Switches in a Washroom? distance?

[LukeScotty]

Is there any regulations to what distance and height of a switch is to be away from a sink in a washroom (toliet and sink) in the Regs, cant seem to find anything as its not a special location is it. I'm guessing its got to be 300mm from the sink like in a kitchen??

 

[Cirrus]

What sort of switch Luke?

 

[LukeScotty]

flick switches.

 

[TonyM58]

Hi Luke,

and which reg says it has to be 300mm from a sink in a kitchen???

i am aware that the regs talk about equipment being suitable for their environment. if you were to mount a 13 A socket, for example, directly above a sink, it could be argued that it unsuitable, due to possible water ingress etc., but what if the socket was to a high IP code such as IP67 (capable of temporary immersion in water i believe)

appreciate this does not fully answer you, but the reason you cant find the reg is there isnt one (ar far as i am aware) - so it could be a straightfoward judgement call on your part. A pull switch would be safer than a flick switch, and a flick switch further from a source of water is safer than one closer to it (sorry if you are now sucking on something oval in shape that comes from a chicken!)

Sorry i cant help further !!!

regards

Tony

 

[LukeScotty]

Thats alright that tony, Its just that I couldn't find something which isnt there, saved me more time scanning through the book. Got the 300m from a sink in the kitchen in the onsite guide to the building regulations, is it not a reg and just a recommendation??

cheers luke

 

[TonyM58]

Damn right Luke, just a reccomendation, not a reg. There are actually a number of things out there which started out as good practice (and still are good practice) but over time have become considered to absolutes which must be adhered to!

regards

Tony

 

[gazzel72]

have u thought of putting the swich on the outside of the room, common practice in my experience

 

[Cirrus]

That's what I have for by D/S toilet and it drives me mad - so much so that I am going to install a PIR in the toilet instead and do away with the unsightly switch in an awkward place

 

[wayne]

good idea on pir saves leaving light on all time . some of the toilet /sink rooms we install in are no bigger than a cubicle yet the drawing office still put in a switch i prefer a pir anytime

 

[Cirrus]

I just need to fins a nice wall mounted one. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[LukeScotty]

pirs are the furture for saving you electricity bills, dont ya think, never forget to switch the light off

 

[Captain Kirk]

If as been suggested, in a room containing a wc and wash hand basin, the light could be operated by a pir or a switch outside the room or a pullcord (all of which seem sensible to do) should this theory be extended to kitchens, where hands can also be immersed in water.

Any views

 

[Spudnik]

If as been suggested, in a room containing a wc and wash hand basin, the light could be operated by a pir or a switch outside the room or a pullcord (all of which seem sensible to do) should this theory be extended to kitchens, where hands can also be immersed in water.

Any views

No, because there is less shock risk in a kitchen than in a bathroom where a persons body is likely to be wet.

Although that doesnt stop them putting their hands outside the door to flick the switch.

 

[mrloy99]

I just need to fins a nice wall mounted one. Anyone got any ideas?

I've seen them ones that fit a single gang switch box,only problem is they need a neutral,which you don't usually have at the switch.You can also get ones built into some light fittings,or you can also get the motion sensor separate which you can fit into the fitting yourself.

 

[beaver74]

I've seen them ones that fit a single gang switch box,only problem is they need a neutral,which you don't usually have at the switch.You can also get ones built into some light fittings,or you can also get the motion sensor separate which you can fit into the fitting yourself.

they do a 2 wire pir now that uses the switch line via lamp as a neutral