Even the NICEIC get it wrong…

I called at the NICEIC website the other day and noticed this little error…

It’s on one of their downloadable ‘Householder Factsheets’ regarding bathrooms

Electrical sockets are now permitted in bathrooms or shower rooms as long as they are located more than 3m from the edge of the bath or shower. Specially designed shaver units are an exception to this rule and can be located slightly nearer, but still no closer than 600mm from the bath or shower.

Saying that specially designed shaver units should be no closer than 600mm from the bath or shower is incorrect.

BS7671: 701.512.3 page 201

In Zone 2: switchgear, accessories incorporating switches or socket-outlets shall not be installed with the exception of:

(ii) shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5

– As Zone 2 covers a distance horizontally up to 600mm from the edge of the bath or shower then it follows that you can have a shaver unit closer than 600mm from the edge of the bath or shower.

The NICEIC are a very helpful ‘non profit making consumer protection organisation, hell bent on global domination’. And their publications are usually spot on and very useful, they do however sometimes get it wrong. 🙂

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