The IP rating for a bathroom depends on the proximity of the electrical appliance to a water source or receptacle. The IP rating stands for "Ingress Protection rating" and is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electronic equipment. The IP rating is composed of two numbers, the first of which ranges from 0-6 and refers to the level of protection against solid foreign bodies such as dust, while the second ranges from 0-8 and indicates the level of protection against water. The bathroom can be divided into zones based on proximity to water sources, and each zone has a minimum IP rating requirement. The zones and their minimum IP rating requirements are:

• Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower requires a minimum rating of IP67 for protection against immersion.
• Zone 1: Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m requires a minimum rating of IP44 for protection against all solid objects and any splashing liquid.
• Zone 2: The area immediately surrounding the bath or shower requires a minimum rating of IPX4 for protection against splashing water.
• Zone 3: Anywhere outside zones 0, 1, and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating is required, but if there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purposes in zones 1, 2, and 3, a fitting rated a minimum IP65 must be used.

It is important to know the minimum IP rating required in the chosen zone to ensure that electrical appliances are fitted safely and legally in the bathroom.