Switched spur in bathroom.......

screech · Jul 13, 2012

Guys, I need to settle an argument with a colleague with the location of a towel rail spur....

As per table and fig 8.1 in the OSG, switched fuse spur can be installed for a towel rail outside of the zones...?

I understand sockets need to be 3m from the bath or shower, to allow for the flex.... but i don't see a switched spur as a socket.......

Cheers.

somersetsparks · Jul 13, 2012

Dave 85 said:
Nowt wrong with a spur in a bathroom long as its outside zones. People always look gobsmacked when I tell them they can have a lightswitch in their bathroom if they like (I generally tend to put them outside anyway just to protect myself from slander at the hands of less well informed people)

A chap recently questioned me on a PIR about the battenholder I replaced in his toilet, he said 'I don't think thats allowed now mate because the baths above it and if the bath leaks it would get wet' !

Swicade · Jul 13, 2012

Sockets in a bathroom.....light switches in bathrooms....switch fused spurs in bathrooms......the more i read here the more i'm convinced the 17th edition has taken many steps backwards in my personal opinion.

Think i'll still stick to sockets,switch fused spurs or light switches (except the ugly pullswitch) outside a bathroom meself to avoid any damp fingers flicking them around (also take into account an extract fan that doesn't work properly turning the bathroom into a steam room)

Jimmy Boy · Jul 13, 2012

Chaps just a point here to raise, and I have been guilty of this myself so hands up.
It seems ofton that as soon as we enter a 'Special location' we seem to focus on the particular regulations for that location, to the detriment of more other 'General' regulations, I will give you an example such as this question by the OP. he is quite rightly applying section 7, but what about part 5 selection and erection of equipment > Chapter 52 page 123. 522/522.3/522.3.1 I could go on, but my point is that just because an accessory can be fitted outside a zone it must still be suitable for any external influence that you can reasonably foresee that may be placed upon it, so do you think an accessory might get condensation in it or splashed/sprayed ? thats for the sparks to decide but I hope you see my point.

J

Octopus · Jul 13, 2012

and the other problem is shrinking homes where zone 2 could be the wall of the room!

telectrix · Jul 13, 2012

screech said:
Because apparently its not clear enough as it doesn't specifically say.

Yes they are - 3m from the boundary of zone 1.

This is my argument, you don't plug anything into a spur - its permanently connected! The towel rail can be in zone 2 but the spur needs to be outside zones.

I think some people expect toilet paper to jump out the books and wipe their arse for them!

but what is the regulation on bog roll. is it allowed inside the zones, or does it have to be enclosed and accessible only by means of a tool or a key?

Engineer54 · Jul 13, 2012

Sockets in a bathroom.....light switches in bathrooms....switch fused spurs in bathrooms......the more i read here the more i'm convinced the 17th edition has taken many steps backwards in my personal opinion.

Why?? There are many influential Western countries that have had light switches and socket outlets in bathrooms for years now!! Presently the Germans allow wall switches and outlets with 10mA DP RCD/RCBO protection, the Yanks have twin integral 6mA GFI outlets in bathrooms, to mention just two examples. In many of the bathrooms on this project we have fixed hair dryers as well as electric towel rails. Wouldn't say these bathrooms were particularly big either...