Risk prevention

...CG 1001...

ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN
BATHROOMS

ACCOR Risk Prevention

ACC_WE_CG1001_ELEC.SAFETY BATHROOM V 2.1 Dec 09 1/10
 CONTENTS

1 REMINDER: DEFINITION OF PROTECTION RATINGS (SUMMARY) 2

1.1 1st figure: protection against foreign objects and dust 2
1.2 2nd figure: protection against water 3
1.3 Additional letters 3
1.4 mechanical impact resistance 3
1.5 examples 3
1.6 symbol 3
2 CLASSES OF PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCKS: 4
2.1 class I equipment: 4
2.2 class II equipment: 4
2.3 class III equipment: 4
2.4 symbol 4
3 DEFINITIONS: 4
4 DETERMINATION OF CENELEC HARMONISED BATH ZONES: 5
5 HEIGHT NON HARMONISED LIMITS DEPENDING OF THE CEILING TYPE 7
6 SHOWER ZONES 0 AND 1 IN LOCATIONS CONTAINING A SHOWER WITHOUT
BASIN 8
7 SELECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (CENELEC
HARMONISED OR BS 7671 17TH EDITION ONLY) 9
8 REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCOR HOTELS 10
8.1 General 10
8.2 Hair dryer 10

Introduction
The object of this note is to summarise the main international electrical regulations
applicable to bathrooms and their adaptation for the British standard BS 7671 17th edition.
These consist essentially of International Standards IEC 60364-7-701 of the International
Electro technical Commission and of the harmonisation documents of the European
Committee CENELEC HD384 for Electro technical Standardisation.

Subject to possible more restrictive requirements of local regulations, the safety standards
set out below, the objective of which is to protect people against electrical dangers, shall
apply to all ACCOR hotels in all countries. The British Standards specific parts could be
used as examples and should be adapted in each country with local standards.

1 REMINDER: DEFINITION OF PROTECTION RATINGS (SUMMARY)

The degree of protection provided by the enclosures to electrical equipment is indicated by

the letters IP (International Protection Rating) followed by 2 figures, and one or more letters,
as defined in the International standard IEC 60529 and EN 60529. Each figure has a precise
significance, explained below. The letters are rarely used.

1.1 1ST FIGURE: PROTECTION AGAINST FOREIGN OBJECTS AND DUST

• 0: no protection
• 1: protected against foreign objects over 50 mm
• 2: protected against foreign objects over 12 mm
• 3: protected against foreign objects over 2.5 mm
• 4: protected against foreign objects over 1 mm
• 5: dust (talc) can enter without affecting operation
• 6: dust (talc) cannot enter

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 1.2 2ND FIGURE: PROTECTION AGAINST WATER

• 0: no protection
• 1: protected against vertically falling drops of water (condensation)
• 2: protected against falling drops of water up to 15° from the vertical
• 3: protected against rainwater up to 60° from the vertical
• 4: protected against water sprayed from all directions
• 5: protected against water sprayed from all directions (jets: 0.3 bar at 3 m)
• 6: protected against strong jets of water (jets: 1 bar at 3 m)
• 7: immersion at less than 1 m

1.3 ADDITIONAL LETTERS

The standard defines additional letters that can be appended to:

Classify only the level of protection against access to hazardous parts by persons:
• A : Back of hand
• B : Finger
• C : Tools
• D : Wire

Provide additional information related to the protection of the device:

• H : High voltage device
• M : Device moving during water test
• S : Device standing still during water test
• D : Weather conditions

1.4 MECHANICAL IMPACT RESISTANCE

An additional number has sometimes been used to specify the resistance of equipment to
mechanical impact. This third number has been superseded by the separate IK number
specified in EN 50102 or IEC 60529.

1.5 EXAMPLES

• IP 42: the equipment is protected against foreign objects over 1 mm and protected
against splashes of water at up to 15° from the ver tical.
• IP x4: protection against foreign objects and dust is not mentioned ("x" has been put),
protection against water sprayed from all directions is assured.

1.6 SYMBOL

Electrical equipment often has symbols stating the level of protection against water, their
meaning is given in the table below:

IP ratings / symbols
IP x3 IP x4 IP x5 IP x7

You will note that protection against foreign objects is not specified.

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2 CLASSES OF PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCKS:

2.1 CLASS I EQUIPMENT:

Has basic insulation AND an earth

2.2 CLASS II EQUIPMENT:

Has double insulation or reinforced insulation. Earthing is not required.

2.3 CLASS III EQUIPMENT:

Protection against electric shocks is provided by means of a very low voltage supply (< 50 V)

2.4 SYMBOL
Electrical equipment often has symbols stating the level of protection against electric shocks,
their meaning is given in the table below:
Class /symbol
0 I II III

3 DEFINITIONS:
Below are a few definitions of the terms used :

• Switchgear: equipment provided to be connected to an electrical circuit for the purpose

of carrying out the functions of protection, control, isolation, switching

• Wiring system: assembly consisting of one or more electrical conductors and the units
used to fix them and, if applicable, their mechanical protection

• Electrical equipment: any equipment used for the production, transformation, transport,
distribution or use of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, switchgear,
measuring apparatus, protection devices, trunking, appliances.

• Electric shock: physiopathological effect of the passage of electrical current through the
human body.

• Direct contacts: contacts of persons with live parts.

• Indirect contacts: contacts of persons with exposed conductive parts made live due to
an insulation defect.

• Conductor: any conductor or any conductive part designed to carry current in normal
service, together with the neutral conductor, but, by convention, not the PEN conductor.

• PEN conductor: Conductor, providing the functions of both a protective earthing

conductor and a neutral conductor.

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4 DETERMINATION OF CENELEC HARMONISED BATH ZONES:

WIDTH LIMITS
Bath or shower with a basin
Bath or shower with a basin with fixed walls

zone 0 zone 2 zone 0 zone 2

zone 1 zone 1
0,60 m 0,60 m

0,60 m

Built-in bath with wide curb

zone 2 zone 0 zone 2

zone 1
0,60 m 0,60 m

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 HEIGHT LIMITS, without suspended ceiling

Bath or shower with a basin

Outside zone

zone 1 zone 2
Socket outlet
3,00m from Zone 1 or
225cm extended zone 1 of a
zone 0 shower with no basin
and must be protected
by a 30mA RCD

Built-in bath with wide curb

Outside zone

225cm zone 2 zone 1 zone 2 3,00m from Zone 1 or

extended zone 1 of a Socket outlet
shower with no basin
and must be protected
zone 0 by a 30mA RCD

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5 HEIGHT NON HARMONISED LIMITS DEPENDING OF THE CEILING TYPE

th
HEIGHT LIMITS FOR BATH AND SHOWER BS 7671 17 edition

Fixed ceiling or suspended ceiling which cannot be dismantled

Suspended ceiling which cannot be dismantled is considered as a fix ceiling and limits the room. The
zone above the ceiling is not a part of the room.

Suspended ceiling which can be dismantled with a tool

Suspended ceiling which can be dismantled with a tool is the height limit of zone 1 and 2 if its height is
less than 2.25 meters.

Outside Suspended ceiling

Zone 1 Zone 2 Socket outlet

< 225cm 3,00m from Zone 1 or
Zone 0 extended zone 1 of a
shower with no basin and
must be protected by a
30mA RCD

Floor

Perforated suspended ceiling or suspended ceiling which can be dismantled without any tool

Same as without suspended ceiling.

Outside

Suspended ceiling

zone 1 Socket outlet

zone 2
225cm
3,00m from Zone 1 or
zone 0 extended zone 1 of a
shower with no basin
and must be protected
by a 30mA RCD

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6 SHOWER ZONES 0 AND 1 IN LOCATIONS CONTAINING A SHOWER
WITHOUT BASIN

For showers without basin, there is no

zone 2 but an increased zone 1 is
provided by the horizontal dimension of
120cm mentioned in this Figure

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7 SELECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
(CENELEC HARMONISED OR BS 7671 17TH EDITION ONLY)
The following tables set out what is permitted in each zone.
Items marked CENELEC are international standards.
Items marked BS are applicable to UK and other associated countries.
Local codes may require more stringent specifications.

ZONE 0
IP X7 CENELEC
Wiring systems supplying electrical equipment in zone 0, 1 or 2 and CENELEC
erected on parts of walls which are limiting these zones shall be
mounted either on the surface or embedded within a wall at a
Wiring system minimum depth of 5cm
All other embedded wiring systems including their accessories in
parts of walls or partitions which limit a zone 0, 1 or 2 shall be at
least 5cm deep from the limiting wall surface
Switchgear No switchgear or accessories are permitted CENELEC
Equipment Only apparatus specially made for use in a bath shall be permitted. CENELEC

ZONE 1
IP X4 or X5 anywhere equipment may be exposed to water jets CENELEC
Wiring systems supplying electrical equipment in zone 0, 1 or 2 and CENELEC
erected on parts of walls which are limiting these zones shall be
mounted either on the surface or embedded within a wall at a
Wiring system minimum depth of 5cm
All other embedded wiring systems including their accessories in
parts of walls or partitions which limit a zone 0, 1 or 2 shall be at
least 5cm deep from the limiting wall surface
Only switches for SELV circuits and equipment – max 25V a.c.rms BS
Switchgear or 60 V ripple-free d.c. may be used. Safety source te be outside
zones 0, 1 & 2.
Current-using equipment must be BS
- Fixed and permanently connected
- Suitable for use in zone 1
- Installed according to manufacturer’s instructions
Equipment that may be installed
- Electric showers
- Shower pumps
Equipment
- Equipment protected by SELV or PELV nominal voltage not
exceeding 25V a.c. rms or 60V ripple-free d.c.
Safety source to be outside zone 0,1 & 2
- Ventilation equipment
- Towel rails
- Water heaters
- luminaires

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 ZONE 2
IP X4 or X5 anywhere equipment may be exposed to water jets, CENELEC
Shaver sockets to BS EN 61558-2-5 located where direct spray from
showers is unlikely
Wiring systems supplying electrical equipment in zone 0, 1 or 2 and CENELEC
erected on parts of walls which are limiting these zones shall be
mounted either on the surface or embedded within a wall at a
Wiring system minimum depth of 5cm
All other embedded wiring systems including their accessories in
parts of walls or partitions which limit a zone 0, 1 or 2 shall be at
least 5cm deep from the limiting wall surface
As zone 1 above except, shaver sockets to BS EN 61558-2-5 may BS
Switchgear
be fitted.
Current-using equipment must be BS
- Permanently connected, the means of connection must be
Equipment outside of zone 2
- Suitable for use in a location containing a bath or shower
- Installed according to manufacturer’s instructions

8 REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCOR HOTELS

8.1 GENERAL

No electrical equipment should be installed in areas 0 and 1.

Electrical equipment in zone 2 must be :

• class II Cautionthe 3 conditions
• + fed from a 30 mA RCD (*) must be fulfilled
• + with a protection rating of IP x4 simultaneously

(*) In any case, all fittings in bathrooms and all socket outlets wherever they are
located must be fed from a 30 mA RCD.

Take care never to project into zone 1, even by one centimetre:

• Check the position of light fittings in relation to the bath or the shower,
• Check the height carefully: a height of 2.25 m is essential
• Downlighters in ceilings (or recessed into the suspended ceilings) must be IP x4 if they
are at a height of less than 2.25 m.

8.2 HAIR DRYER

Conventional hair dryer (Electric gun type) :

When such hair dryer is installed, it consists of a base or support bracket fixed to the wall
and a "gun", which is the hair dryer itself.
The base can be installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2, at least 3 meters from zone 1;
It shall not be possible for the "gun" of the hair dryer to reach zone 2 when the electrical
cable is stretched (shorten the cable if necessary),
The base shall be fitted with a shaver point with a small isolating transformer,
The gun should have a switch built into the handle (it switches off automatically when the
gun is put down)

Wall mounted air-blower type :

Such units may be installed in zone 2 and can or not include a razor socket. They must be
class II and IP X4 rated in all cases.

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