 Bathroom
Lighting location is crucial partly because of the potential
safety hazards, but also because many of the bathroom surface finishes
are very reflective. Crisp, low-voltage halogen bathroom lighting
reflects particularly well off these surfaces, and its success has
given rise to a range of new bathroom lighting techniques. Instead
of a regular grid of downlights in the ceiling, you could consider
locating the lights directly over your basin and bath; when they are
filled, a wonderful pattern of rippling water will be reflected across
the ceiling. If you do not want downlights directly overhead and the
bath is against a wall, you could position a series of small low-voltage
downlights in the ceiling, approximately 100mm (4in) from the wall.
This will create a beautiful scalloped pattern, suggesting water streaming
down the tiles, and is also a good way of lighting a shower unit.
Bathroom lighting underneath
the bath, it can appear almost to float. A soft ropelight, concealed
beneath the bath surround will give a continuous soft, even glow
and could almost be used as a nightlight because of its low brightness.
Alternatively, a small spotlight could be recessed around the base
of the bath to skim out across the floor in strong shafts of light.
This is a dramatic effect, which can look magnificent in a modern
bathroom. To successfully achieve this lighting effect, it is essential
that you use a fully sealed low-voltage baffled light of no more
than 12w 12v; any higher and the heat of the fitting could scald
your feet.
 If
your basin is made of glass, recessing an uplight below it creates
a stunning effect, making the basin appear to be lit internally.
This will need to be balanced by a downlight or your face will appear
rather ghostly. The uplight should be fully sealed and the beam
of the lamp wide enough to ensure maximum coverage of the glass
bowl itself.
If you control each bathroom
lighting area separately it will be more adaptable to your changing
needs. Dimming your lights will make it work at all times of the
day from the 'full on' effect in the morning to the soft, subdued
effect in the evening, which you may wish to combine with candles.
The position of dimmer switches depends on the local regulations
of the country and should be checked before wiring to the inside
or outside of the bathroom. In the UK, switches must be placed outside
your bathroom unless you choose to have a pull-cord inside the bathroom.
The main problem with pull-cords is that they cannot be dimmed and,
if you have more than one switchline for your different techniques,
you will need two or three pull-cords, which is both impractical
and unattractive. Before planning any work in the bathroom it is
best to consult a professional electrician regarding safety regulations.
| Bathroom lighting Regulations
(IP rating = ingress protection rating) |
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All bathroom lighting installations must comply to guidelines
which are based on a zonal concept similar to that used for
the installation of lighting around swimming pools.
Each zone rating (IP) is determined
by the degree of risk of electric shock.
Zone 0
This is the area inside the bath or shower basin and is rated
at IPx7.
Zone 1
Refers to the area above the bath or shower up to a height
of 2.25 metres and carries a minimumrating of IPx4.
Zone 2
Covers an area 0.6 metres wide immediately next to, and all
around zone 1, plus the area over 2.5 metres high directly
over the bath or shower. Wash basins should also be treated
as zone 2. The minimum rating her is IPx4.
Where water jets are likely to be used for cleaining purposes
in zones 1 and 2, the rating is a minimum IPx5.
Zone 3
Has no special requirements, unless water jets are likely
to be used for cleaning purposes.
Equipment installed outside zones 0,1,2 and 3 must be suitable
for the conditions most likely to prevail at that particular
point. |
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