240V Bathroom extractor fan in zone 1?

[Toad]

My electrician says he can't sign off the installation in my new loft conversion because the 240V extractor fan is in zone 1 (directly above the shower), and hence violates the Regs. He says the easiest option is to replace it with a 12V one, and locate the transformer remotely.

Disappointed, I phoned Vent Axia and Manrose to find out what 12V fans might be suitable, explaining my predicament. They both said the 240V fan is permitted in zone 1 under the 17th Edition Regs, provided the fan is IPX4 rated (which it is) and also that the circuit is RCD protected (which is it, since I have RCBOs on all circuits).

Please can someone confirm one way or the other. I don't want to embarass the electrician (NICEIC qualified), or myself, so I need to have reliable information on this, but obviously I don't want to change the fan if I don't have to!

 

[Octopus]

Even if the manufacturers instructions say its OK for zone 1 I wouldn't fit it.

In Line fans rule OK!

 

[Toad]

And thanks Paul.m also!

 

[Toad]

Murdoch, surely there will be adequate protection against shock if the electric circuit is protected by the RCD?

 

[Octopus]

Murdoch, surely there will be adequate protection against shock if the electric circuit is protected by the RCD?

May be. Still doesn't alter my opinion that 240v has NO place in zone 1 in a bathroom

 

[IQ Electrical]

Murdoch, surely there will be adequate protection against shock if the electric circuit is protected by the RCD?

There will be adequate protection by RCD, IP and double insulation, absolutely nothing wrong with this setup but we still fit inline extract, such a better job!

 

[SirKit Breaker]

It should state clearly in the Installation instructions which zones it is suitable for. The manufacturers instructions take precedence over any rules and regulations.

Cheers..........Howard

 

[Toad]

Have just accessed the manufacturer's instructions. All it says is that the wiring must comply with current IEE Regs. The fan is Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon dMEV Unit, IPX4 rated, 240V, and located in zone 1. Just to repeat, the cirucit is RCD protected (actually, RCBO in my case).

My original question still stands: can I keep this fan, or must it be replaced with a 12V one to make it satisfy the regs?

 

[Toad]

Howard, the manufacturer's instructions simply don't say anything about zones!

 

[Richard]

Put an inline one in like i mentioned earlier in this thread toad and all will be well....

Is there any loft space? Its a loft conversion so maybe this isn't nowpossible?

 

[dim_bulb]

it wont be alot more to just buy a 12v why cant you take the 230v back and exchange it? seems mixed opinions and it might be less hassel in the long run for you so you can get it signed off!

 

[microy]

Ask the electrician to show you the regulation.

 

[Geoffsd]

701.55 (v) . ventilation equipment. provided it is suitable for installation in zone 1, according to the manufacturers instructions.

CORRECT.

The answer to the original question is the fan is allowed where it is.

 

[Johnny-G]

Have just accessed the manufacturer's instructions. All it says is that the wiring must comply with current IEE Regs. The fan is Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon dMEV Unit, IPX4 rated, 240V, and located in zone 1. Just to repeat, the cirucit is RCD protected (actually, RCBO in my case).

My original question still stands: can I keep this fan, or must it be replaced with a 12V one to make it satisfy the regs?

Keep it if you want.
It complies with the regulations as long as it's IPX4 or IPX5 if there's a chance of water jets hitting it.
Tell your electrician to check table 8.1 in the OSG.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Have just accessed the manufacturer's instructions. All it says is that the wiring must comply with current IEE Regs. The fan is Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon dMEV Unit, IPX4 rated, 240V, and located in zone 1. Just to repeat, the cirucit is RCD protected (actually, RCBO in my case).

My original question still stands: can I keep this fan, or must it be replaced with a 12V one to make it satisfy the regs?

Toad, on a forum, you get a mixture of fact and opinion.

The facts are that the fan by way of it's IP rating does comply, it's also double insulated and RCD protected so if you want to keep it there, you can.

The opinion is that an inline fan or SELV unit is better but seeing as your fan is fitted and working.....

 

[ezzzekiel]

didnt the elctrician fit the fan? if not whys he signing off someone elses work? if he wont budge and its correctly rated just remove the fan and refit after its signed off or get himm to mention it in the observations that he refused connection.