IP ratings are used as a measure of how well electrical equipment, such as an emergency light or fire exit sign, can resist dust particles and water.
IP stands for "ingress protection", and the two digits indicate the following:
With 0 meaning no protection and 6 being the highest level of protection.
| Digit | Intrusion protection | Moisture protection |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against solid objects over 50mm in diameter (e.g. hands) | Protected against falling drops of moisture (e.g. condensation) |
| 2 | Protected against solid objects over 12mm diameter, not exceeding 80mm long (e.g. fingers) | Protected against sprayed water at up to 15° from the vertical |
| 3 | Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm (e.g. tools) | Protected against sprayed water at up to 60° from the vertical |
| 4 | Protects against solid objects over 1.0mm (e.g. small wires, screws, nails, insects) | Protected against water splashes from all directions |
| 5 | Partial protection against dust that may harm equipment | Protected against low pressure jets, from all directions - limited ingress allowed |
| 6 | Dust tight - totally protected against dust | Protected against strong jets of water |
For example, if an emergency light or fire exit sign is rated IP54, it is protected against dust and water sprayed from any direction.
Reviewed: 01/02/2023 (doc:540 V1.0). Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. Please note that we provide abridged, easy-to-understand guidance. To make detailed decisions about your fire safety provisions, you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.
