Electricity in Bathrooms

Since you have no other reply, I'll guess that it's because no-one has yet tested a washing machine for ingress protection.

It's an interesting question though. I hope someone has a more knowledgeable reply.

From the horse's mouth:

"Washing machines and tumble dryers may be installed in a bathroom provided they are:

• supplied from a switched fused flex outlet installed outside the zones (socket outlets are only allowed 3 m horizontally from the boundary of zone 1);
• protected by a 30 mA RCD;
• and permitted for such installation by the manufacturer."

It's the last one that's likely to give you trouble - unless the manufacturer says it's OK in a bathroom, then it's not allowed.

Mike

If the manufacturer *doesn't* say it's *not* suitable, then it's allowed?

Or does such permission have to be actively given?

Owain

Yes. They'd last far better in some outside damp utility room.

I'd guess my kitchen has at least as 'unfriendly' atmospheric conditions as my bathroom. The tiles certainly need cleaning more frequently.

If it's ok in a kitchen, it's ok in a bathroom. Both are equally damp and wet and steamy.

Ignore them and fit it yourself afterwards.

I have never lived in a house that has a damp, wet and steamy kitchen.

Splashing while filling pots from the sink is possible. Steam from pans and kettles is possible, Just like a bathroom.

I think the problem is the control panel switches on the washing machine.

When I first rented villas I was surprised to see washing machines in bathrooms - but if there is space it makes more sense than a kitchen. Pants down - in the washer.

Boilers are allowed in a bathroom as long as they are in a cupboard with doors.

They don't explicitly. They did (until recently) forbid sockets - now they are permitted but only in very large rooms since they need to be 3m outside of zone 1.

That's usually the approach. However any appliance in a bathroom also needs to be "appropriate" for the installation location. Not all bathrooms are created equal. One that frequently gets wet from steam / spray would be less suitable than one that remains ostensibly dry.

Seems a bit off a dirty idea to me, having it near a toilet. But I guess a shower is there too.

Won't these be the same washing machines that they fit in bathrooms across the rest of the EU?

The same apart from theirs having silly plugs on:-)

AFAIK IP ratings do not apply to items outside of zone 2.

If boilers are allowed in cupboards then washing machines can also , IMO. They both have control panels.

You have a point as I was told this over Christmas.

Lou "Adam, don't you ever again take your clothes off in my kitchen, dump them on the floor and then walk naked past my me and parents[1] saying "the washer need putting on I'm going for a bath""

Got yerself a young un have you?

Is there a pressure washer which Lou knows how to use? If yes, I think you were very lucky indeed not to have experienced a much more eye-watering response to your exhortation.