Bathroom Downlights: IP Ratings and Zones Explained

Bathroom lights have to cope with steam, splashes and sometimes a direct jet of water. The IP rating tells you how well a fitting is sealed, and UK wiring regulations set a minimum for each part of the room.

What an IP rating means

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first digit is protection against dust and solid objects, the second is protection against water.

• IP44: protected against splashes from any direction.
• IP54: splash-proof, with added dust protection.
• IP65: dust-tight and protected against water jets.
• IP67: can be immersed in water for a short time.

The bathroom zones

• Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower tray itself. Fittings here must be low voltage and at least IP67.
• Zone 1 is the space directly above the bath or shower, up to 2.25 m from the floor. The minimum is IP44, and IP65 is the sensible choice because of shower spray.
• Zone 2 extends 0.6 m beyond the edge of the bath or shower, to the same height. The minimum is IP44.
• Outside the zones there is no set IP requirement, although a splash-proof fitting is still a good idea in a steamy room.

Which rating to choose

• Directly over a shower or bath: IP65.
• Elsewhere on a bathroom ceiling: IP44 or IP54 is enough. Many people fit IP65 throughout so every light matches.
• Wet rooms and steam showers: IP65 throughout.
• Exterior soffits and porches: IP65.

Other things to check

• Fire rating. If there is a habitable room above, the ceiling may need fire-rated downlights or fire hoods. Check with your electrician or building control.
• Colour quality. A bathroom mirror is where skin tones matter. CRI 90 or higher gives a far more natural reflection.
• Glare. You look up more in a bath than anywhere else in the house. A recessed, low-glare fitting is more comfortable.
• Dimming. A dimmable circuit lets the same lights work for a bright morning and a relaxed evening bath.

Bathroom electrical work in the UK is notifiable, so use a qualified electrician who can confirm the zones in your room.

Bathroom downlights from Maison Billions

See our bathroom and wet area downlights, including the IP65 MNBS1721 mini downlight. The Downlight Finder filters the range by room.