proximity of bathroom fan isolator and fcu

[specks]

I am currently helping a friend rewire a house. He is having a new bathroom put in and so I looking to install his lights and fan. I am happy to install the equipment but he has asked that the 3 pole isolator and the 3amp fcu for the circuits/fan are installed under the stairs next to the bathroom door. They will be accessible but not visible. Is this acceptable or should it be close to the door (my preference).

 

[rmdes]

As long as they are easily accessible and labelled I couldn't see a problem with it

 

[SYKRAPS]

A bit of overkill fitting a fcu and 3 pole iso?

 

[FAA Greenie]

A bit of overkill fitting a fcu and 3 pole iso?

How would you install them?

 

[kingeri]

Fan manufacturers instructions normally specify a DP 3a FCU which is difficult to install without fusing down the whole of the bathroom lights, so encompassing switched and permanent lines. A 3 pole fan isolator is therefore not really needed. As long as it is labelled and accessible, put it wherever is practical!

 

[shagbite]

SKELTON!!!!!...........you're up. :wink_smile:

 

[D Skelton]

I'm here to save the day! lol

Just fuse down the feed for the bathroom light, your fan will then have a readily accessible means of switching off, no need for 3 pole isolator.

Saying that, if your fan has no timer overrun or it has an integral on/off switch, you don't need either (as long as the manufacturer doesn't require either)


Edit: I don't suppose the under stairs cupboard you mention houses the consumer unit also? If so, as long as you're on a TN system, I'd say that your MCB for the lighting circuit is a readily accessible means of switching off, therefore no need for anything no matter what type of fan you have (subject to manufacturers instructions of course).

 

[FAA Greenie]

The problem then is, when the fan fails and gets switched off because its noisy as hell, you lose the lighting too. I always put an isolator in to avoid this, plus you may end up changing a fan unit in the dark.... if it's late..... and you have forgotten your head torch....

 

[D Skelton]

The problem then is, when the fan fails and gets switched off because its noisy as hell, you lose the lighting too. I always put an isolator in to avoid this, plus you may end up changing a fan unit in the dark.... if it's late..... and you have forgotten your head torch....

The whole point of the ventilation requirements of Part F is to not offer a customer a means of just switching off a fan if it gets a bit noisy, hence why we fit SFCUs and 3pole isolators up high. They're there for maintenance only, not functional switching, the customer aint supposed to be able to switch it off lol. As for forgetting your head torch, surely as a spark, if that were ever to happen that would be about time you considered retiring

 

[Robert Turnbull]

Who wants to lay in the bath listening to a fan? Also when you have a pee in the night then get back in bed you have ???mins of fan running...

I always switch the fan seperate to the lights.
Gives you major brownie points with customers

 

[FAA Greenie]

The whole point of the ventilation requirements of Part F is to not offer a customer a means of just switching off a fan if it gets a bit noisy. Hence why we fit SFCUs and 3pole isolators up high. They're there for maintenance only, not functional switching. The customer aint supposed to be able to switch it off lol

i Agree, what I was alluding to more was the fan failing, they can make some pretty insane noises when they are jammed and not playing the game.... They get switched off.

 

[D Skelton]

Of course guys, I'm just being difficult

I'm talking about requirements only, practicality is an entirely different ball game!

Who wants to lay in the bath listening to a fan?

Get your customer to spend a little more on a silent one

 

[rmdes]

I'm here to save the day! lol

Just fuse down the feed for the bathroom light, your fan will then have a readily accessible means of switching off, no need for 3 pole isolator.

Saying that, if your fan has no timer overrun or it has an integral on/off switch, you don't need either (as long as the manufacturer doesn't require either)


Edit: I don't suppose the under stairs cupboard you mention houses the consumer unit also? If so, as long as you're on a TN system, I'd say that your MCB for the lighting circuit is a readily accessible means of switching off, therefore no need for anything no matter what type of fan you have (subject to manufacturers instructions of course).

I think you'll find the regs book would disagree there, an mcb isn't acceptable as an isolator switch, it's an over current protection device. A fan along with most appliances must have means if isolation for emergency/ maintenance needs.

 

[shagbite]

Who wants to lay in the bath listening to a fan? Also when you have a pee in the night then get back in bed you have ???mins of fan running...

I always switch the fan seperate to the lights.
Gives you major brownie points with customers

what sort of bloke lays in the bath? i'm straight in, straight out. i bet your letter to santa's full of bubble bath and candles!

 

[D Skelton]

I think you'll find the regs book would disagree there, an mcb isn't acceptable as an isolator switch, it's an over current protection device. A fan along with most appliances must have means if isolation for emergency/ maintenance needs.

I think you'll find in the regs that a fan does have a means of isolation by use of the main switch. An MCB is an acceptible means of switching off, which is all the fan requires, so long as it is readily accessible.