Bathroom Down-lights CODE C2?

[Alan G]

I wonder if you can help I've just had a EICR on a property and I've received a C2 due to the fact the down-lights aren't IP rated. Having sat the BS 7671 some years ago the BS tells me that the zone 2 height is 2.25m. The ceiling in question is 2.3m. Appreciating it's advisable and I'll swap them out but is it the Regs considering it's outside the zone? Have things changed? Thank you in anticipation. Alan

 

[loz2754]

Regardless of zoning, all items of electrical equipment need to be suitable for whatever environmental conditions they are located in.
I would say personally that lights directly above a bath will be exposed to high levels of moisture from steam, likewise with a shower they could be exposed to the water spray bouncing off the top off my bald head. Therefore I would fit IP65 or higher.
Elsewhere in the bathroom may not be as exposed to moisture and a lower IP rating might be acceptable.
Which highlights one of the issues regarding EICRs in general - the person conducting the EICR and putting his name and reputation to it is the ones who makes this kind of judgement. And one electrician will differ from another, and another.........

 

[Alan G]

Regardless of zoning, all items of electrical equipment need to be suitable for whatever environmental conditions they are located in.
I would say personally that lights directly above a bath will be exposed to high levels of moisture from steam, likewise with a shower they could be exposed to the water spray bouncing off the top off my bald head. Therefore I would fit IP65 or higher.
Elsewhere in the bathroom may not be as exposed to moisture and a lower IP rating might be acceptable.
Which highlights one of the issues regarding EICRs in general - the person conducting the EICR and putting his name and reputation to it is the ones who makes this kind of judgement. And one electrician will differ from another, and another.........

Loz, appreciate the reply. So I believe your saying it's not necessary regulatory it's a judgement from those who carried out the EICR which I entirely agree with and will swap them out. I would have thought if it's obviously not regulatory it would have been a C3 as in a recommendation but I guess that's where the judgement comes in of the approved contractor. Thank you.

 

[Spoon]

Welcome to the forum mate.

Depending on where the light is fitted will depend on what IP rating it has to have. This is in the regs.
Below is a screen shot of the zones.


Hope this helps.

 

[loz2754]

Whether it's a C2 or C3 is down to the judgement of the person doing the inspection. If there is obvious deterioration of the downlights, or signs of water ingress, that may well be a C2, even if outside of any zones.

 

[Alan G]

Welcome to the forum mate.

Depending on where the light is fitted will depend on what IP rating it has to have. This is in the regs.
Below is a screen shot of the zones.
View attachment 95315

Hope this helps.

Thanks Spoon looks the same as 2008 standard so nothings changed.

 

[Alan G]

Whether it's a C2 or C3 is down to the judgement of the person doing the inspection. If there is obvious deterioration of the downlights, or signs of water ingress, that may well be a C2, even if outside of any zones.

I didn't appreciate it was that much down to judgement.

There is no deterioration or signs of water damage but I'll take the hit as there is potential for them to be dangerous especially if you have a bald head ; )

Thank you for your help, good to know you can get help when needed.

Best regards Alan

 

[Spoon]

Thanks Spoon looks the same as 2008 standard so nothings changed.

Nope, nothing has changed with regards to zones.
So what IP rating is your light and what zone is it in?

 

[brianmoooore]

The C2 should quote the number of the reg that has been violated. If it's the one referring to zones, then the classification is incorrect; if it's the suitable for environment one, then maybe C2.

 

[littlespark]

C3, improvement strongly recommended.

It’s outside the zones, by all of 5cm, and degradation through insufficient IP rating could be years… depending on ventilation, how often it’s steamy etc

Is it dangerous? No
Is it potentially dangerous? Not for some time, possibly by the next EICR. By which time, any recommended improvements would have been actioned.