AS/NZS 3000:2000
172
SECTION7REQUIREMENTSFOR
SPECIALELECTRICALINSTALLATIONS
ORLOCATIONS
NOTE: The particular requirements for each special electrical installation or
location in this Section 7 supplement or modify the general requirements of the
other Sections of this Standard.
7.1 LOCATIONS CONTAINING BATHS, SHOWERS OR OTHER FIXED
WATER CONTAINERS
7.1.1 Scope
The particular requirements of this Clause 7.1 apply to baths,
showers, other fixed water containers, and the surrounding zones
where the risk of electric shock is increased by a reduction in body
resistance and contact of the body with earth potential.
NOTES:
1 For locations containing baths for medical treatment, special requirements
may be necessary.
2 Electrical equipment installed behind a fixed panel to which access may only
be gained by the use of a tool would not be considered to be in a classified
zone.
7.1.2 Classification of zones
7.1.2.1 Baths and showers
The requirements for baths and showers are based on the dimensions of
the following four zones taking account of walls, ceilings (see note to
Clause 7.1.4), floors and barriers (such as screens, doors, curtains and
fixed partitions) which provide effective protection against spraying water
(examples are given in Figures 7.1A, and 7.1B):
(a) Zone 0 shall be the area of the interior of a bath or a shower base.
NOTE: A shower base may be defined by either a raised hob or a
depression in the floor.
(b) Zone 1 for a bath shall be the area limited by—
(i) the internal rim of the bath above Zone 0; and
(ii) the ceiling or the horizontal plane—
(A) in Australia, 2.5 m; or
(B) in New Zealand, 2.25 m or the height of the fixed plumbing
connection, whichever is the higher;
above the floor, whichever is the lower.
Zone 1, for a bath with a shower, shall be extended to the parallel
vertical plane 1.2 m radius from the shower fixed plumbing connection.
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NOTE: A barrier of a height of 1.8 m or the height at which the shower
connection is made to the fixed plumbing, whichever is the greater, may be
used to reduce the 1.2 m dimension.
(c) Zone 1 for a shower shall be the area limited by—
(i) the parallel vertical plane 1.2 m radius from the shower fixed
plumbing connection; and
NOTE: A barrier of a height of 1.8 m or the height at which the shower
connection is made to the fixed plumbing, whichever is the greater,
may be used to reduce the 1.2 m dimension.
(ii) the floor and the ceiling or the horizontal plane—
(A) in Australia, 2.5 m; or
(B) in New Zealand, 2.25 m or the height of the fixed plumbing
connection, whichever is the higher;
above the floor, whichever is the lower.
(d) Zone 2 shall be the area limited by—
(i) the vertical plane external to Zone 1 and the parallel vertical
plane 0.6 m external to Zone 1; and
(ii) the floor and the horizontal plane 2.25 m above the floor.
(e) Zone 3 shall be the area limited by—
(i) the vertical plane external to Zone 2 and the parallel vertical
plane 2.4 m external to Zone 2; and
(ii) the floor and the ceiling or the horizontal plane—
(A) in Australia, 2.5 m; or
(B) in New Zealand, 2.25 m;
above the floor, whichever is the lower.
In addition, Zone 3 includes the area above Zone 2 up to the ceiling or
the height of Zone 1 above the floor, whichever is the lower.
NOTE: The zones do not extend beyond the boundaries of the room.
7.1.2.2 Other fixed water containers
The requirements for fixed water containers other than baths and showers
are based on the dimensions of the following two zones (examples are
given in Figure 7.1C):
(a) Zone 0 shall be the area of the interior of the water container.
(b) Zone 2 shall be—
(i) for individual water containers with a capacity not exceeding
45 L, the area limited by—
(A) the vertical plane 0.15 m from the internal rim of the water
container; and
(B) the floor and the horizontal plane 0.4 m above the water
container; and
NOTE: Figure 7.1C(a) shows a typical double bowl sink where the capacity
of each container does not exceed 45 L.
(ii) for water containers with a capacity exceeding 45 L, the area
limited by—
(A) the vertical plane 0.5 m from the internal rim of the water
container; and
(B) the floor and the horizontal plane 1.0 m above the water
container.
NOTES:
1 There are no Zones 1 or 3 associated with these water containers.
2 The zones do not extend beyond the boundaries of the room.
7.1.3 Protection against electric shock — Prohibited measures
The following measures of protection against electric shock shall be
prohibited:
(a) Protection by means of obstacles in accordance with Clause 1.7.3.5.
(b) Protection by placing out of reach in accordance with Clause 1.7.3.6.
7.1.4 Selection and installation of electrical equipment
NOTES:
1 Electrical equipment recessed into a ceiling such that all live parts are above
the lower surface of the ceiling is considered to be outside any zone
immediately below the ceiling.
2 Guidance on the selection and installation of electrical equipment is provided
in Table 7.1.
7.1.4.1 Degree of protection required
Electrical equipment permitted to be installed in a classified zone shall have
at least the following degree of protection:
(a) In Zone 0: IPX7.
(b) In Zones 1 and 2: IPX5 in communal baths/showers; IPX4 in other
locations.
(c) In Zone 3: IPX5 in communal baths/showers; no specific degree of
protection in other locations.
(d) In New Zealand, IPX4 for luminaires above Zones 1 and 2 installed
below a height of 3 m.
7.1.4.2 Socket-outlets
Socket-outlets shall not be installed within 0.3 m of the floor of a bathroom,
laundry or other similar location where the floor is likely to become wet.
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In addition, and regardless of the degree of protection provided by the
equipment, the following conditions shall apply to the installation of socketoutlets
in the classified zones:
(a) In Zones 0 and 1 socket-outlets shall not be permitted.
(b) In Zone 2, socket-outlets shall not be permitted unless they—
(i) have automatic switching and are incorporated in a shaver supply
unit complying with AS/NZS 3194; or
(ii) are protected by a RCD with a maximum rated residual current of
30 mA; and
(iii) are enclosed in a cupboard provided that the enclosure is
maintained during the normal operation of the connected
equipment.
(c) In Zone 3, socket-outlets shall not be permitted unless they are —
(i) protected by a RCD with a maximum rated residual current of
30 mA; or
(ii) supplied individually as a separated circuit in accordance with
Clause 1.7.4.5; or
(iii) supplied as a SELV or PELV system in accordance with
Clause 7.7.
7.1.4.3 Switches and other accessories
Switches and other accessories shall not be installed within 0.3 m of the
floor of a bathroom, laundry or other similar location where the floor is likely
to become wet.
In addition the following conditions shall apply to the installation of switches
and other accessories in the classified zones:
(a) In Zone 0, switches and other accessories shall not be permitted.
(b) In Zones 1 and 2, switches and other accessories with at least the
required degree of protection shall be permitted.
7.1.4.4 Luminaires
The following shall apply to the installation of luminaires in classified zones:
(a) In Zone 0, luminaires with the required degree of protection shall be
permitted where they are—
(i) specifically intended for use in a bath, shower or water container;
and
(ii) supplied as an SELV or PELV system in accordance with
Clause 7.7 except that—
(A) the nominal voltage shall not exceed 12 V a.c. or 30 V
ripple-free d.c.; and
(B) the supply source shall be installed outside Zone 0.
(b) In Zones 1, 2 and 3, luminaires with at least the required degree of
protection shall be permitted.
(c) In Zone 2, regardless of the degree of protection, luminaires—
(i) of Class II construction (double or reinforced insulation) which
require the removal of a cover to access lamps; or
(ii) supplied as a SELV or PELV system in accordance with
Clause 7.7 except that the supply source shall be installed
outside Zone 2;
shall be permitted.
NOTE: A batten holder is not a Class II luminaire.
7.1.4.5 Other electrical equipment
The following shall apply to the installation of appliances and other
electrical equipment in classified zones:
(a) In Zone 0, electrical equipment with the required degree of protection
shall be permitted where it is —
(i) specifically intended for use in a bath, shower or water
container; and
(ii) supplied as an SELV or PELV system in accordance with
Clause 7.7 except that—
(A) the nominal voltage shall not exceed 12 V a.c. or 30 V
ripple-free d.c.; and
(B) the supply source shall be installed outside Zone 0.
(b) In Zones 1, 2 and 3, electrical equipment with at least the required
degree of protection shall be permitted.
Heating cable systems intended for heating the location and which are
embedded in the floor and protected in accordance with Clause 4.3.8.5,
shall be permitted.
7.1.4.6 Switchboards
Switchboards shall be installed in appropriate locations in accordance with
Clause 2.9.8.