Bathroom & Kitchen Zones
Bathrooms and kitchens have special rules under BS 7671. Water and electricity are a lethal combination — the regulations define zones that restrict what can be installed where.
Bathroom Zones
| Zone | Location | IP Rating | Sockets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside bath/shower | IPX7 | No |
| Zone 1 | Above bath, up to 2.25m | IPX4 | No |
| Zone 2 | 0.6m outside Zone 1 | IPX4 | No (shavers: SELV only) |
| Outside zones | Rest of bathroom | — | Yes (shaver socket only) |
No standard 13A sockets are permitted anywhere in a bathroom.
Kitchen Rules
All electrical work in a kitchen is notifiable. Additional rules:
- Sockets must be at least 300mm horizontally from a sink
- Any socket within reach of a water source should be on an RCD-protected circuit
- Underfloor heating, extractor fans, and cooker circuits must be notifiable
Part P Reminder
Any electrical work in a bathroom or kitchen is notifiable under Part P — even replacing a like-for-like fitting. Always use a registered electrician or notify building control.