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Which IP rating do I need for a wet or wash-down fire alarm installation?

Jetting and immersion are different tests — match both IP digits to the hazard, and check the kit part number first.

Direct answer

Match the two IP digits to the actual hazard on site. For dust plus water jets, specify a product rated IP65 or IP66; for temporary immersion, IP67; for both, a dual rating such as IP66/IP67 — an IP67 product is not automatically protected against jetting. Among Hochiki ESP devices, the CHQ-WS2 and CHQ-WSB2 are IP21 internally and reach IP65 only with the CHQ-WPK kit fitted per instructions 2-3-0-627, which is also what makes them EN 54-3 type B devices (LPCB approval for that kit is to IP33), and the HCP-W (SCI) or the ICP-W(SCI) is the addressable manual call point approved for outdoor use at IP67. IP ratings say nothing about chemical resistance.

Applies to

  • Products / Models: CHQ-WS2, CHQ-WSB2 with CHQ-WPK weatherproofing kit; YBO-R/3 and YBO-R/SCI bases (RED or WHT, matching the device case colour); HCP-W (SCI) and the ICP-W(SCI) weatherproof addressable call point
  • Firmware / Version: Not applicable
  • Region: UK / Europe
  • Standards: BS EN 60529 (IP Code); BS EN 54-3 (sounders — requires IP21C for type A indoor and IP33C for type B outdoor); BS EN 54-23 (visual alarm devices); BS EN 54-11 (manual call points); BS EN 54-17 (short-circuit isolators)

Resolution / Steps

Understanding IP ratings (practical point)

  • Select equipment with an IP rating appropriate to the expected environment.
  • IP ratings are shown on product specifications and denote ingress protection. An IP code has two digits: the first is protection against solid objects and dust (6 = dust-tight), the second is protection against water. Some fire alarm product standards add a letter, such as the C in IP21C and IP33C, which describes protection against access with a tool.
  • IP ratings describe protection against solid objects and water only. They say nothing about resistance to chemicals, solvents or corrosive atmospheres. Hochiki installation instructions for the HCP and ICP call point ranges state that lubricants, cleaning solvents and petroleum-based products should be avoided. Where a corrosive or chemically contaminated atmosphere is present, contact Hochiki Europe Technical Support before specifying equipment.

Concrete examples of suitable devices

  • The CHQ-WSB2 wall sounder beacon is rated IP21 for internal use. It reaches IP65 only when fitted with the CHQ-WPK weatherproofing kit and installed in accordance with kit instructions 2-3-0-627, on one of its permitted mounting bases (the standard base YBO-R/3 or the short-circuit isolator base YBO-R/SCI, in the case colour that matches the device). No other type of base may be used. The same CHQ-WPK weatherproofing kit (installation instructions 2-3-0-627) is used for the CHQ-WS2, and the CHQ-WSB2. Confirm the kit part number against the data sheet for the exact sounder model before ordering. The IP65 figure is the manufacturer's declared rating; third-party approval by LPCB for the CHQ-WPK kit is to IP33 only, so where a project requires third-party certification of the ingress rating, quote the LPCB-approved figure rather than the declared one. Fitting the weatherproofing kit is what changes the device's classification under BS EN 54-3: without the kit these sounders are type A (intended for indoor use), and with the kit fitted they are type B (intended for outdoor use). BS EN 54-3 requires the type B enclosure protection to be IP33C, and requires each sounder to be marked with its environmental type, so check the marking on the device you actually receive, not only the IP figure on the data sheet. For the CHQ-WSB2, the kit also changes the mounting arrangement, and mounting position and orientation are part of its declared EN 54-23 category O coverage: see How to check illumination coverage for CHQ-WSB2 and YBO-BSB2 visual alarm devices.
  • For an addressable manual call point that is approved for outdoor use, specify the HCP-W (SCI) or the ICP-W(SCI): it is rated IP67 and its installation instructions (2-3-0-3405) state that the unit can be used outdoors. Do not specify the HCP-W(SCI) for outdoor or wash-down locations: although its data sheet quotes IP67, its installation instructions (2-3-0-750-8) state that it is for indoor use only.

Practical steps to ensure suitability

  1. Identify the environmental hazards present:
    • High ambient moisture, frequent water exposure, pressure washing, or presence of chemical contaminants.
  2. Check the device IP rating on the product specification sheet:
    • For environments where dust ingress must be prevented, look for ratings that include the “6” dust protection level.
    • For protection against water exposure, check that the IP code explicitly covers the specific hazard present (jetting or immersion) — do not assume a higher second digit is always better.
    • Check the operating temperature and humidity limits as well as the IP rating. Hochiki ESP devices in this article are specified for -10 °C to +50 °C and a maximum of 95% RH non-condensing at 40 °C. An IP rating does not extend a device's approval into condensing conditions.
  3. Match the product rating to the environment:
    • Use IP65-rated devices where dust-tight protection plus a degree of water protection is suitable.
    • Match the second IP digit to the actual hazard, not to a notion of "higher is better". A rating of 5 or 6 covers water jets; 7 and 8 cover temporary or continuous immersion. The two series are tested differently, so an IP67 product is not automatically protected against jetting. Where a location is both jetted and liable to flooding, specify a product with a dual rating such as IP66/IP67.
  4. Confirm full component suitability:
    • Verify the rating applies to the assembled product as installed (not only to individual components).
    • Use products offered and specified with the required IP rating rather than assuming protection from enclosure or installation alone.
    • Order suitable weatherproof cable glands separately. Neither the CHQ-WPK weatherproofing kit nor the HCP-W (SCI) or the ICP-W(SCI) back box includes them, and both sets of installation instructions state that the declared IP rating depends on fitting them. Blank off any unused cable entry; the weatherproofing kit supplies a blanking gland for this.
  5. Use specified, approved products:
    • Select devices that list the required IP rating in their official product documentation.

Troubleshooting and verification tips

  • Always refer to the product specification or technical data sheet to confirm the stated IP rating before installation.

When to contact technical support

Contact Hochiki Europe Technical Support if you are unsure which IP-rated product or weatherproofing accessory is correct for a specific site condition, or if the IP rating quoted on a product's documentation does not match what is described in this article.

Safety note

This article is general guidance for Hochiki Europe products. Design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and modification of fire detection and alarm systems should be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, a competent person in accordance with the applicable standards (for example BS 5839-1 in the UK). Statutory requirements imposed by the relevant enforcing authority also apply. Always refer to the current product manual and data sheet for the exact model before carrying out any work.

References

Last reviewed: 2026-10-23 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support