Bathroom Electrical Zones: What Can Go Where Near a Bath or Shower
Want a light over the mirror, a heated towel rail or a socket for a hairdryer, and not sure what is allowed near the bath or shower? This guide explains what the bathroom zones are for, where sockets, lights and pull cords can go, and what to check before adding anything electrical.
Send a photo of the bathroom and say what you would like to add.
Why bathrooms have extra electrical rules
Water and electricity are a bad mix, and a bathroom is where they meet. Electrical Safety First explains that wet skin lowers the body’s resistance, which makes an electric shock in a bathroom more likely and more serious.
Electrical Safety First also says there are special requirements for electrical installations in bathrooms, as most electrical work must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, and advises using a registered electrician for any electrical installation work you need.
What the zones are for
The zones are a way of describing how close something is to the bath or shower. The closer it is, the stricter the rules on what can go there. Electrical Safety First measures its socket rule from the edge of the bath or shower tray, which it calls zone 1.
The exact zone boundaries, and what each fitting must be rated for, are set out in the wiring regulations. Checking them against your room is part of the electrician’s job, so you do not need to measure anything yourself.
Sockets, shaver points and extension leads
Ordinary sockets. Electrical Safety First says sockets are not allowed in bathrooms or shower rooms unless they can be fitted at least 2.5 metres from the edge of a bath or shower tray. In a smaller bathroom there may be nowhere that far away.
Shaver points. These are the exception. Electrical Safety First says shaver points are allowed within 2.5 metres if they are the type made for bathrooms, and it names the safety standards they must meet.
Extension leads. If there is no socket, do not run an extension lead in to power something in the bathroom. Electrical Safety First says this increases the risk of an electric shock.
Lights, pull cords, mirrors and heaters
Ceiling lights. Electrical Safety First says enclosed ceiling lights are preferable to ones that hang down, and that any light that is not enclosed should be out of reach of someone using the bath or shower, or still wet from it.
Pull-cord switches. A ceiling-mounted pull cord is a better option than a wall switch because of damp and wet hands. That is why pull cords are so common in bathrooms.
Illuminated mirrors, heaters and towel rails. These are usually wired in rather than plugged in, so fitting one is electrical installation work. Where it can go depends on how close it sits to the bath or shower and what it is rated for.
New bathroom lights are covered under lighting installation, and bathroom fans under extractor fan installation.
Electric showers and RCD protection
Electrical Safety First says an electric shower must be installed by a registered competent electrician and supplied on its own circuit, and that all circuits in or passing through bathrooms and shower rooms are now required to be protected by an RCD.
If a shower has stopped working or keeps tripping, the electric shower not working guide explains what it can mean.
Bathroom jobs AJS has done
Checkatrade reviews for AJS include bathroom pull cords and ceiling lights, a towel warmer, a pull-cord heater, a razor point and underfloor heating in a bathroom redesign. When a whole bathroom is being planned or refitted, kitchen and bathroom electrics covers the work.
Every review here is copied word for word from Checkatrade. You can read the full list on Checkatrade and Google.
A light and pull cord after a DIY attempt
“Alex fitted a replacement light and pull cord in my bathroom after I had struggled to replace it myself. He called me to arrange an appointment after I made an enquiry on checkatrade. The job was booked in and completed on time. The quality of the work was excellent. The service was both friendly and professional. I would recommend Alex for any job and will contact him for future work. Thank you.”
Checkatrade review, fit replacement light and pull cord, CR3
Downlights and a pull cord
“Polite and efficient service. Very prompt response, full explanation of requirements and estimate given. Would recommend.”
Checkatrade review, replace and fit 4 ceiling downlights and lights pull cord in bathroom, RH8
A heater for a cold bathroom
“Alex did such a great job installing complimentary heating in the bathroom extension. As the extension is above the garage is very cold, my daughter comes back from uni in the winter refusing to use her bathroom!! So Alex installed a Dimplex pull cord heater for me, which my daughter can use when she needs it to supplement the towel radiator. All the cables were run from bedroom to the bathroom in some channels Alex needed to cut into the wall. I’m very happy with the work and results. I needed to redecorate the bedroom but that was expected so I planned for it after Alex finished.”
Checkatrade review, bathroom heater, KT19
A towel warmer
“Super quick, efficient time keeping, very informative, so friendly, amazing job done!”
Checkatrade review, installing new towel warmer in bathroom, KT5
Underfloor heating in a bathroom redesign
“Alex did a great job installing a fused spur into my bathroom redesign then connecting the newly installed underfloor heating. He arrived to quote the day after I got in touch with him squeezing me in on his way home. He’s friendly and polite, his work was neat, quick and he worked around the other trades already working on the job. He arrived on time, tidied up after himself and charged as quoted. Would recommend to anyone and will definitely use again for future electrical work.”
Checkatrade review, fused spur and underfloor heating in bathroom redesign, RH1
A razor point
“The work was done efficiently and with good humour. A pleasant workman to have on site.”
Checkatrade review, replacement razor point fitted in the bathroom
Common questions
Can i put a socket in my bathroom?
Only if it can be fitted at least 2.5 metres from the edge of the bath or shower tray, according to Electrical Safety First. Closer than that, a shaver point made for bathrooms is the option it allows.
Do i need a pull-cord switch?
Electrical Safety First says a ceiling-mounted pull cord is a better option than a wall switch in a bathroom, because of damp and wet hands. Where a switch can go depends on the room, and an electrician will check it.
Can i put an illuminated mirror near the shower?
It depends on how close it would sit to the bath or shower and what the mirror is rated for. It is wired in, so it is installation work for a registered electrician, who will check the position before fitting it.
Can i use an extension lead in the bathroom?
No. Electrical Safety First says not to use extension leads to power appliances in a bathroom, as it increases the risk of an electric shock.
What should i send?
A photo of the bathroom showing the bath or shower and where you would like the new item, a note of what you want to add, and a photo of the fuse box if you can.
Adding something to your bathroom?
Send a photo of the room on WhatsApp with a note of what you would like, or call. It is the same process whichever of the electrical services available you need.