It has happened to all of us, you turn on the hot water tap just to get a scalding flow of very hot water from the tap. The pain and sensitive skin that follows is the lowest level of injuries that are caused every year in the UK from overheated water, which in extreme cases leads to fatal injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive has issued new guidelines last autumn following a case of fatal burns due to scalding water. The new guidelines require all care homes to install temper proof thermostatic mixing valves to prevent such tragic injuries in the future.
The Building Standard in Scotland currently includes a requirement to install thermostatic mixing valves in all new housing developments or major re-developments. It is not yet compulsory in England and Wales, but there is indication the Building Regulations authorities are reviewing this issue.
To reduce the risk of Legionella, it is required to keep hot water (for example within a hot water tank) at temperatures of between 60 and 65 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures it is believed that the Legionella virus does not survive. Nevertheless, water coming out of the tap at that temperature is too hot and should be mixed with colder water first.
TMVs are particularly important in public buildings or properties with communal water heating systems. Hot water regulations in the UK require water to be kept at high temperature throughout the system (up to the point of delivery) to reduce the risk of Legionalla.
There are primarily two groups of users at risk of burns - young children and old people. Every year UK hospitals admit hundreds of children that suffer from burns from extra hot baths. Children have a very sensitive skin and such burns may leave scars for the rest of their lives. Similarly, old people get scalded from extra hot water when their less sensitive skin and slow reactions may hinder their movements thus exacerbate the injury. Mentally and physically impaired people are also slow to react or easily confused under such circumstances leading to injuries.
There are broadly two types of thermostatic mixing valves that are suitable for installation and certified:
TMV2 kits are mostly used for domestic installations. However, they are also suitable for most other properties. It is required to undertake a full risk assessment to review if there are disabled or vulnerable people on the premises.
TMV3 valves are engineered to tighter performance and provide better safety and quality. They are required in all installations in healthcare projects or on premises for disabled or vulnerable people (such as mentally or physically challenged people).
Manufacturers of thermostatic mixing valves recommend that they are installed only by qualified plumbers. The valves are positioned between the hot and the cold pipes to prevent the water coming out of the tap at an extremely high temperature. Most common TMVs are installed under the bath or under the hand basin for a simple installation. Most kits are sold with tailpieces which include isolation, a strainer and test points. Some kits have flexible connectors and isolating filter vales to deal with space limitations.
The Health and Safety Executive has issued new guidelines last autumn following a case of fatal burns due to scalding water. The new guidelines require all care homes to install temper proof thermostatic mixing valves to prevent such tragic injuries in the future.
The Building Standard in Scotland currently includes a requirement to install thermostatic mixing valves in all new housing developments or major re-developments. It is not yet compulsory in England and Wales, but there is indication the Building Regulations authorities are reviewing this issue.
To reduce the risk of Legionella, it is required to keep hot water (for example within a hot water tank) at temperatures of between 60 and 65 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures it is believed that the Legionella virus does not survive. Nevertheless, water coming out of the tap at that temperature is too hot and should be mixed with colder water first.
TMVs are particularly important in public buildings or properties with communal water heating systems. Hot water regulations in the UK require water to be kept at high temperature throughout the system (up to the point of delivery) to reduce the risk of Legionalla.
There are primarily two groups of users at risk of burns - young children and old people. Every year UK hospitals admit hundreds of children that suffer from burns from extra hot baths. Children have a very sensitive skin and such burns may leave scars for the rest of their lives. Similarly, old people get scalded from extra hot water when their less sensitive skin and slow reactions may hinder their movements thus exacerbate the injury. Mentally and physically impaired people are also slow to react or easily confused under such circumstances leading to injuries.
There are broadly two types of thermostatic mixing valves that are suitable for installation and certified:
TMV2 kits are mostly used for domestic installations. However, they are also suitable for most other properties. It is required to undertake a full risk assessment to review if there are disabled or vulnerable people on the premises.
TMV3 valves are engineered to tighter performance and provide better safety and quality. They are required in all installations in healthcare projects or on premises for disabled or vulnerable people (such as mentally or physically challenged people).
Manufacturers of thermostatic mixing valves recommend that they are installed only by qualified plumbers. The valves are positioned between the hot and the cold pipes to prevent the water coming out of the tap at an extremely high temperature. Most common TMVs are installed under the bath or under the hand basin for a simple installation. Most kits are sold with tailpieces which include isolation, a strainer and test points. Some kits have flexible connectors and isolating filter vales to deal with space limitations.
About the Author:
Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, publishes content on condensing boilers, Hove plumbers, central heating, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating
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