Illegal light in bathroom?

[Papaleekie]

My daughter viewed a house to rent, the bathroom light was a simple batten holder with an exposed bulb. As there is a shower in the bath she asked the agent showing her around whether or not this lighting was legal. He said it was.
My feeling is that the light should be fully enclosed to meet current regs.
Who's right?

[redman41]

As long as the Switch is Pullcord there should be no problem

[craft1948]

I had an exposed bulb light in the bathroom of my last house, no-one ever commented on it, even when I sold the house.

[annie0000]

I have lights like that in all my bathrooms and the house is only 9 years old. There may be new regs saying that they have to be different now, but these don't tend to apply retrospectively.

[didoatwork]

I've just moved and my electrician was not happy with the fitting. It had a pull cord, but was exposed, like yours. Now replaced with an enclosed light.

[sir.prize]

Surely these exposed bathroom bulbs are not all illegal?

http://www.google.co....4&tbm=shop&prmd=imvns

[didoatwork]

Sir Prize, I think it is if you can get hold of the bulb.
If it is flush with the casing then it is ok. That's what I believe to be the case.

[redcrx]

i had a bathroom with an exposed light and a switch. bathroom here has exposed light with a built in heater too.

[redman41]

No sensible person is going to touch the Bulb when getting out of the Bath or Shower. The safety aspect is the Switch itself.

[Papaleekie]

sir.prize; I think you may find that the bulbs in those fittings are not exposed, they have a glass shield, similar to one a friend has in his bathroom.

[vulcan]

this is still legal.
http://www.tlc-direct...cts/size_3/HES451.JPG

[didoatwork]

Redman, I'm inclined to think H & S have gone mad!

[didoatwork]

Vulcan, I am surprised. I stand corrected. My electrician may have been over zealous!

[Papaleekie]

17th edition regs are currently in force, and though perhaps not retrospective, am I correct to understand that the current regs apply with any new rental of a property?

[mumsie_wumsie]

I have recently had new shower and new wiring in my bathroom. The electrician changed my light fittings to an enclosed fitting. He said this was normal to do now due to new regs.

[The Builder]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the exact siting of the light. For electrical purposes, bathrooms are divided into Zones.
Over the bath is Zone 1, and the light must be suitable for this location.
Otherwise, in general, regular fittings are OK.

As far as I know, 17th Edition Regs are not retrospective for new rentals. If they were, the whole bathroom would be protected by an RCD (earth trip), which would be even better.

[bigbadmarty]

the safety aspect of light bulbs in a bathroom imho is insignificant compared to the danger of naked flame candles in contact with plastic sanitary wares

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If the lampholder is higher than 2.25m from the floor then it need not be IP rated......HOWEVER all installed equipment must be suited to the environment. I agree that most people wont mess with a lamp whilst its on, but the point most people miss is the lamp could shatter if splashed while you or the kids are in the bathroom...just think about it....and get it changed...for the sake of £20 quid