What are IP Zones in Bathroom Lighting?

IP Zone Guide

The following information is a guide to help you understand which fittings can be placed where. This is not an installation guide and reference should be made to the IEEWiring Regulations (18th Edition) or a qualified electrician. Firstly it is important to understand the rating by which bathroom lighting and some outdoor lights are classified. IP rating stands for “Ingress Protection” and is always followed by two characters. These two numbers refer to the level of protection, and it is important that you choose fittings with the correct rating according to where they are to be sited within the bathroom.

The diagram below shows a bathroom split into three clear zones: 0, 1 & 2.

Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage (max 12V) and be rated at least IP67 which is immersion proof.

Zone 1 is the area above the bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP44 is required.

Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required.

The lighting circuit within a bathroom should be protected with a 30ma residual current device (RCD).

In addition, it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap, to be considered as Zone 2.

In accordance with advice from the Lighting Industry Association the location above Zone 1 (over the bath or shower) upto a ceiling height of 3m continues to be classified as Zone 2.