Is my existing shower fan dangerous??

[Stu1H]

Ok, I bought my current property a year ago and have a small wet room that has an axial fan installed within the shower area approx. 1.8m up on the wall.

At the weekend I removed the cover to check the model/type etc. and it's a Manrose XF100. This only has an IP44 rating and is 230V.

I know under current regs this wouldn't (shouldn't?) be allowed.

So to my questions ...

Firstly, am I safe to continue using this? It's been installed for at least 8 years or so and assume the previous owners had no problem, although I know that doesn't mean I will be so lucky in the future!!

Second, At the moment I can't afford to get a spark in to change this to an SELV unit therefore assume it's ok for me to swap this out for an IPX5 rated fan (planning on getting an XPelair DX100) as I'm not changing the installation? I assume installing a transformer for an SELV fan is considered to be changing the istallation and therefore subject to Part P regs??

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Ventilation equipment can be installed in zone 1 and the required IP rating is at least IPX4, so IP44 is suitable and meets requirements, providing there is no other external influences, such as a shower directly above it!

 

[Stu1H]

Thanks for your reply but ....

According to website extractorfanworld.co.uk/choosing-a-bathroom-fan-58-c.asp

It is essential that you install the correct bathroom extractor fan in the correct zone. Bathroom extractor fans come in two voltages; Mains voltage (240v) and SELV or Safety Extra Low Voltage (12v) . Mains voltage bathroom extractor fans may only be used in Zone 3 of the bathroom. In Zones 1 and 2 SELV bathroom fans (12 volt) ONLY must be used, with the transformer being housed in Zone 3. The only exception to this rule is the Airflow QuietAir: A mains voltage bathroom extractor fan that has been specifically designed with an IP45 rating to be used in all 3 zones.

My current fan is 230V so surely the fan should be IPX5 rated??

Cheers.

 

[JohnW2]

"It is essential that you install the correct bathroom extractor fan in the correct zone. Bathroom extractor fans come in two voltages; Mains voltage (240v) and SELV or Safety Extra Low Voltage (12v) . Mains voltage bathroom extractor fans may only be used in Zone 3 of the bathroom. In Zones 1 and 2 SELV bathroom fans (12 volt) ONLY must be used, with the transformer being housed in Zone 3. The only exception to this rule is the Airflow QuietAir: A mains voltage bathroom extractor fan that has been specifically designed with an IP45 rating to be used in all 3 zones."

Zone 3 disappeared with the appearance of the 17th edition of the Wiring Regulations in 2008, so that gives you a measure of how up-to-date that information is! In terms of current regulations, what you have been told is correct - IP44 is OK for ventilation equipment in Zone 1, provided that the manufacturer states that it is suitable for installation in Zone 1 - what do the instructions of your fan say?

Kind Regards, John

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

According to website extractorfanworld.co.uk/choosing-a-bathroom-fan-58-c.asp

It is essential that you install the correct bathroom extractor fan in the correct zone. Bathroom extractor fans come in two voltages; Mains voltage (240v) and SELV or Safety Extra Low Voltage (12v) . Mains voltage bathroom extractor fans may only be used in Zone 3 of the bathroom. In Zones 1 and 2 SELV bathroom fans (12 volt) ONLY must be used, with the transformer being housed in Zone 3. The only exception to this rule is the Airflow QuietAir: A mains voltage bathroom extractor fan that has been specifically designed with an IP45 rating to be used in all 3 zones.

They don't know what they are talking about, even if you take a trip down memory lane when the much loved and dearly departed zone 3 was with us, the information given is incorrect.
The XF100 series, can be fixed in zone 1 but there are provisions, must be fitted 1.8M from floor and can not be reached when using shower and/or bath.

 

[Stu1H]

It's 1.8m fm the floor but right next to the shower. I'm going to replace it with an XPelair DX100 or XX100 which say they're ok in zone 1 (IPX5 rated) and a reasonable price.

I can then get a spark to swap it over for an SELV later when I can spare the cash.

Thanks gents, much appreciated.