The lesser of two evils

[studentspark]

Bathroom, in flat

Needs to be suitable for letting.

Has an unswitched FCU powering a fan heater

2m from floor 50 cm from edge of bath.

To move it 10 cm would need it to be on an RCD

3036 fuseboard

Glass Shower screen in bath so not possible to touch when in bath

what would you do?

 

[flameport]

For the bathroom, why do anything at all?
An unswitched FCU in zone 2 is not prohibited by BS7671.

 

[sparkticus]

I agree. I would have no concerns.


How likely is it that a "bathing person" will decide at the same time to investigate the fuse rating?

 

[studentspark]

zone 2 from wiki

Equipment to be IPX4 minimum, IPX5 if water jets are used for cleaning. Fixed permanently connected equipment allowed, the general requirements of the regulations apply to this part of the room, all items within the location must be suitable for where they are installed.
Only switchgear or accessories fed from a SELV source fitted, the source being outside the zones. A shaver socket with isolating transformer (BS EN 61558-2-5) may be fitted as long as it can't be affected by a direct spray.


FCU not IPX4?

 

[JohnW2]

zone 2 from wiki... Equipment to be IPX4 minimum, IPX5 if water jets are used for cleaning. Fixed permanently connected equipment allowed, the general requirements of the regulations apply to this part of the room, all items within the location must be suitable for where they are installed.
Only switchgear or accessories fed from a SELV source fitted, the source being outside the zones. A shaver socket with isolating transformer (BS EN 61558-2-5) may be fitted as long as it can't be affected by a direct spray.

From 701.512.3 of BS7671:

In zone 2: switchgear, accessories incorporating switches or socket outlets sahlal not be installed with the expection of:
(i) switches and sockets of SELV circuits, the safety source being installed outside of zones 0,1 and 2, and
(ii)shaver supply units complying with BS EN-61558-2-5.

My interpretation would therefore be that, whilst a switched FCU would defintely be prohibited in zone 2, an unswitched one would not, per se, be prohibited.

However, as you've said, IP rating could well be the issue. 701.512.2 requires that any equipment in zone 2 has a rating of IPX4, or IPX5 if exposed to water jets (e.g. for cleaning) - and I very much doubt that a 'standard'white FCU would have an IPX4 rating. However, IPX4 (or better) unswitched FCUs are certainly available and,as above, I think one of those would be allowed in zone 2.

Kind Regards, John.