Healthcare environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and sheltered accommodation present particular problems when designing or refurbishing the bathroom facilities.
The key factors to consider are:
a) Ensuring safe water temperatures to protect vulnerable users from scalding by hot water.
b) Reducing infection and cross contamination.
SAFE WATER TEMPERATURES
 Where users are considered to be at particularly high risk of scalding, eg in care environments such as hospitals or nursing homes, then an even more stringent degree of temperature sensitivity and failsafe performance is required of the technology used for their protection. TMV3 approved products are compliant with the NHS D08 healthcare specification and are suitable to ensure safe water temperature at this level.
THERMOSTATIC TAPS
Reliance offer a range of taps which incorporate thermostatic technology approved to the TMV3 standard to control the temperature of the water. As Reliance thermostatic mixing valves use a single piece cartridge for the temperature sensitivity and control, it was possible to build this into a tap body. Use of the cartridge style technology throughout the tap range means that stocking spares and maintenance are easy and straightforward.
Reliance's Caremix® thermostatic taps range:
- TMV3 approved for high and low pressure basin applications.
- WARS approved to UK water regulations.
- Single piece thermostatic cartridge is common to the whole range.
- Failsafe shut off in the case of hot or cold supply failure.
- "Cool-Touch" design helps prevent risk of scalding by the tap body.
- Chrome plated and supplied with a high-tech diamond hard PVD coating for scratch resistance and long-lasting finish.
- Isolaters, strainers, flow regulators and check valves are all supplied.
- Available with lever handle for easy operation, or extended lever for operation by arm or elbow.
THERMOSTATIC MIXING VALVES
Reliance's TMV3 approved Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) are compliant with the NHS D08 healthcare specification and are suitable to ensure safe water temperature in high risk environments such as hospitals and nursing homes.
|
The Heatguard® DC3
|
 
Examples of a TMV fitted in front of
or behind panelling,
close to the basin outlet
|
The Reliance Heatguard® TMV3 approved DC3 thermostatic mixing valve:
- Can be fitted close to the taps or spout.
- TMV3 approved for use with washbasins, showers and for high pressure bathfill applications.
- Suitable for use in healthcare premises.
INFECTION CONTROL
ELECTRONIC INFRA-RED (IR) WASHROOM CONTROLS
Infection from cross contamination can be a serious and potentially deadly problem in healthcare bathrooms. This risk can be significantly reduced by the use of "hands-free" infra-red (IR) operated washroom controls which allow the user to operate the facilities without touching them.
|
Senselec® basin control
- spout with infrared sensor
|
Reliance's high quality Senselec® range of electronic infra-red(IR) washroom controls have been designed to reduce cross contamination in healthcare bathrooms. The range includes infra-red (IR) operated taps, shower controls, WC controls, and urinal controls. The range has the added benefit that the products are also water efficient, ensuring operation is activated only when needed.
- Automatic shut off prevents waste if sensor is accidentally or intentionally blocked.
- Battery or mains powered options.
|
IR BASIN TAPS / BASIN CONTROLS
Basin controls are available in a wide selection of formats, with a choice of size and style:
- Some incorporate integral sensors, others are available with separate sensor modules.
- Deck mounted taps or wall mounted spout options
IR SHOWER PACKAGES
Shower packages include IR sensor module, shower head and solenoid valve.
- Vortex or grid type spray pattern on showerheads
- Battery or mains powered options.
THE IR URINAL CONTROL
|
Senselec® urinal control with infrared sensor
|
Supplies a flush of water to a urinal using a solenoid valve and a type DC backflow preventer to comply with the Water Fittings and Water Regulations 1999 requirements regarding protection against Class 5 backsyphonage risks.
- Cross wall or panel mounted options.
- 12-hour hygiene flush maintains trap seal after extended period of inactivity.
- Ceiling mounted controls activated by a PIR (passive infrared) sensor are also available from Reliance, designed to reduce wastage in urinals likely to have periods of constant use.
|
THE IR WC CONTROL
Senselec IR WC controls are design to supply a flush of water to a WC pan using a standard cistern with an electronic flush valve, with integral overflow, which is activated by breaking the sensing field of the IR beam.
REMOTE CONTROL
Allows accurate set up and monitoring. By connecting the sensor cables to the controller, the installer is able to activate or de-activate an array of extra functions such as solenoid valve opening time, hygiene flush, sensing distance, time delay before closing the solenoid, and security lockout time. In addition, the controller has a diagnostic mode that allows interrogation of the sensor settings for fault finding purposes and for testing battery voltage. Suitable for showers, wall mounted urinals and WC controls.
SENSELEC® SYSTEMGUARD
Protects washroom facilities in commercial environments when unused for extended periods. The infrared control system shuts down a solenoid valve on the supply pipe to the washroom if no movement is detected within the sensing area for a pre-determined time, helping to minimise water leakage from terminal fittings.
BRE-EAM AND DEFRA'S WATER TECHNOLOGY LIST
Use of a water saving device such as those found in Reliance's Senselec IR range can attract points awarded by the British Research Establishment – Energy Assessment Method (BRE-EAM), indicating that this type of system complies with the environmental control for energy efficiency, which is part of the Building Regulations Part L. Such points awarded by BRE-EAM for the installation of environmentally friendly systems are becoming an increasingly significant consideration when designing and planning a development.
 Selected products in Reliance's Senselec range are also listed on Defra's Water Technology List which provides information on water-saving products which qualify for tax relief benefits. Products included on this list have been tested by Defra and the ECA to ensure they meet their water efficient criteria.
For further information on Reliance's range of:
- Heatguard® TMV3 Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs), click HERE
- Caremix® TMV3 Thermostatic Taps, click HERE
- Senselec® IR Washroom Controls, click HERE
or contact Reliance Water Controls on:
Freephone: 0800 389 5931
Telephone: 01386 712400
Email: sales@rwc.co.uk
Web: www.rwc.co.uk
Eric Winter, Technical Manager
October 2009
©Reliance Water Controls 2009 |
