Why do most of the bathrooms in the UK have pull string light switches inside the bathroom?

Question

as opposed to normal flick switches outside the bathroom.

Answer 1

I don't think it can be to prevent electricution as some bathrooms do have flick switches and the people who use the toilet seem to survive! Could it just be decoration? Or that the switch is easier to find in the dark

Answer 2

Bathroom Light Pull

Answer 3

It's a safety thing. As moisture could run down walls into light switch units and become dangerous - electric shock risk.

So the unit is usually on the ceiling, with a pull chord.

ALTHOUGH, I live in the UK, and from one house to the next I have seen both types.. Light pull in the room & switches on the wall just outside the bathroom.

Answer 4

Our bathroom used to have a pull string light switch before we had it rewired, now we have a outside the bathroom door flick switch, our house is well over a hundred years old so maybe it used to be the thing to have the pull light and now modern houses are up to date and have them outside the bathroom door.

Answer 5

The cord has a break near the top,it is insulated at this point to prevent electric shock,it has been illegal for some time to fit a flick switch where someone runs the risk of electrocution unless it is the type completely covered in rubber

Answer 6

It's the uk stupidity. All over the world, in every country, in every hotel there is a normal switch and a socket for a hair dryer. The UK is different as always

Answer 7

It's how it's usually done. The switch has to be outside of a zone, and that is the easiest way to have the switch available and safe.

Answer 8

SAFETY!!!!

Try turning a normal switch off with wet hands and you'll see why there is a pull string cord.

Answer 9

Try a few flick switches with wet hands, you'll be shocked at the result.

Answer 10

Because you could fry yourself using a flick switch with wet hands or if the switch gets wet through condensation.