BEAMA welcomes government commitment to hot water safety in housing

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Friday, 22, Jun 2007 12:00

BEAMA has welcomed The Government’s commitment to hot water safety in housing, as announced in its ministerial statement (21 June 2007).

Its Thermostatic Mixing Valve Group (TMVA) is particularly pleased as it has supported the campaign to change legislation for a number of years.

In response to Baroness Andrews saying the Government is committed to ensuring that Building Regulations support the safety of hot water systems in the home, TMVA director Dr Howard Porter commented:

“Through the Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign, we have been working closely with Government, and leading national charities, to encourage the installation of anti-scald devices called TMVs (thermostatic mixing valves).

“We will continue to ensure our industry gives the Government total support via consultation in developing the appropriate regulations, guidelines and training notes, and help those installing and maintaining these systems are aware of the issues involved.

“We totally welcome, and support, the Government’s new review of Part G of the Building Regulations (dealing with sanitary installations and the hot water systems that serve them as one package) to determine whether changes are needed, and can be made. Also, the Government is right in recognising that ‘a balance must be struck between ensuring health and safety risks are tackled without placing undue regulatory burdens on industry’. “

BEAMA

Association established over 100 years, covering a range of industries in the electrical, energy, water and power related sectors – see www.beama.org.uk

Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign

Every year, in the UK, around 20 people die as a result of dangerously hot bath water in their homes - a further 570 suffer serious scald injuries.

Children, the young (especially the under 5’s), elderly and infirm are particularly vulnerable.

Hot bath water is the number one cause of severe scalding injuries among young children - and for scalds, the bath is the number one killer.

But, scalding injuries are wholly avoidable via the installation of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), to prevent hot bath water scalds in the home.

The Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign is driven by the coalition of national children’s, elderly persons’ and safety charities, industry associations and experts.

Taking just seconds for a serious scald injury to occur, the young and the elderly are most at risk. Horrendous scald injuries, which could be avoided, are happening every day. Plus, there’s the long-term impact – the after-care, how families are affected.

Provisions for ‘Safe Hot Water’ have already been introduced in Scotland – so why not in England and Wales too?

The TMV solution

Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) control hot water to pre-selected maximum temperatures. The Scottish Building Standards Agency mandates that hot water is delivered at no higher than 48oC. TMVs will guarantee this maximum outlet temperature.

TMVs delivering hot water at 48oC, and below, will significantly reduce risk of scalds occurring in the home. By blending hot water (stored at temperatures high enough to kill bacteria) with cold to ensure constant, safe, outlet temperatures preventing scalding, TMVs in homes would prevent these horrific injuries.

While still allowing adults to enjoy a hot bath, and to top up a cooling bath with hot water.

More campaign information/event downloads from www.hotwaterburnslikefire.org.uk and www.safehotwater.co.uk