A bathroom can be greatly enhanced by selecting the most suitable lighting. Due to increased health and safety regulations, advances have been made in the technology protecting open lamps and electrics from steam and moisture, leading to more exceptional lighting being designed for bathrooms. Today consumers have access to spotlights, energy efficient fittings and even chandeliers designed and manufactured for use in bathrooms. Colour-changing LED lamps and fluorescent energy efficient lamps in a rainbow of colours are available to alter the mood of the bathroom subtly, or purely to create an entirely different atmosphere altogether. Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom needs the most flexible lighting scheme; it should be bright enough to enable you to put on make-up or shave, but nobody wants to take a relaxing bath under a 100 watt lamp.

There are important safety regulations surrounding bathroom lighting. Each bathroom fitting should be given an IP rating (ingress protection). This defines how susceptive it is to dust and in particular water. Ratings are made up from two numbers; the first number defines how much dust can get into the fitting, and the second number defines how much water can get into the fitting. For example, an IP44 rating for a bathroom light determines that it is protected from solid objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires) and sprays of water from all directions. As the numbers get higher, the protection increases. Fixtures which are continuously immersed in water must have an IP68 rating, for example swimming pool and bathtub lights. Furthermore, light switches must either be located outside of the bathroom or inside as a pull cord to avoid electric shock.

If you have any queries regarding bathroom lighting regulations, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced customer service team.