UPDATE - JUNE 2007 NEWS RELEASE
Mary Creagh MP has announced progress in the campaign to stop bath scalds with the Goverment announcing it is to consult over proposals to alter building regulations to include hot water safety measures.
For the full News Release, click here (Adobe pdf document).
'HOT WATER BURNS LIKE FIRE' CAMPAIGN EVENT AT WESTMINSTER: 14 SEPTEMBER 2006
Mary Creagh MP hosted a major conference on 14th September at the House of Commons as part of the campaign to improve the safety of hot water in the home. The event brought together burns experts, major children's charities and politicians to discuss the 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' campaign.
Ms Creagh has been campaigning for a change in the law to require that Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) be fitted in all new and refurbished homes. The valves set bath tap water temperature to a maximum of 48ºC. This would allow everyone to have a hot bath whilst minimising the risk of scalding. Similar legislation exists in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and came into force in Scotland in May 2006.
This campaign is supported by 11 organisations with a deep concern for the safety of children, the elderly and the infirm, the manufacturers of TMV safety valves and plumbing installation organisations: Age Concern, Bathroom Manufacturers Association, British Burn Association, Buildcert, Child Accident Prevention Trust, Children's Fire & Burn Trust, Help the Aged, IPHE, RoSPA, SoPHE, TMVA.
Mary Creagh MP said : "Hot bath water is the major cause of severe scalding injuries to young children. They take just seconds to happen. Yet they are easily prevented with a simple bath valve".
Howard Porter, Director of the Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers' Association (TMVA) commented: "Safe water temperatures are essential. 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."
On 14th September, to an invited audience of 60 delegates consisting of MPs, industry professionals, plumbing organisations, medical professionals and charities, the event highlighted, through practical demonstrations and presentations from experts, the extreme dangers of hot bath water and the practical ways to eliminate these dangers i.e. through the installation of a TMV2 approved thermostatic mixing valve.
Eric Winter, Technical Manager and Grant Phipps, National Sales Manager attended the event on behalf of Reliance Water Controls, and are pictured here with Mary Creagh MP.
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Eric Winter says: "At Reliance we have been working very hard for many years to raise the awareness of the dangers of scalding. We hope that this event and the support and commitment of all the people today will be the catalyst for a change in the building regulations to include the fitting of a TMV2 approved TMV to prevent these horrific scalding incidents."
| You Can Help
If you want to help the campaign as an organisation or an individual to get the issue of TMVs included in the revision of the Part G of the Building Regulations, you can write to the Government ministers responsible for these regulations. Click here to download Suggested Letter to Ministers of what to say . In addition you can register your support by contacting Mary Creagh’s office link to SMITHMI@parliament.uk - or register your interest on the HOT WATER BURNS LIKE FIRE website.
 Reliance has 3 valves in its thermostatic mixing valve range that meet the requirements of the TMV2 Scheme:
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Heatguard
TMV2 |
Heatguard LS2 |
Heatguard
BF2-2 |
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Market leading TMV2 approved TMV.
Click here for further information and specification sheet |
Suitable for general purpose uses.
Click here for further information and specification sheet |
Suitable for high flow bathfill applications
Click here for further information and specification sheet |
Downloads (pdf documents)
These documents were issued at the event on 14 September:
Links
For full campaign and event information and further downloads, visit the Hot Water Burns Like Fire website.
Eric Winter, Technical Manager
September 2006
Copyright: Reliance Water Controls 2006
Heatguard is a registered trademark of Reliance Water Controls
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