Altecnic, the UK’s leading supplier of plumbing equipment, is launching the first and only tempering valve that has been independently verified as complying with the revised UK Building Regulations Part G 2010.

The Building Regulations Part G requires that tempering valves must be fitted to a storage vessel capable of exceeding 80°C, as used in solar hot water systems and the tempering valve is legally required to be manufactured to BS EN 15092. The 5218 tempering valves is the first valve to be accredited against this standard and the first valve to be approved by BuildCert’s Distribution Tempering Control (DTC) Scheme.

Tested by WRc-NSF Ltd and certified by Buildcert’s DTC scheme, Altecnic’s easy to install in-line tempering valve is designed to mix cold water with hot from solar heating units to keep temperature of the outgoing water between the legally required range of 55 – 60°C. In the event of a failure of the hot or cold water supplies the 5218 will automatically shut off or regulate the water discharging into the distribution pipework.

Paul Taylor, Buildcert manager said: “The revised Building Regulations present challenges to industry that reflect developments within the renewable energy sector (Solar Heating). Altecnic have embraced this new challenge and have delivered a smart new valve that satisfies the guidance detailed in the Building Regulations. Without this approval installers would find it very difficult to demonstrate compliance with Part G of the Building Regulations. Altecnic and BuildCert have co-operated closely on progressing the certification and as always being the first to achieve the certification has been a real achievement.”

Commenting on the launch, Altecnic’s managing director Alan Sherwin said: “As a carbon-neutral company, Altecnic is committed to developing the renewables market. This new regulation has slipped under the radar for many people, and I think it’s fair to say that unintentionally a few plumbers and installers have actually been breaking the law.

“By focusing on accreditation and quality, Altecnic has been able to develop a tempering valve that has been verified as complying with the regulations and helps installers meet the specific requirements for solar heated systems. Approved by both WRAS and Buildcert, customers can be confident that the 5218 is fit for purpose.”