Bathroom lighting compliance is decided by geometry: how far the fitting is from the bath or shower, and at what height. This note explains the zone logic, what IP rating each zone needs, and the two details that cause most site failures — sealing and condensation.
The zones, in plain language
IEC 60364-7-701 divides a bathroom into zones by distance from the water source:
| Zone | Where | Minimum protection |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the bath or shower tray | IPX7, SELV ≤ 12V |
| Zone 1 | Above the bath/shower up to 2.25 m, and 1.2 m radius | IPX4 minimum (IPX5 in public/commercial), SELV preferred |
| Zone 2 | 0.6 m beyond zone 1, up to 2.25 m | IPX4 minimum |
| Outside zones | Beyond 0.6 m from zone 2 | No IP requirement; IP44 still sensible for condensation |
Simplified from IEC 60364-7-701. Local codes and hotel brand standards can be stricter.
A mirror light above a vanity is usually outside zone 2 — which is why “IP44 required” on a mirror drawing is often a brand standard rather than a code requirement. Specify IP44 anyway in hotel bathrooms: steam, cleaning chemicals and condensation are real even outside the zone.
Where SELV makes the difference
SELV (≤ 12V AC / 30V DC) is the only way to put a fitting inside zone 0, and the practical way to light inside a shower niche in zone 1. It does not make a fitting waterproof on its own: the IP rating still has to match the zone, and the driver must be installed outside the zone or in a suitably rated enclosure.
For mirror lighting, 24V backlit panels are common and easy to certify as Class III. The weak point is the connector behind the mirror — specify an IP67 connector, not a bare 2-pin, because that joint sits in the wettest air in the room.
Mirror lights: the details that fail inspection
- No gasket between mirror and wall. Moisture migrates behind the mirror and attacks the silvering from the edge — the classic brown edge after 18 months.
- Cable entry without a gland. Water tracks along the cable into the driver compartment.
- Driver inside the mirror cavity with no ventilation. Sealed and hot: the driver derates, then fails, then the whole mirror comes off the wall.
- Wrong fixing for the substrate. A 6 kg mirror on plasterboard with the supplied plugs will not survive a hotel's cleaning regime.
Height, reach and accessibility
In accessible rooms, the bottom edge of the mirror is typically set at ≤ 1015 mm (40 in) above finished floor, and controls must be reachable from a seated position. That usually forces the light to the top edge or the perimeter rather than an integrated switch on the mirror face. Check the brand's accessibility standard before fixing the mirror size — it changes the light layout, not just the mirror.
Chemicals and finishes
Hotel housekeeping uses alkaline and occasionally chlorine-based cleaners. Anodised aluminium survives; powder-coated white can chalk; chrome pitting is common on cheap plating. Specify the finish with a cleaning-chemical resistance statement, and avoid exposed brass in wet areas unless it is lacquered and the lacquer is warranted.
Specifier's checklist
- Zone drawing issued with the bathroom layout, not assumed
- IP rating matched to zone, plus IP44 as a hotel minimum outside zones
- SELV 24V and IP67 connectors for anything inside or near the shower
- Gasket behind the mirror and a gland at every cable entry
- Driver outside the wet zone or in a rated, ventilated enclosure
Questions we get asked
Is IP44 enough above a hotel vanity?
Does a mirror light need an earth?
Can I use a normal LED strip inside a shower niche?
What about steam rooms and spa areas?
Send the furniture drawing. We will answer with a lighting solution.
Cut-out drawings, photometric files and samples for the lines that fit your detail.
Request a Quote