracking url&gclid=CIOd9YfjmdACFQIL0woda7QAbA also?

 

That's correct. I confess that when I initially replied I had assumed (always dangerous!) that the towel rail would be outside of the zones (i.e. outside of Zone 2, hence at least 600mm for the bath). But, yes, if you went for an 'outside of zones' location, then there would be no need for notification (or self-certification).

Kind Regards, John

 

You need an RCD on that towel rail. The RCD/FCU is one way of doing that. But not needed if the final circuit is already RCD-protected. Maybe there's already one in your consumer unit?

 

There are for all circuits in the consumer units so that would be ok

 

Cool, so one of those greenbrook jobbies
would be a reasonable way to control it.
Where would you plan to put that?

 

Thanks, unless there are any restrictions, will put outside the room, alongside the isolation switch for the fan

 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Please select a service and enter a location to continue...

Plumber / Gas Engineer Electrician Builder Decorator Builders' Merchant Plumbers' Merchant Tile Supplier Flooring Supplier
Start Search

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local