Housing Associations should check need for thermostatic mixing valves to prevent scalding, says Honeywell

Housing associations should act now to ensure residents cannot be scalded by hot water, warns Honeywell, the leading manufacturer of water valves and heating controls. Regulations require that housing associations fit a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV), which ensures scalding water cannot be provided at the point of delivery, on showers, baths and basins in dwellings for the elderly. In other dwellings, associations should fit TMVs on baths and basins to comply with Best Practice. The new scale-resistant Honeywell TM300, certified to the new Buildcert TMV2 scheme, is acceptable in all premises except those subject to the Care Homes Regulations because they are used by the severely disabled; these require a valve such as the Honeywell TM200VP, rated to the higher TMV3 standard.
The TM300 is scale-resistant and designed for “under-bath” installation on both high and low pressure systems. It is one of very few TMV2 valves certified for use with the full range of bathroom appliances: bidets, showers, washbasins and bathtubs. It employs a highly sensitive wax element which controls the hot and cold water inlets to provide a safe uniform temperature between 38 and 46 degrees C, as set by the installer. In addition, it ensures safety by cutting off the hot water inlet automatically if the cold supply fails.
Honeywell explains that the BuildCert TMV scheme recommends the following maximum hot water temperatures for use in all premises: 46 degrees C for bath fill; 41 degrees for showers and washbasins; and 38 degrees C for bidets. However, while 46 degrees C is the maximum temperature for water from the bath hot tap, it takes into account the margin of error inherent in TMV2 valves and temperature loss in metal baths, especially in cold bathrooms. It is not a safe bathing temperature for adults or children. The British Burns Association recommends 37 to 37.5 degrees C as a comfortable bathing temperature for children.
For more advice on regulating maximum hot water temperatures, see Housing Corporation Standards 1.2.1.33a (general dwellings) and 1.2.1.58 and 1.2.1.69 (dwellings for the elderly).
For details of Honeywell water control products call freephone 0800 7833 824, e-mail water.control@honeywell.com or write to: Water Products, Honeywell Control Systems Ltd., Honeywell House, Arlington Business Park, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1EB.

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