Reliance Worldwide Corportation (UK) Ltd wants installers to employ best practice on every installation and to help prevent the thousands of scalding injuries that happen every year.
As part of the ‘Hot Water Burns Like Fire’ lobbying campaign and in support of the Children’s Burns Trust and the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), RWC UK wants to see an end to costly accidents which have left so many scarred for life.
Figures from the Government highlight that almost 600 people in the UK suffer the devastating and enduring effects of severe scalding injuries every year and three-quarters of these victims are thought to be under five-years-old. Around 500 children are admitted to hospital and a further 2000 attend A&E departments every year as a result of bath water scalds.
In fact, research estimates that an average of 13 children a day under the age of four will suffer a severe injury from a scald. Older people are also at particular risk of dying as a result of hot tap-water scalds. Specifically, an average of 15 pensioners die each year as a result of such accidents.
RAISING THE ALARM
Unfortunately, most scalding accidents are entirely preventable and there are various common-sense steps that everyone can take to try to safeguard against their occurrence. RoSPA recognises TMVs as being a critical solution to the prevention of scalds from household taps, baths and showers.
RWC UK also believes that installing TMVs in the home to limit the temperature of hot tap water should be considered akin to having a smoke alarm fitted to help protect against the risk of fire.
However, although TMV technology may now be considered commonplace by the plumbing industry, most home-owners are still unaware of the benefits TMVs brings in, ensuring household hot water safety. This is why RWC UK is calling on trusted plumbing installers to help us raise awareness.
PROVIDING THE SOLUTION
RWC UK is a pioneer of thermostatic technology and water safety is at the heart of everything the company does. The Reliance Water Controls® range includes a huge number of temperature control solutions, from separate TMVs for behind-the-wall installations to those incorporated within the outlet such as a tap or shower, suitable for all types of domestic and commercial applications.
For example, the Ausimix® TMVs are designed to meet the requirements of the Buildcert TMV2 scheme which certifies valves for domestic use, as well as the more stringent Buildcert TMV3 scheme for use in high-risk healthcare environments.
BRINGING THE MESSAGE HOME
The benefits that TMVs bring are also really simple for installers to explain to customers. By blending the hot and cold water supply to a ‘safe’, controlled outlet temperature (a maximum of 46°C* for bath water, TMVs ensure the temperature of the water will not exceed the set point.
Most TMVs will have a failsafe mechanism so if there is a failure with either the hot or cold water supplies, the valve will close off, allowing no water to pass through thus protecting the user and allowing them to identify that a problem has occurred.
Therefore RWC believes that the widespread adoption of TMVs would be a simple and cost-effective way to ensure greater water safety in UK homes and help to protect the lives of young, old and vulnerable people.
T: Stuart Harron, Sales Director for Ireland, on (NI) 07909 532133 or (RoI) 0044 7909 532133 – E: stuart.harron@rwc.com
T: Garth Walsh, Regional Sales Manager, Northern Ireland, on (NI) 07881 274917 – E: garth.walsh@rwc.com
W: www.rwc.co.uk
* Maximum temperatures should always be set on the basis of a risk assessment and consideration given to the people likely to use the hot water.
