Can you put a pendant light in the bathroom

This chart offers a little more information on the IP ratings and the level of protection they provide. The first digit relates to solid particles and dust. The second digit relates to water and steam. If reading's not your favourite pastime, or you're short on time, you can watch our helpful video guide on bathroom lights.

Code can not be used in conjunction with any other offer or code. Need a bit more information on lighting your bathroom? Or perhaps just some more inspiration? We have a great blog on how to light your bathroom. Click the blog button below to view:. This is not only because they are one of the busiest rooms in the whole house, but because it is one of the rooms that a guest will most likely frequent.

For that reason, everything needs to look clean and great. So finding the right Pendant lights to enhance the bathroom is extremely important. However, a lot of people don't realise that Pendant mounted bathroom lights need to comply with UK safety regulations.

These regulations are actually very strict — meaning that there are many interior Pendant lights out there that simply should not be fitted in a bathroom. Each light is given an Ingress Protection rating or IP rating.

The numbers in this rating refer to how much a light is protected from water or steam entering the light's fitting. A water resistance rating of IP44 or above is a requirement for lights to be safely used in a bathroom. The first 4 in an IP44 rating refers to the fixture being protected against solid objects that are over 1mm such as tools, wires and small wires.

The second 4 in IP44 refers to a fitting having protection against water being sprayed on it from all directions. However, a limited amount of water can enter IP44 rated bathroom Pendant lights and still be safe. Then there are also zones to consider. It must also be low voltage.

Any lighting used in this area must have an IPX4 rating. Understanding these zones and their individual requirements will help you purchase suitable lighting and will guide you on the power socket placement for items such as electric razors, hair dryers and heated towel rails.

Moreover, understanding the correlation between IP rating, zoning and steam is also crucial. Lighting over a shower must be waterproofed with an IP67 rating; this protects the light fitting from steam, which can cause electrical problems. Easy solutions include recessed lights with glass covers, as they prevent steam and condensation. Such considerations are vitally important from both a safety and longevity standpoint. Wet rooms are open spaces that remove the need for additional lighting in specific areas such as showers and baths.

Wet rooms work by essentially removing the shower stall and is commonly used in homes across Scandinavia. Using the same showerheads and splashback walls, the entire floor is sealed, treating the whole space as a shower stall. Generally, a shower curtain is simply used for water splash prevention. This is particularly beneficial for small rooms where a separate shower stall would consume too much space; however, it requires extra planning and consideration.

You must consider the positioning of every fixture and fitting in the bathroom, as it has a greater risk of water exposure. Switches should also be installed outside the bathroom, and towel racks must be placed further away from the shower. Conversely, wet rooms are a way to create open, uninterrupted spaces for opulent effect in larger bathrooms. It also eliminates the need for additional lighting for a shower stall.

Wet rooms are also a great option for people with access requirements and mobility impairments, as they offer people a shower without the need to step in or out, as well as space for chairs, rails and other equipment. Any domestic installation of lighting must be carried out by a licensed electrician in Australia. Moreover, there are requirements relating to the voltage of bathroom lighting. In general, you can install a V light fitting in a bathroom, if it is outside of unsafe zones.

For a pendant to be placed within zone 1, it needs to be of low voltage, IPX4 rated or double insulated. We advise contacting your electrician for professional advice on bathroom lighting placement and installation, in line with legislative requirements that are designed to ensure safety. Side-to-side lighting is preferred over top down lighting and is the best bathroom lighting for makeup application. While recessed lighting in the ceiling above the mirror can cast shadows across your face, lighting placed at the top end of the mirror works well provided you select lighting that evenly spreads.