News

A step change in bathroom safety
[Back to Articles]

The bathroom is not usually associated with loss of life but around 20 deaths and almost 600 serious accidents happen in the UK bathroom every year. And the cause? Scalding, due to uncontrolled hot water.
These shocking statistics have been the focus of attention for some time and from October 2009 a major change in legislation sees safety ‘built in’ to newly built homes.
Deadly Serious
Scalding by the uncontrolled temperature of bath water is deadly serious and in future, baths in all new homes must be fitted with a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) designed specifically to limit the temperature of hot water. This relatively inexpensive anti-scald device blends hot and cold water to deliver that water at a preset, constant and safe temperature.
The TMV may be a separate mixing valve which sits between the supply pipes and the mixer tap, or it may be part of the tap itself. The TMV, can be retro-fitted in ALL homes and will prevent scalding, particularly in the elderly and very young. But within Part G of the Revised Building Regulations all new homes must have them fitted.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA, commented “the news that the government has introduced the Revised Building Regulations Part G has been warmly welcomed by members of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. The regulations herald a great step forward in bathroom safety.”
Excellent new guide
An excellent new publication from the BMA’s Bathroom Academy provides an in-depth and informative guide to the TMV.
The guide, which is one in a special series published by the Bathroom Academy, goes into detail about the TMV; what it is, where it is used and what are the relevant regulations. Following an introduction to the safety aspects of hot water the guide describes the three main types of valve and how they work. The differing configurations of valves are explained with illustrations of T-pattern valves, exposed or built-in showers, and bath mixers. Readers are guided through the various factors which influence choice of products and the important aspects of plumbing systems and water pressure are described.
Installation, commissioning and maintenance are not normally included in the Industry Guides but in this case special pages are dedicated to this aspect.
The conclusion to the guide takes a look at fault diagnosis, industry jargon and frequently asked questions and for those wanting to know more a comprehensive bibliography guides them to more reading.
Certificate in Bathroom Studies
The TMV guide is downloadable, price £50 +VAT (students £10 + VAT) from the Bathroom Academy website and forms part of the Academy’s Certificate in Bathroom Studies.
Students wishing to study for the CBS can choose six of the nine subjects. The total cost of the course, leading to the certificate, is currently £60 +VAT
The bathroom Academy is an invaluable way for anyone in the bathroom industry to bring their knowledge base bang up to date.
TMVs save lives – learn about them.
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

[Back to Articles]