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Re: Proximity of light switch from bath |
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| message from Paper2002AD on 21 May 2004 |
Here's a silly thing.
Light switches in bathrooms must be pull cord, and 13 amp sockets are a no-no,
for obvious reasons.
However, in our kitchens, we can happily have 13 amp sockets for kettles &
toasters, and controls for dishwashers and waste disposal units, all within
reach of our wet soapy hands as we wash the dishes!
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| Christian McArdle replied to Paper2002AD on 21 May 2004 |
That seems reasonable to me. The additional danger in bathrooms is that you
are likely to have wet feet and no shoes. This doesn't normally apply in a
kitchen unless you have a very odd lifestyle. You are also likely to have
locked the door, making discovery and rescue more difficult.
With your body mostly dry, with insulated soles on your shoes, but with wet
hands, you aren't likely to get more than a tingle touching the live only,
but please don't try this at home!
Furthermore, not having sockets isn't a great inconvenience in a bathroom,
but would make a kitchen unfit for purpose.
Christian.
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| Tony replied to Christian McArdle on 21 May 2004 |
I don't have a strange lifestyle but I often have wet bare feet as the
nearest entrance to the house is through the kitchen from the pool.
I'm forever thinking I mustn't do this or that in the kitchen at these times
because the risk is higher.
The way the regs are going, we won't be permitted to have electricity in the
house or water in a pool because that makes things safer :-)
Tony
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| Ian Stirling replied to Tony on 21 May 2004 |
Maybe the intent is to discourage pool ownership? :)
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| Christian McArdle replied to Tony on 21 May 2004 |
Actually, the regulations are becoming more permissive. It is now permitted
to have standard light switches in bathrooms under certain circumstances
under the new zone based regime. It is also now recommended to use plastic
pipework so as not to require ugly supplementary bonding in the bathroom
(except for electrical appliances, etc.).
Christian.
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| Tony replied to Christian McArdle on 21 May 2004 |
Well there goes my rant :-). You shouldn't be bringing truth and reality
into a newsgroup. S'not allowed!
Tony
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| BigWallop replied to Paper2002AD on 21 May 2004 |
Condensation on surfaces and high moisture content in the air are not as high a factor
in most kitchens though. So this plays an important part in the electrical fixtures
you can place in these conditions.
You can have permanently fixed appliances in the bathroom if they are connected to
unswitched flex outlet units. The units are then controlled from a double pole switch
out with the bathroom area.
In the kitchen you shouldn't have socket outlets within 500mm of either side of the
sink or any water spray area, and it is also common to have remote unswitched sockets
placed below the worktops and controlled from double pole switches above the worktop
area.
If you have sockets anywhere nearer to your kitchen sink you're asking for trouble,
not just from being able to touch them but, from the fact that they could be splashed
with water and cause the power to trip off to the whole house. You then have to allow
them to dry off before you switch on again. Very inconvenient.
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Archived message: Re: Proximity of light switch from bath (UK DIY Home Renovation)
