Comprehensive Guide to Bathroom Zones - Asutpp (2024)

For fixed prefabricated bath or shower units, the zones are applied to the situation when the bath or shower basin is in its intended configuration.

Fixed partitions including horizontal or inclined ceilings, walls with or without windows, doors, floors, may limit the extent of locations containing a bath or shower as well as their zones. Where the dimensions of fixed partitions are smaller than the dimensions of the relevant zones, for example partitions having a height lower than 225 cm (2.25m), the minimum distance in horizontal and vertical direction shall be taken into account.

Shower curtains or equivalent flexible material shall not be used for limiting the zones. Where a shower is located in zone 1 of a bath tub, the zones for a bath tub apply. Where for showers there is more than one fixed water outlet, the limit of the zones to be considered are those given by the combination of the zones.

Bath tub is a basin for the total or substantial immersion of the human body in water, which is intended to be drained after every use.

IEC 60364-7-701-2019

NOTES:

• In Germany, where a shower is located in zone 1 of a bath tub, the bath tub is considered to be a basin for the shower and zone requirements shall be applied accordingly.
• In France, in fixed partitions only fixed walls that belong to the building and linked to the standing ground limit zones. Fixed partitions that do not meet those conditions as well as mobile partitions cannot limit zones.
• In Ireland, a zone 3 exists within 2 400 mm horizontally from zone 2, and 750 mm above zones 1 and 2.

Classification of Bathroom Zones

Subclause 701.30 of IEC 60364-7-701 defines the zones 0, 1 and 2, illustrated by the following figures for most common examples.

Zone 0

Zone 0 is limited:

a) by the interior of a bath tub, see Figure 2 to Figure 4;
b) for showers:

• from the lowest finished floor level up to a horizontal plane at the height of 10 cm above; and
• by a vertical circ*mscribing virtual surface at a distance of 120 cm from the centre of the fixed shower head(s) and/or water outlet(s) limited by fixed partitions restricting the water to enter into the area on the other side of the partition (see Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9).
• Shower doors intended to be closed when taking a shower are delimiting the zone 0, (see Figure 10).

Only fixed current using equipment may be erected provided that the equipment:

• complies with the relevant standard and is suitable for use in that zone according to the manufacturer’s instructions for use and mounting;
• is permanently connected;
• is protected by SELV with a rated voltage not exceeding 12 V AC or 30 V DC, with the source of supply installed outside of zones 0 and 1; and
• has a degree of protection at least IPX7.

NOTE: In the UK, for showers without a basin, the height of zone 0 is 5 cm.

Zone 1

Zone 1 is limited:

a) for a bath tub by:

• the floor level below the bath tub;
• a horizontal plane lying 225 cm (2.25m) above the floor level below the bath tub or a horizontal plane corresponding to the highest fixed shower head, if any, or fixed water outlet, whichever is higher;
• the vertical virtual surface circ*mscribing the bath tub (see Figure 2 to Figure 4); and
• excluding zone 0;

b) for showers by:

• the lowest finished floor level;
• a horizontal plane corresponding to the highest fixed shower head or fixed water outlet or the horizontal plane lying 225 cm above the lowest finished floor level, whichever is higher;
• the vertical circ*mscribing virtual surface at a distance of 120 cm from the centre of the fixed shower head(s) and/or fixed water outlet(s) limited by fixed partitions restricting the water to enter into the area on the other side of the partition;
• shower doors intended to be closed when taking a shower, if any, see Figure 10; and
• excluding zone 0.

Only the following equipment may be erected:

• a) current-using equipment protected by SELV or PELV with a rated voltage not exceeding 25 V AC or 60 V DC, with the source of supply installed outside zones 0 and 1; or
• b) socket-outlets of circuits protected by SELV or PELV with a rated voltage not exceeding 25 V AC or 60 V DC, with the source of supply installed outside zones 0 and 1; or
• c) fixed or stationary current-using equipment permanently connected and suitable for installation in zone 1 according to the manufacturer’s instruction for use and mounting; or
• d) junction boxes and fittings necessary for the supply of equipment installed according to a), b) and c).

Equipment shall have a degree of protection at least IPX4.

EXAMPLE: Equipment likely to be installed in zone 1 includes hot tubs, shower pumps, ventilation equipment, towel rails, water heating appliances, luminaires, washing machines, active glazing, infrared and ultraviolet emitters.

NOTE: In the UK, the space under the bath or shower basin is considered to be zone 1. However if the space under the bath tub or shower basin is only accessible with a tool, it is considered to be outside the zones.

NOTE: In Ireland, the space under a bath is deemed to be zone 1 if the space is accessible without a tool.

Zone 2

Zone 2 is limited:

a) for a bath tub by:

• the finished floor level;
• the horizontal plane corresponding to the highest fixed shower head or fixed water outlet or the horizontal plane lying 225 cm above the finished floor level, whichever is higher; and
• the vertical virtual surface at the boundary of zone 1 and the parallel vertical virtual surface at a distance of 60 cm from the zone 1 border (see Figure 2 to Figure 4);

b) for showers, there is no zone 2. (see Figure 5 to Figure 10).

Only the following equipment may be erected:

• fixed current-using equipment, having a degree of protection of at least IPX4, that is permanently connected;
• socket-outlets, having a degree of protection of at least IPX4, of circuits protected by SELV or PELV with the source of supply installed outside zones 0 and 1;
• electrical accessories, other than socket-outlets, having a degree of protection at least IPX4, that are permanently connected;
• shaver supply units according to IEC 61558-2-5. If the shaver supply unit is located such that direct spray from the shower is likely, it shall have a degree of protection of at least IPX4.

NOTE: In the UK, except for SELV socket-outlets and shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5, socket-outlets are prohibited within a distance of 2,5 m horizontally from the boundary of zone 1.

Zone 3

In Spain, zone 3 is limited by:

• a) the limit vertical plane outside zone 2 and the parallel vertical plane situated at a distance of 2,4 m from the latter; and
• b) the floor and the horizontal plane lying 2.25m from the floor.

Moreover, when the ceiling height is more than 2,25 m above the floor, the space between zone 2 and the ceiling or up to a height of 3 m above the floor, whichever is the lower value, is considered as zone 3.

Zone 3 includes any space underneath the bath or shower which is only accessible by using a tool, provided the closure of this volume guarantees at least IP X4 protection. This classification is not applicable to the space underneath jacuzzis and cubicles.

In Spain, The installation of equipment in zone 3 is also accepted provided it is protected against electric shock by RCDs with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA, by electrical separation or by SELV.

Examples of Zone Dimensions

Key:

• 0 – Zone 0;
• 1 – Zone 1;
• 2 – Zone 2.

Key:

• 0 – Zone 0;
• 1 – Zone 1;
• 2 – Zone 2;
• P – Fixed partition;
• T – Thread gauge for minimum distance.

Key:

• 0 – Zone 0;
• 1 – Zone 1;
• S – Fixed water outlet.

Key:

• 0 – Zone 0;
• 1 – Zone 1;
• P – Fixed partition;
• T – Thread gauge for minimum distance;
• S – Fixed water outlet.

Key:

• 1 – Zone 1;
• S – Fixed water outlet.

Key:

• 1 Zone 0 and zone 1;
• P Fixed partition;
• T Thread gauge for minimum distance;
• S Fixed water outlet.

Key:

• 1 – Zone 0 and zone 1;
• A – Opened shower door;
• C – Shower doors when shower is in use;
• B – Shower doors when shower is not in use;
• S – Fixed water outlet.

Protective Measure: Extra Low Voltage Provided by SELV and PELV

All electrical equipment installed in zones 0 and 1 shall have basic insulation capable of withstanding a test voltage of 500 V AC RMS for 1 min.

All electrical equipment installed in a zone 2 shall have:

• basic insulation capable of withstanding a test voltage of 500 V AC RMS for 1 min; or
• enclosures affording a degree of protection of at least IPXXB or IP2X.

Additional Protection: Residual Current Protective Devices (RCDs)

Except for circuits with protective measures “SELV or PELV” or “protection by electrical separation”, additional protection by the use of one or more RCDs having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA shall be provided for:

• circuits serving the location containing a bath tub and/or a shower;
• circuits passing through zone 1 and/or zone 2 not serving this location.

What Are the Wiring Regulations for Bathrooms?

• IEC 60364-7-701-2019
• BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (18th Edition)