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thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4249 Location: Bath

Hi Mate,

What do the regs say about fitting a washing machine in a bathroom, have a job in Bath with them specified.

scruff

AlanE · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:14 pm Post subject:

How big is bathroom and where is the machine to be fitted? Is it a new machine?

Will have a look in 'bible' and come back.

Alan

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4249 Location: Bath

Bathrooms are approx 2M sq, some have a shower instead of a bath, which is only 1.5 wide, and one has both shower and bath about 2.4 wide.

washing machine space is a 700mm sq block cupb built outside of the above square with the door into the bathroom if that makes sense.

I thought I read somewhere that electrical appliances was banned from bathrooms.

scruff

AlanE · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

Zone 1 is effectivly the size of bath or shower. Zone 2 is effectivly an area 0.6 Metres around bath or shower and zone 3 is an area up to 2.4 metres outside of zone 2.

Regulation 601-09-03 includes - "In Zone 3 current using equipment other than fixed current using equipment shall be protected by a residual current device with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA in accordance with regulation 412-06"

This would imply that a washing machine can be installed in zone 3. However 601-08-01 includes - " There shall be no provision for connecting portable equipment except for SELF socket outlets complying with regulation 411-02 or isolated shaver sockets.

It would seem therefor that the machine would need to be plugged in outside zone 3 or be wired into a switched fused spur.

BUT before the zone system was introduced several washing machine manufacturers refused to carryout warranty repairs on machines fitted in a bathroom.

I must add for the sake of anybody reading this that this is my interpretation of the regulations. I am NOT an authority on electrical regulations and all are recomended to obtain professional confirmation of the above from the IEEE. These comments are NOT intended to be a legal definition and as such not liability can be accepted.

Hope that helps

Alan

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4249 Location: Bath

Thank you Alan,

At the end of the day it will be decided by architecs and others following the regs to the letter.

I was unsure and reluctant to carcass the plumbing if it turned out to be a No!! No!!.

The electrics are under contract to a reputable Company and will be to the current standards.

If in doubt safety first at all times.

scruff