Section G3 of the regulations will be extended so the hot water supply to any fixed bath must incorporate a device to ensuring the temperature of the water cannot exceed 48°C. The changes are aimed at new homes and while campaigners would like to see this extended to all dwellings, all concerned have broadly welcomed the amendments.
The revised document should become law in England in April 2010 and will follow the lead set by Scotland and other sectors (such as hospitals and care homes) with a duty of care in protecting the public from the risk of scalding. A lack of awareness of just how easily hot water can result in severe scalding means the protection of a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (or TMV) is vital. A TMV mixes hot and cold water to deliver blended water at a safe, pre-set temperature, by means of a temperature sensitive part that varies the amount of hot and cold water entering the valve.
A temperature of just 51°C will burn the average adult in 2-6 minutes, and even faster with adults and children who have thinner skin. Most of us find even 44°C uncomfortably hot, choosing to shower and bathe in a cooler 41°C.
Manufacturers have been forging ahead with new product development to help installers meet the requirements of an anticipated revision to Part G with regard to hot water safety and one of Pegler Yorkshire’s key launches for this year is a brand new range of TMV’s.
Branded under the Prestex name and manufactured and assembled completely in the UK, superior quality control and traceability have been key drivers for the new product, coupled with a precision engineering that has delivered a more compact and lightweight design.
To comply with Part G a TMV must have a maximum temperature stop at 48°C, must not be easily altered by the end user and be suitable and compatible with the installation. The product should allow the length of supply to the terminal outlet to be kept to a minimum, a key consideration in preventing the development of water borne pathogens like legionalla. The reason boiler temperatures are kept high is to destroy such pathogens and the TMV allows for this, while still ensuring the delivery of hot water at a safe pre-sent level.
For the domestic arena addressed by Part G, installers should select a TMV certified as compliant under the Buildcert TMV2 scheme. This will ensure compliance with both BSEN1111 and BSEN 1287. The new compact size of the Prestex Valve makes it easy to install near the outlet, and once fitted provides reliable temperature control, factory set at 43°C. A good TMV also protects the user from ‘Thermal Shock’ if either the hot or cold water supply should fail unexpectedly.
As well as monitoring and approving TMV’s, Buildcert also list manufacturers who comply with the relevant British and European standards, so installers and the public alike can be confident in the effectiveness of products on this list.
The benefits of TMV installation are hard to ignore and while changes to Part G have been welcome, reservations remain that the changes do not go far enough. There is the question of hot water safety being applied across the board, not just in new build alone. But of more concern is the question of on-going TMV maintenance.
TMV’s are sometimes referred to as ‘fail-safe’ devices, but this is mis-leading. Any complex mechanical device can only be as good as its servicing and after these products have been installed for several years, concerns over maintenance will arise. A house may have new owners or occupiers and some method needs to be agreed ensuring regular maintenance in accordance with manufacturers instructions – ensuring the device continues to function correctly.
It is essential any TMV fitted is a thoroughly tested, high performance device, with an equally high degree of quality control built in. The Prestex TMV has a unique bar code etched onto each product, which allows each TMV manufactured to be traced with unrivalled accuracy to where and when it was produced – right down to the minute of manufacture and initial testing. This level of traceability is a first for this sort of product in the industry.
There is no doubt that revised Part G is a real advance, but it is just one battle won. The fight to see TMV protection offered to all homes goes on. If choosing the right TMV is still proving difficult, all responsible manufacturers offer comprehensive advice and assistance to those who require further details or technical information, or installation advice. Further information is also available on the TMVA website at www.tmva.org.uk
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