Bathroom Zones The Australia and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3000:2018 identifies the zones in a bathroom and the IP rating required for electrical items installed in each zone. This clause confirms facilities for personal hygiene are provided to safeguard from illness caused by infection or contamination. Its requirements protect against loss of amenity and allow people with disabilities to carry out normal activities.
It sets requirements about privacy and the numbers and location of sanitary fixtures. Discharge to a plumbing and drainage system is required by. Zone 1 The area of this zone is directly above the bath and shower (to a height of 2.25m from the floor), all light fittings must be at least IP44.
To keep things simple, NZ regulations divide the various areas in a bathroom into zones. Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower area - No electrical equipment should be installed in this area unless specially designed to be submerged, such as waterproof lighting. The Australia and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3000:2018 identifies the zones in a bathroom and the IP rating required for electrical items installed in each zone.
BATHROOM ZONING Bathroom Zoning is linked to Ingress Protection (IP). The purpose is to ensure fittings have the correct protection against water. This is split into zones Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower.
These must be SELV (Low voltage i.e. 12V Max). Minimum IP rating IPx7 (IP67) Zone 1: Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.85m.
Electrical Safety in bathrooms divides into four zones. In Zone '0' which defines being within in the sink bowl, bath tub or shower bowl any electrical appliance must be IP67 (full immersion capable) and low voltage. Zone 1 is the splash zone above a bath or within a shower enclosure and extends from the floor to 2.25m up the walls.
Zone 0: Inside the bath or on the shower base - no towel rails or electrical fittings may be installed. Zone 1: The area directly above the bath or inside a shower enclosure, up to 2.25 m high. Products here must be low-voltage (12 V) and rated IP44 or higher.
Zone 2: The area within 600 mm of a bath, shower, or basin. For electrical fittings the bathroom is divided into zones into by the NZ Electrical Code of Practice as in diagrams below. IP ratings required explained.
Bathroom Zoning Now that you know what an IP rating means, it's time to understand how it applies to bathrooms. According to AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and building regulations, bathrooms are divided into four distinct zones. These zones help determine the type of lighting and fixtures that are safe to install, based on their exposure to moisture.