This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

EICR - does bathroom lighting outside zone 2 need to conform with IP rating and additional rcd protection?

Hi, I have received an EICR certificate with 2 C2s on bathroom lighting 1) Bathroom lighting does not conform to IP rating (note the lighting outside the zone based on published zoning guidance (low voltage spot light) but inspector insisted on ignoring the zoning guidance) 2) Bathroom lighting circuit is not connected to an RCD also supplementary bonding is not visible. 

Questions- 1) Are the C2s legitimate? As a layman, I find it difficult to understand why the inspector insisted on ignoring the bathroom zoning regulation (my ceiling is actually higher than most of the newer flat) . 2) Also how do I find out whether there is supplemental bonding in the bathroom lighting circuit (nothing is visible outside) - does it really warrant a C2 if I cannot prove that there is supplemental bonding (the lighting in my bathroom is low voltage (I don’t know what is the voltage but it is very dim) and is located outside zone) . 3) If the C2s are legitimate, how can I fix the issue with minimal cost? 

many thanks for your time in advance.

Parents
  • The Energy Performance Certificate will also recommend replacing this light with LED lighting, it is obsolete halogen lighting and quite possibly not suitable for the environment in which it is installed as it is not IP rated, also being open backed it does not have a fire rating which may be another issue.

    Just replace the light with a dedicated IP65 SELV LED down light and save yourself, the letting agents, the electrician and the NICEIC unnecessary grief.

    The light is not worth arguing about, the circuit supplying it should still be 30 mA RCD protected, but if that light is replaced, I would probably then go for a C3. Ideally the MCB would be swapped for a RCBO, but I don't think they are available for that consumer unit, so the lighting circuit could go onto the RCD with the sockets if push comes to shove.

  • Sorry I’m not very sure I understand - I had an EPC done at the same time but no recommendations (overall rating is B).Do you mean if I change the light to a different light then the RCD point is mooted or just drop the point because it is less hassle for everyone? 

    on the RCd protection point, can you please clarify how the work is supposed to be done? I’m afraid I don’t understand at all sorry 

  • Actually, can anyone here tell me what are potential options to deal with the RCD protection for bathroom lighting (from most economical to most effective bearing in mind that my bathroom lighting is low voltage and there is no intention to change going forward) and the indicative cost range if possible? My inspector kept asking me to undertake remedial work with them but does not provide any quotation so they can issue a clean report and I  can’t really understand what are being said in several messages above (pardon my ignorance). Many thanks 

  • It is not the lights themselves that require the RCD so the type doesn't matter.

    It is the circuit of a bathroom that might need the RCD..

Reply
  • It is not the lights themselves that require the RCD so the type doesn't matter.

    It is the circuit of a bathroom that might need the RCD..

Children
  • Thanks - to summarise:

    1) any bathroom lighting circuit needs to have either RCD protection or supplemental bonding. There are no exception to the rule even if low voltage lights are in place and the flat is built 15 years ago and potentially there may be mitigating measures in place to support why no supplemental bonding is in place ( I can’t tell whether there is or not). Correct?

    2) Therefore the key is to establish whether there is supplemental bonding in the bathroom lighting circuit as it is not rcd protected. And I don’t have a clue whether there is or not - the inspector claimed there isn’t based on visual inspection alone. I’m checking with my management office to see if they have any clues. Meanwhile can kind souls enlighten me as to how inspectors typically check this point if supplemental bonding is not visible outside? Can they just assume there isn’t as long as they can’t see with their eyes?

    3) Nothwithstanding point 2, what potential options I have to remedy the RCD protection for bathroom? Time is bad now so I am afraid I really can’t afford something expensive but still I don’t want to be pound foolish and risk having to come back at fixing things later on. So can someone be kind enough to tell me say 1-3 options, rough estimate and how best to get reliable engineers to do the work?

    Many, many thanks. I’m really grateful because you guys are so ready to help shed lights on these matters (I have zero knowledge and had to do a lot of reading to gain a bit of understanding). Thanks again