No bathroom RCD

[yellowvanman]

Some numpty has put in a ceiling fan with a pull cord above a bath - ceiling is getting very damp and apparently water keeps dripping out, I guess due to condensation in the duct.

Customer (tenant) wants me to put in an in-line fan, and as it doesn't have a fan isolator switch, add an appropriate switch.

Old Wylex board, TNCS.

My thinking is what I've been asked to do doesn't infringe current regs. Fan is outside the bathroom, my only query is if I put in a pull isolator switch for the fan, is that required to be RCD protected? If so, can put a switch outside the bathroom just below the ceiling above the door. In which case no concealed wiring and not in a special location.

Thoughts? I would prefer to put in a pull switch! Have also suggested the tenant tells the landlord that CU upgrading would be a good idea.

 

[sparksburnout]

Reg 132.15.202; Every fixed electric motor shall be provided with an efficient means of switching off, readily accessible, easily operated and so placed as to prevent danger.

Thats for a bloody great lathe or a conveyor, not a piddling bathroom fan.

 

[Andy78]

Think it's the fact that the fan uses an electric motor to operate?

Lol, really ? It was the "local" part of my phrase I was meant to emphasise. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Midwest]

Thats for a bloody great lathe or a conveyor, not a piddling bathroom fan.

Appears you've forgotten the very first reg in BS7671?

If not properly isolated, a piddling bathroom fan is still a potential hazard.

 

[joehat]

 

[joehat]

 

[joehat]

As per pics, this is good enough for me. Window no isolator, no window isolator

 

[joehat]

Don't get me wrong, i always install them but if the install will be a pain in the backside, if it's got a window I can choose to exclude one

 

[davesparks]

What book is that? It doesn't look like an approved document as per your earlier statement.
It looks more like an IET picture book guide

 

[Midwest]

As per pics, this is good enough for me. Window no isolator, no window isolator

I refer back to post 33 & 39, although it appears those regs don't apply to domestic installs.

 

[HandySparks]

What book is that? It doesn't look like an approved document as per your earlier statement.
It looks more like an IET picture book guide

Indeed. It's not even the On-Site Guide, let alone BS7671. Interestingly, the On-Site Guide doesn't make any such statement.


Nevertheless, I usually fit a 3 pole isolator for bathroom fans, simply to allow the householder to easily switch it off in the event of it becoming noisy (while waiting for it to be repaired or replaced) or for any other reason that takes their fancy. (Like Midwest's midnight pee!)

 

[joehat]

It's electricians guide to the building regs , so it must be in the building regs somewhere, also refers to on the front covering approved document p electrical safety and bs7671 WIREING regs which is all IET aswell

 

[davesparks]

It's electricians guide to the building regs , so it must be in the building regs somewhere, also refers to on the front covering approved document p electrical safety and bs7671 WIREING regs which is all IET aswell

That does t make it part of an approved document or the regs, just the opinion of the author.

 

[davesparks]

Thats for a bloody great lathe or a conveyor, not a piddling bathroom fan.

At what point do you make the distinction? Can you quantify 'bloody great'?
Can you give a specific power rating at which an isolator is required?

An inline fan contains a motor, and it will at some point require Maintainence so it needs a means of isolation.
It is my opinion that a plug/socket connection is the most sensible soloution to this.

 

[hightower]

And there is the scenario of isolating the fan at night, so one can go for a silent pee. Not sure that's in the regs though!

We have isolators above doors. Not sure how that eliminates me kicking the bed corner and walking in to the door frame. Isolator or not, there's nothing quiet about a midnight pee when I'm involved. [emoji3]

 

[hightower]

It's electricians guide to the building regs , so it must be in the building regs somewhere, also refers to on the front covering approved document p electrical safety and bs7671 WIREING regs which is all IET aswell

Just searched through building regs. Can't see anything in there to that effect.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Read the page posted, it's all should and it is usual.
Not must be and it is required.

 

[davesparks]

Read the page posted, it's all should and it is usual.
Not must be and it is required.

But it's written in a book published d by the IET therefore it must be taken as gospel and holy scripture and followed at all times by everyone capable of blindly following along like sheep and incapable of independent thought.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

But it's written in a book published d by the IET therefore it must be taken as gospel and holy scripture and followed at all times by everyone capable of blindly following along like sheep and incapable of independent thought.

Not so, because we remind people that publications such as the GNs, OSG, articles in Wiring Matters, etc. are just author's opinions, not Regulations.

 

[hightower]

Not so, because we remind people that publications such as the GNs, OSG, articles in Wiring Matters, etc. are just author's opinions, not Regulations.

My oh my, sarcasm is dead

 

[davesparks]

Not so, because we remind people that publications such as the GNs, OSG, articles in Wiring Matters, etc. are just author's opinions, not Regulations.

And there was me thinking I loaded enough obvious **** taking into that post!