Guide to bathroom building regulations UK

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vintage bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the home, so it needs to be functional, warm, easy to clean, and attractive. Before you begin to plan a new bathroom refurbishment, you need to make sure your plans meet current UK building regulations designed to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of all homes.

Here’s a guide to the relevant building regulations for bathroom refurbishment:

Part H – Drainage and waste disposal regulations

Building regulations part H refers to the drainage and waste disposal guidelines that must meet in the UK. It states who must provide adequate drainage systems and highlight the importance of pollution prevention, working sewage infrastructure, and sewerage maintenance. Part H building regulations also cover important technical design standards, such as rainwater drainage, cesspools, and internal sanitary pipework.

It’s essential that your bathroom plumbing is installed correctly for safety and hygiene reasons, so hire a qualified plumber for this work. They will adhere to building regulations, including making sure waste pipes and drainage run downhill from the appliance to the outlet. The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme also applies to bathroom plumbing; that devised the regulations to prevent water wastage, misuse, and contamination.

Part F – Ventilation

Ventilation is essential in moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms to prevent damp and mold, which can harm properties and health. Building regulations state that which must ventilate bathrooms via a window or extractor fan – you may want to use both.

  • A new bathroom should have a fan that extracts at a rate of at least 15 liters per minute and continues to run for 15 minutes after the light has been switched off.
  • Door undercuts have to be 10mm above the floor finish where floor finish is fitted, or 20mm undercut above any other surface where the finish has not been fitted.
  • Windows with less than 15 degrees of opening are not suitable for certain types of ventilation.

Part P – Electrical safety laws

building regulations for bathroom

Water and faulty electrics can be a lethal combination, which is why it’s illegal to carry out electrical work in the bathroom unless you are a qualified electrician registered with an approved scheme like the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Part P ensures that all household electrics are installed safely; rules for bathroom electrics specify the maximum voltage levels for different areas in the bathroom and state that light switches should be pull cord operated or located outside the bathroom.

Part A – Structural safety regulations

It’s necessary to look at the structural safety of your bathroom, especially if you are extensively refurbishing or building a new room from scratch. You would need to make sure, for instance, that the floor is structurally secure enough to hold your bathroom suite and a full bathtub.

Do I comply with the latest building regulations for bathrooms?

If you are unsure whether your new structure complies with the bathroom building regulations, always seek advice from a professional bathroom installation company. Ensure that you ask for references and insurance credentials from all contractors before you hire and get at least three quotes for the work. If you want more inspiration on bathroom design, take a look at our expert tips here.