extractor fans in bathroom

[n180]

Someone asked me to install an extractor fan in their bathroom.

Still on level 2 at college but willing to give it a shot.

The fan will be connected to the ceiling rose.

A few questions please:

1. Are all types of bathroom extractor fan installations notifiable, even if they are outside the zone areas 1 and 2? Even if the wiring is running above the ceiling in the loft area?

2. If notifiable how much would the cert cost from a Part P sparky and will it be one of those minor works certs?

3. where in the on site guide is the stuff related to the extractor fans? Is it just the general bathroom section?

4. Are triple pole isolators and/or 3amp FCU's necessary for the extractor fan if the lighting circuit is protected by an RCD/RCCB?

5. Does anyone have any good wiring diagrams for connnecting the fan to the ceiling rose/isolator?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard Burns]

If the wiring that you are modifying i.e the light, switch and fan are outside of the zones of the bathroom, then this would not be notifiable work.
(Though the fan therefore may be inappropriately positioned!).
Cables in the loft are not in zones.

Third party notification to building control would probably cost a lot, unless it was a cowboy, as they would have to be informed in advance, supervise your work, inspect and test your work and notify BC.
They would issue a Minor Electrical installation works certificate to the customer and their third party notification scheme would issue a building regulations compliance certificate to the customer.

Fans come under Part F of the building regulations and are also mentioned in the domestic ventilation services compliance guide (an additional document available on the planning portal.

The fan must be protected by a 30mA RCD as it is in a room containing a bath or shower. This makes no difference to the isolation and fusing requirements.
Isolation is advised by the building regulations, a switched fused (3A) spur is required by most manufacturers instructions (but not all).

To safely cover everything required by everybody in all circumstances you would need to fuse down the 30mA RCD protected incoming supply to 3A (SFCU), have a double pole isolator (part of the DP SFCU) with 3mm contact gap and have a three pole isolator.

Diagram of a possible method of wiring in the fan, though there are many others. You also might want to have the neutral to the light coming from the TP load side of the SFCU.

 

[n180]

Richard,

That is brilliant. Clears a lot of my issues. Many thanks.