Pendants/Batten holders in bathrooms

[dook]

Another topic that has probably arisen in many previous posts but I need some clarification on.

We never install pendants/batten holders in bathrooms but when going into properties that have got them, what are the rules.

Asked a colleague and he said "...as long as it is out of reach" but in the BRB it says you cannot use 'placing out of reach' as protection against electric shock in a bathroom. The only other thing i can find is that you should only use IPX4 rated equipment in zones 1 & 2. Does this mean you can put pendants in bathrooms outside these zones?

I'm still learning and I'm not qualified to test yet so what would you guys put on a PIR if you had a pendant in a bathroom.

Cheers in advance.

 

[telectrix]

pendants in bathrooms is a deffo.no. no. code 1 on a pir in my mind. enclosed fitting anywhere, except- IP 44 zone 2. IP65 zone 1

 

[dook]

pendants in bathrooms is a deffo.no. no. code 1 on a pir in my mind. enclosed fitting anywhere, except- IP 44 zone 2. IP65 zone 1

Is this your personal preference? Obviously its better be overly safe but reg 701.512.2 says you only need IPX4 for zones 1 and 2 or am I reading it wrong?

 

[IQ Electrical]

There is no requirement for specific IP rating of equipment outside of the zones but obviously a bit of common sense should be applied.

Placing out of reach is a totally different concept to what your friend is referring to.

So as long as the pendant is outside of the zones and not subjected to splashing or jets, there is no need to apply any code on a PIR-what regulation would you quote if asked?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

There is no requirement for specific IP rating of equipment outside of the zones but obviously a bit of common sense should be applied.

Placing out of reach is a totally different concept to what your friend is referring to.

So as long as the pendant is outside of the zones and not subjected to splashing or jets, there is no need to apply any code on a PIR-what regulation would you quote if asked?

Correct.

 

[telectrix]

i was referring to zones 1 and 2 when i said ip rated. on a similar vein. can somebody settle an argument? is a FCU, fitted in
outside zone notifiable?

 

[IQ Electrical]

i was referring to zones 1 and 2 when i said ip rated. on a similar vein. can somebody settle an argument? is a FCU, fitted in
outside zone notifiable?

As far as I remember, Document P does not refer to the zones, only the special locations so I'm 99% sure it would be notifiable work.

 

[dook]

So are we saying that a pendant outside of any zones is not a code 1 and is in fact OK (common sense allowing!)

 

[IQ Electrical]

So are we saying that a pendant outside of any zones is not a code 1 and is in fact OK (common sense allowing!)

Exactly

 

[Sintra]

I would always use a TRS lampholder on a pendant in a bath or shower room to stop any condensation seeping down the flex and into the holder.

 

[roukel01]

pendants in bathrooms is a deffo.no. no. code 1 on a pir in my mind. enclosed fitting anywhere, except- IP 44 zone 2. IP65 zone 1

A little harsh!! However i do prefer enclosed fittings anywhere in bathrooms myself.

 

[telectrix]

A little harsh!! However i do prefer enclosed fittings anywhere in bathrooms myself.

agreed. i always was under the impressin that one of the reasons we did'nt fit pendants in bathrooms was because of condensation running down the flex, apart from being reachable with wet feet. ( and this was long before zones were introduced)

 

[dook]

I would always use a TRS lampholder on a pendant in a bath or shower room to stop any condensation seeping down the flex and into the holder.

Sorry to be a numpty but what is TRS lampholder?

 

[Sintra]

It's one of these.

 

[Wiredspark]

apart from being reachable with wet feet.

Wow, thats some long legs

 

[nickblake]

worst one ive ever seen is a pendant in a shower cubicle ,im a short #### and it almost touched my head , i do prefer enclosed fitting like dome lights in bathrooms , but obviously out side the zones no problem with pendants

 

[pushrod]

It's one of these.

never come across those -does that have like a stuffing gland in it to stop condensation running down into the lamp holder?

What code would people give a pendant light in a bathroom not hanging into zones? Codes just seem to be such a matter of whim, one person's code 2 is another person's code 4

 

[vini]

I have been asked to fit two lights directly above a bath to accomodate glass lamp shades which are approx. 300mm and if pendant is added 200mm. The ceiling from the finished floor is 2400mm. So standing in the bath I would guess is 100mm above the floor making the bottom of the fitting 1800mm. (5' 10")

So fitting would be in Zone 1. Are there any pendant light fittings that would satisfy the regs? According to what I am reading it is possible to put a light fitting in Zone 1 provided the manufacturers has stipulated that it is IP44 or above. I know it may seem a bit bizarre but building site festoon lighting IP65 would surely work or am I grasping at straws.

By the I have found no fittings online that would do the job.

 

[IQ Electrical]

The building site festoon will be fine but mount the big yellow 110v transformer outside of the special location

 

[Steve_P]

It's one of those words you just have to say silly isn't it? Festoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.

 

[Knobhead]

The building site festoon will be fine but mount the big yellow 110v transformer outside of the special location

Hide it?

Make a feature of it. Be the envy of all you're friends. Who else will have one in the bog?

 

[rattlehead85]

There are times when a standard batten holder will intrude zone 2 of a bathroom. As a batten holder normally isn't IP 44 rated it can therefore warrant a C3 departure or C2 if reachable by somebody using a tub or shower.

 

[vini]

I know I said building site festoon and fair enough to take the p###, but I simply meant a fitting designed for outdoors.

There is no way to use an ordinary batten holder. Anyone taller than 5' 6" could reach the fitting standing in the bath. Sometimes you get requests and no matter how potty it may sound I still feel as though I have to see if it is possible and remains within the regs. Where there is a will and all that.

I may have to conceal an IP65 fitting in her glass shade.