DB above jacuzzi

[Dave A]

We have a situation - an indoor jacuzzi has a distribution board above it (see the photo).



Can the db be there?

And if it can, what IP rating would be required?

[ians]

A friday funny ...let me go get my popcorn.

[Derlyn]

We have a situation - an indoor jacuzzi has a distribution board above it (see the photo).

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Can the db be there?

Hi Dave

Couldn't give a quick answer but after checking the regs and for Ian's entertainment, I found the following.

Firstly, I think we can agree that the jacuzzi is what is referred to in the regulations as a spa.

The room that the jacuzzi is situated in, is a bathroom according to the definition.
Definition 3.6 Bathroom ... a room that contains a bath, shower or spa.

The regulations for a bathroom thus apply.

Table 7.1 shows that distribution boards are only allowed outside zone 3.

The DB board in the photo is in zone 1, so it is illegal and must be moved.


Cheers and peace out ... Derek


Added this morning .....

Reg 7.1.4.3.6

If a distribution board is installed in a room that contains a fixed bath or shower, it shall be outside zone 3 AND the enclosure shall have a degree of protection of IPX5.

[GCE]

Hi

If I look at the Jacuzzi , there is no water in it - So if there are no pumps connected could it not be regarded as a sunken sitting area , and then there would be no need to do anything.

The next person that connects pumps then makes it a Jacuzzi and would have to go the whole 9 yards

[Dave A]

If I look at the Jacuzzi , there is no water in it - So if there are no pumps connected could it not be regarded as a sunken sitting area

No such luck with this one, I'm afraid. It may have been drained on the day, but it is fully functional.

[Derlyn]

Hi Dave

It would be interesting to know what the solution was.

Had I come across this, I would have quoted to turn the DB around and let it face the room behind it. Plaster closed on the jacuzzi side, unless of course the room on the other side of the wall is the "real" bathroom, then you have a serious situation.

Cheers and peace out ... Derek

[ians]

Common sense would tell me to move the DB regards of the regs.

In reality the first thing i would do is determine the zone and then look at the relevant specs.

I have a socket outlet in my bathroom... visitors sometimes ask about it because i am an electrician and they have always been told no 230 VAC socket outlets in the bathroom..it is in the correct zone and suitably protected.

[Derlyn]

Common sense would tell me to move the DB regards of the regs.

In reality the first thing i would do is determine the zone and then look at the relevant specs.

I have a socket outlet in my bathroom... visitors sometimes ask about it because i am an electrician and they have always been told no 230 VAC socket outlets in the bathroom..it is in the correct zone and suitably protected.

My favourite T shirt.

[Dave A]

Had I come across this, I would have quoted to turn the DB around and let it face the room behind it. Plaster closed on the jacuzzi side, unless of course the room on the other side of the wall is the "real" bathroom, then you have a serious situation.

Our first thought too. As luck would have it, the other side of the wall is a bathroom

To add to the problem, this jacuzzi is in an open plan space that includes the lounge and kitchen.

At the end of the day, either the jacuzzi moves or the db moves... We are trying to arrange an onsite meeting with the purchaser to see if we can get agreement on a solution.

[Derlyn]

Thanks Dave

Challenges like this one are interesting and is what keeps me going.

A couple of thoughts:

If the DB was turned around facing the bathroom next door, would it still be inside Zone 3 in the bathroom ?
If outside zone 3, one could turn it around and replace it with an IPX5 DB.

Interesting is the fact that a room in which there is only a toilet or a toilet and washbasin is not defined as a bathroom.
A DB would be allowed in such a room.

Good luck

Cheers and peace out ... Derek