Socket in a bathroom closet?

HappyHippyDad · Jun 22, 2015

Morning..

I have been asked to put a socket in a bathroom closet which has a door on it. Is there anything in the regs with regards this? The only similar situations that I can find show the wall seperating the area from the bath, but in my case there is a door as well, so the closet is completely enclosed.

From the diagram it's clear that it will not be 3m from the edge of the bath, but could it be seen as a seperate area/room?

A FCU will not be an option as I believe it is to charge a toothbrush. The shaver socket has no shelf so not an option, plus the customer wants the socket anyway.

Thanks all.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Socket in a bathroom closet?

calpol91 · Jun 22, 2015

Looks ok to me?! Just looked in the on site guide, obviously doesn't mention your case specifically but seems ok?! Maybe wait for more answers though before you go ahead....

telectrix · Jun 22, 2015

OK on my watch.

DPG · Jun 22, 2015

If you're not happy with a 13A socket, you could always fit another shaver socket in the closet - most electric toothbrushes have a shave style plug (the ones I've seen anyway). Daz

Guest77 · Jun 22, 2015

Believe it or not some shaver sockets cannot handle a toothbrush when it charges and the brushes will damage the unit, some units are made for toothbrushes and combined for shavers lol, seriously, look here K701 WHI | MK Plastic Power Socket, BS 4573, Flush Mount | MK

Guest77 · Jun 22, 2015

DPG said:
If you're not happy with a 13A socket, you could always fit another shaver socket in the closet - most electric toothbrushes have a shave style plug (the ones I've seen anyway). Daz

Agree with you on this, I would fit a shaver type unit rather than a socket, I have shown one in a link above this post, good advice there bud.

telectrix · Jun 22, 2015

MDJ said:
Agree with you on this, I would fit a shaver type unit rather than a socket, I have shown one in a link above this post, good advice there bud.

he's buggered when he wants to plug in the washing machine, though.

leonard · Jun 22, 2015

Or use a hairdryer, which can fall into a bath full of water and fry someone.:90:

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2015

Be just the right distance away for a bath edge mounted heater to take the chill off too.

HappyHippyDad · Jun 22, 2015

leonard said:
Or use a hairdryer, which can fall into a bath full of water and fry someone.:90:

Andy78 said:
Be just the right distance away for a bath edge mounted heater to take the chill off too.

Those are the sort of things that worry me!! Still if it meets the regs it must be safe :angel_smile:

I didn't consider the idea of just offering a shaver unit hidden away in there, so I'll do that, thanks DPG. I have a feeling it'll be a 'no', but I may question them a little further about what they want it for as well.

Guest77 · Jun 22, 2015

telectrix said:
he's buggered when he wants to plug in the washing machine, though.

LOL, Well yes, if the socket is for one of those then your right hehe.

colshaws · Jun 22, 2015

imo its no different to a socket in the hall outside a bathroom door.

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2015

colshaws said:
imo its no different to a socket in the hall outside a bathroom door.

It's very different in terms of responsibility and culpability for the installer though.

derbylad · Jun 22, 2015

happyhippydad said:
Morning..

I have been asked to put a socket in a bathroom closet which has a door on it. Is there anything in the regs with regards this? The only similar situations that I can find show the wall seperating the area from the bath, but in my case there is a door as well, so the closet is completely enclosed.
even if the regs allow it i personal
From the diagram it's clear that it will not be 3m from the edge of the bath, but could it be seen as a seperate area/room?

A FCU will not be an option as I believe it is to charge a toothbrush. The shaver socket has no shelf so not an option, plus the customer wants the socket anyway.

Thanks all.

View attachment 29461

there is no way i would install a plug in a bathroom closet,the socket will then be used for a hairdryer/stereo/heater and there is too much potential for disaster. The tenants in the house maybe do not realise the dangers of electricity in a bathroom but you as an electrician should know the dangers. Tell them you can put a self unit there but definitely not mains voltage.

7029 dave · Jun 22, 2015

I would be twitchy doing it too. RCD on circuit.? No mention Steve.

colshaws · Jun 22, 2015

Andy78 said:
It's very different in terms of responsibility and culpability for the installer though.

Surely the installer cannot be held responsible for what the customer uses the socket for if its not against the regs. if its behind a door its out of the zone.

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2015

colshaws said:
Surely the installer cannot be held responsible for what the customer uses the socket for if its not against the regs. if its behind a door its out of the zone.

So where do you draw the line with that ? Being behind a door makes it not in the room so I could put a socket in the vanity cupboard under the basin ?
You could argue it's not actually in the bathroom because it's in a cupboard just as a prosecutor could argue that it is in fact in the bathroom and against regulations.

HappyHippyDad · Jun 22, 2015

7029 dave said:
I would be twitchy doing it too. RCD on circuit.? No mention Steve.

Not at present Dave, but it will do before I'm finished

HappyHippyDad · Jun 22, 2015

Andy78 said:
So where do you draw the line with that ? Being behind a door makes it not in the room so I could put a socket in the vanity cupboard under the basin ?
You could argue it's not actually in the bathroom because it's in a cupboard just as a prosecutor could argue that it is in fact in the bathroom and against regulations.

Thats very true. So which one is right? I think the fact we're discussing it and there are mixed views, shows that it is not a clear cut decision.

I guess I'm going to have to think a bit more about it as I believe it can be justified with the regs but perhaps not justified with common sense!

Andy78 · Jun 22, 2015

happyhippydad said:
Thats very true. So which one is right? I think the fact we're discussing it and there are mixed views, shows that it is not a clear cut decision.

I guess I'm going to have to think a bit more about it as I believe it can be justified with the regs but perhaps not justified with common sense!

As ever, where you deem the regs to be ambiguous or open to interpretation then the call is yours to make drawing upon your experience, knowledge, and risk assessment of the situation. Whether your scheme, the IET, or anyone else deems the regs to be ambiguous is another matter.

You could say that it's not technically in the bathroom so it's technically not dangerous or against the regs. But people don't get technical electric shocks they get real ones.

These are however just my opinions.

Tuttle · Jun 22, 2015

Surely it is in the bathroom, and what's to stop them leaving the cupboard door open all the time.

From the drawing it looks like you could stand in the bath, open the door and plug in your hair dryer, which I guess could be useful.

DPG · Jun 22, 2015

happyhippydad said:
Morning..

I have been asked to put a socket in a bathroom closet which has a door on it. Is there anything in the regs with regards this? The only similar situations that I can find show the wall seperating the area from the bath, but in my case there is a door as well, so the closet is completely enclosed.

From the diagram it's clear that it will not be 3m from the edge of the bath, but could it be seen as a seperate area/room?

A FCU will not be an option as I believe it is to charge a toothbrush. The shaver socket has no shelf so not an option, plus the customer wants the socket anyway.

Thanks all.

Let's look at it from a different angle. Put a nice little glass shelf next to the existing shaver socket. No wiring, no worries, simples. Daz

colshaws · Jun 22, 2015

In reply to Andy post 17
I understand your point and I never said I would be happy to put one there but that it is the same as a socket in the hall just outside the bathroom that the customer could use for whatever they wish, but as its not against the regs then it can be fitted.
Where do we draw the line, not putting a socket within the kitchen in case someone drops a food mixer in the sink while plugged in.

DPG · Jun 22, 2015

colshaws said:
I understand your point and I never said I would be happy to put one there but that it is the same as a socket in the hall just outside the bathroom that the customer could use for whatever they wish, but as its not against the regs then it can be fitted.
Where do we draw the line, not putting a socket within the kitchen in case someone drops a food mixer in the sink while plugged in.

Yes, but in the bathroom your body is soaking wet, hence the extra danger. Daz

7029 dave · Jun 22, 2015

IMO, these opinions are an generation thing us older guys,just think Noooooo, the younger sparky will look at the latest regs an take it in his stride.

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