Hot water warning from heating and ventilating contractors 28 October 2011

The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) has issued new advice to hot water plant owners and operators, with responsibility for vulnerable people.

Its guidance follows the case of Midland Heart housing association, which was fined £100,000 for failing to ensure that its water outlet temperature was properly controlled at its properties, resulting in the death of one of its residents.

The housing association pleaded guilty at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

"One of the reasons cited for high hot water temperature is the need to control legionella bacteria and we are aware that some building operators, particularly in the care sector, have argued that water temperatures have been increased to combat that risk," comments Blane Judd, chief executive of the HVCA.

"However, an increase in the risk of scalding cannot be justified as a consequence of introducing precautions against legionella. Water should be delivered to a bath or shower outlet at no more than 46C and prevented from being discharged at greater than 46C from taps that may be accessible to children, older and more vulnerable people," he warns.

Judd points to new requirements in Part G of the Building Regulations, which require that in all new properties only thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) hot water taps are fitted.

"We, along with other industry bodies, support the installation of mixing controls (TMVs) and the on-going maintenance and updating of existing hot water systems to ensure they are fitted with TMVs," states Judd.

Brian Tinham

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