switch for light and extractor fan in bathroom

[doublex]

I have recently had switches and sockets updated.
For the bathrooms, where there used to be two switches (one for the light, one for the fan) there is now one switch. Hence, the fan always comes on with the light and the fan cannot be used independently of the light.
Does anyone know if there is a reason for this i.e. a regulation linked to safety?
Many thanks.

I’m not sure but we have an isolation switch for the fan which is high up, so can turn it off if we want to.

it's to defeat people who have an aversion to ventilation and refuse to turn extractors on.

There’s no regulation to stop you having an isolator (which overrides the auto on and stops the fan).

There are isolator switches (too high for me to reach easily).
I promise I have never hung wet clothing over radiators and have raised my adult children to respect the God of Ventilation.
However, I would like to have a bath or a shower in the daytime without the lights on but still use the fan.

It can be done, at extra complexity and cost.

If you have a modern extractor with run-on timer, you can flick the lights on briefly and it will run for a preset period.

okay. Thanks everyone.

When you say: "..there used to be two switches..", do you mean there used to be 2 switches on one plastic back, and now there is just 1 switch in the same space? ..or was there an entirely separate physical switch in a different place to the light switch that has been removed?

I finished my bathroom last week and I have a fan switch and a light switch. You have to ask and specify this, otherwise in bathrooms they tend to put the fan with the light wiring.

It is annoying having the fan come on in the middle of the night so I made sure I had them separate. It's still up to regulations as you need an extractor fan.

You will need an electrician now if you want to change yours but it will cause cost and mess.

I have no idea to your question but our fan stays on for about 10 or 15 mins after the light goes off, so during the day I turn the light on and off and then shower whilst the fan is on. My call to get out is when the fan stops .

modern extractors with ball-bearing motors can be very quiet.

Ducted fans in the loft, even more so, as well as more powerful.

The all-plastic things that builders buy for £6, not so much.

Luckily they are fairly simple to swap.

When we had a windowless ensuite installed I made sure the fan was on a separate switch to the light as it would do my head in while I'm just doing my teeth or makeup.
The downstairs loo has one that runs on the light switch. It's only benefit being I can hear if the kids have left the light on as it's timed to go off as soon as the light does. It's in there for the tumble drier really, it's got a humidistat so comes on when it gets too steamy regardless of whether the light is on or not.