When installing a bathroom fan in Zone 1, also known as the ‘Splash Zone’, what do electricians need to consider? Mick Daniels, Sales Director at National Ventilation, tells us more about the latest Zone 1 fans.
The essentials when selecting bathroom ventilation include ease of installation, reliability, quiet operation and good indoor air quality (IAQ), but what features help achieve these aims and what else can the latest fans offer? And when it comes to installing ventilation in the splash zone, what else need to be considered?
Installation
In smaller bathrooms or in a wet room there’s always potential for a fan to be splashed, so it’s essential to select a fan that is rated for this ‘Splash Zone’ area.
The 18th edition regulations gives guidance on the ingress protection (IP) rating fans need, with a minimum IP45 rating in Zone 1.
Fans such as the Monsoon Zone 1 Silence Range from National Ventilation achieve this rating without the need for a low voltage transformer and are protected from low pressure water jets.
To aid easy install in a small room a fan that is designed for wall, ceiling or window mounting is essential. Other features to look for when choosing a fan include a larger terminal block to make wiring easier; a spirit level bubble to ensure a straight install; and a choice of sizes.
Reliability is important too… Unnecessary call backs from customers not only cost time and money to fix, they also damage reputations. The Monsoon Zone 1 Silence Range addresses this with its reliable ball bearing motor service life of 40,000 hours and a five-year guarantee as well as being Part F and L compliant.
Household must-haves
Households also have a list of must-haves to consider with low noise levels and good IAQ at the top of the list.
But not all fans offer these together and if a noisy fan is turned off, condensation and mould can form, leading to poor IAQ. High extraction rates help improve IAQ but the challenge is ensuring the fan operates quietly.
For example, the Monsoon Zone 1 Silence Range improves IAQ and boasts an exceptionally quiet running volume as low as 22dB(A). It also features rubber anti-vibration mounts, designed for motor vibration absorption and noise insulation.
But noise and good IAQ are not all end-users desire.
Switched-on consumers also want low energy bills so electricians should look for energy efficient fans, such as the Zone 1 Monsoon Silence Range which features a low energy motor with a maximum consumption of 7.5W and a low SFP of 0.33w/l/s.
Choice in how a fan is triggered is also an attractive option for households.
There are a range of fan control options on offer, including basic and timer control as well as humidistats that react to changes in humidity or PIR sensors to identify room occupancy, allowing fans to be tailored to a households’ individual requirements.
And finally, aesthetics are increasingly important to consumers. Plastic can degrade and discolour over time and so the option of a casing and impeller made of durable high-quality UV-resistant plastic which will maintain its look over time is a great feature.
Alternatively, a chrome finish, available with Monsoon Zone 1 Silence range’s 100mm models, matches well with any modern interior.
So, if electricians select a fan that offers low noise, high extraction rates and low energy use as well as one that looks good and is safe, easy and practical to install in the splash zone, then they’ll be ticking all the right boxes when choosing a bathroom fan.
KEY FACTS: INSTALLING IN THE SPLASH ZONE
For further information on all products and services offered by National Ventilation visit: www.nationalventilation.co.uk
