For some time Heatrae Sadia has been highlighting the importance of safe hot water in commercial premises such as factories,offices and hair salons,public sector applications including schools,universities,nursing and care homes,and properties used by the general public such as shopping and leisure centres.

As we all know,the majority of commercial properties in the UK are served by a hot water storage and distribution system,but what some people might not fully appreciate is that the owners and managers of these types of property have a duty of care to ensure these hot water facilities are safe for users.

Hot water storage and distribution systems pose two possible risks – scalding and bacterial infection – both of which cause a significant number of injuries,illness and deaths each year in the UK,both in the private and public sector.

Managing these two risks is problematic because the prevention of one directly affects the other.

Legionella bacteria are naturally occurring organisms present in many water systems,which thrive at temperatures of between 20°C and 45°C,but die at temperatures above 60°C.If exposed to legionella bacteria humans can develop legionnaire’s disease,a potentially fatal respiratory condition.Reports suggest that in 2002 there were 258 reported cases of legionnaire’s disease,resulting in 22 deaths and it is thought that these figures significantly underestimate the true incidences, as not all cases are reported.

In order to eliminate harmful bacteria forming in hot water storage systems the water must be stored and distributed at 60°C or above.

However,water delivered to a tap or shower at this temperature poses a hazard.Water does not have to be boiling to scald –temperatures above 45°C can cause serious injury.It will only take five seconds for water at 60°C to cause a third-degree burn*,and less than one second at 70°C*.

Severe scalds can result in disability and disfigurement,and scalding is one of the most distressing and painful injuries anyone can suffer.The scarring can cause long-term psychological trauma and social alienation.

Though scalding can happen to anyone,children and the elderly are at a higher risk because they have thinner,more sensitive skin,which is less tolerant to high water temperatures.Almost three quarters of scalding fatalities involve people aged over 65.In addition,the elderly and mentally or physically impaired people are at increased risk as they may not be able to react quickly or be agile enough to move away if they come into contact with scalding water.

They may also be likely to panic,which could,for example,leave them struggling to open a shower cubicle door – increasing the chance of severe burns.

Institutions and establishments responsible for these groups of people,for example care,nursing and children’s homes,sheltered housing associations,nurseries,schools and universities,have a legal duty of care to ensure that the water at the tap will not scald.

Only last month we saw a case of an elderly care home resident in Pembrokeshire who was accidentally lowered into a scalding bath.

The 81 year old man suffered burnt legs and skin blistering,and later

died.It’s a tragic case and resulted in a verdict of death by natural causes brought on by a lack of care.The home's deputy manager said a fail-safe temperature control measure should have prevented the water being too hot,but the Health and Safety Executive inspector who examined the tap found it could deliver temperatures over 43°C.

We would stress how important it is for building managers and maintenance staff to regularly check controls to guard against such tragic incidents.

Liability is also an issue in commercial premises such as offices, hairdressing salons,leisure centres,hotels and public toilets and washrooms.Businesses can face prosecution if they do not implement protective measures against scalding.

Useful guidance for safe hot water temperatures is provided by the NHS Estates Health Guidance Note,which recommends hot water temperatures of 41°C for washbasins and showers.These temperatures are recommended for all healthcare premises and those registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984(Ref 3),but are applicable for other types of occupied building,including commercial premises.

The most effective way to prevent both legionella and scalding in commercial applications is to store and distribute water at a high temperature,to kill bacteria,and use a TMV (Thermostatic Mixing Valve)to control the temperature of the hot water at the point of use,eliminating the risk of scalding.Of course,as well as eliminating the risk of a hot water system harbouring bacteria such as legionella,storing water at 60°C gives a larger quantity of useable blended hot water at the tap.

According to the TMVA (Thermostatic Mixing Valve Association), established in 1999 to draw attention to the safe provision of hot water at the point of use, both scalding injuries and legionella are wholly preventable by the use of appropriate safety products.TMVs reduce the discharge temperature of stored hot water to an appropriate level by blending it with cold water before it reaches the tap,ensuring a constant and safe outlet temperature to prevent scalding.

TMVs have now become the ‘best practice’ solution for all applications where people are seen to be at risk within properties owned or managed by a third party.

Heatrae Sadia Heating offers a number of safe hot water solutions from both our Heatrae Sadia and Santon market leading brands.We offer TMV2 and TMV3 thermostatic blending valves as part of our range of accessories, and these are widely specified for use with our

small unvented water heaters.Delivering hot water at mains pressure, small unvented water heaters are ideal for commercial and public sector premises with hand washing facilities.

Small unvented products (less than 15 litre capacity) can be installed by any competent person – but a G3 large unvented qualification is required by anyone installing units of 15 litres or above. Training for this qualification is widely available.

Our sister company Baxi Potterton offers industry approved large unvented training courses and the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board),BPEC(British Plumbing Employers Council),European Registration Scheme or Zurich Certification all offer approved unvented hot water storage training courses.

Small unvented water heaters can supply two or more basins or sinks without the need for special taps; often proving more cost effective to install than single sink open outlet heaters.In larger buildings the provision of a number of small unvented water heaters can provide a more flexible design solution than one large distributed hot water system, allowing individual units to be isolated or serviced without closing down a building’s complete hot water supply.

Santon’s Aqualine small unvented water heater,capable of serving up to four sinks or basins,is the only small unvented water heating product on the market that incorporates an in-built thermostatic blending valve.Aqualine features a TMV2 blending valve,which means the temperature delivered to the tap is pre-set to a specified temperature, but can be adjusted by the installer.

We believe TMV2 and TMV3 rated small unvented systems offer the ultimate electric water heating solution for commercial applications; as well as providing mains pressure water for multiple sinks and basins,they offer important TMV rated safety assurance to guard users against scalding and legionella and protect businesses against potential liability issues.

* From the BRE Information paper.

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