Washer / Drier In Bathroom

[merylpeep]

I believe there are restrictions on having electrical devices in bathrooms. Do UK laws allow a washing-machine and tumble drier to be in a bathroom?

[The Builder]

Yes, that's allowed now, Meryl, but ONLY under certain conditions.

The circuits in the bathroom must be protected by an RCD (commonly known as a trip.)
Also, any socket must be 3 metres away from the "Zones" that surround baths/showers etc.

[VHG]

>>>3 metres

Which is about 9 feet so you need a pretty big bathroom !

[merylpeep]

Yes, that might work for the other Meryl but not this one

[The Builder]

I should make this a bit clearer, Meryl. It's not the actual appliance that's the problem, it's the socket.
Sockets should be minimum 3 metres etc. It has been known for machines to be in a bathroom, but hard-wired into a fused spur, or plugged into a different room with a long lead, and a small hole in the wall.

The RCD bit does apply though if it's a fused spur. The Regulations don't actually rule on one being plugged into a different room.

So much grey area here. Most Electricians disagree over interpretation. That's why they invariably "play safe" and refuse to do it.

This would legally be notifiable though. It just means a Certified electrician is needed. I would certainly consult one though, if you want to go ahead. It would need a visit. That's why I can't be certain on here.

[Sparkles62]

I have never heard of any law that bans you from having electrical devices in a bathroom,
I have stayed in some very upmarket hotels that have had tv's in the bathroom.

[boxtops]

Don't they usually say that the devices shouldn't be able to be accessed while you're wet, e.g. in the bath?

I know you're not supposed to have any plugs or switches in the bathroom (unless you have a massive area) other than shaver sockets and pull cords.

[Prudie]

As builder says sparkles, it's not the appliance but how they are plugged in. Those TVs must have been hard-wired.

[LCDMAN]

Not just hard-wired Prudie, built fully waterproof, built in units specifically fit for purpose. http://tilevision.tv/

[Prudie]

I admit I know nothing of the electrics LCDMAN just knew, from builder's post, that there are obviously ways to do it :-)

[Sparkles62]

The last one was the Hotel 51 in London, the bathroom was enormous, you could have lived in it, never mind bathed in it , Lol. X