Protecting the most vulnerable with Thermostatic Mixing Valves

With 95% of scalding injuries attained by those most vulnerable being caused at home, we believe that all homeowners should be educated on how TMVs are able to prevent injury.

Over 12 toddlers every day are severely burnt, so much so that they must be admitted to a specialist burns service, with around 5000 toddlers per year having to go through this. Today, in conjunction with National Burn Awareness Day and the Children’s Burns Trust, we want to raise awareness on how the home environment can be made a safer place by utilising Thermostatic Mixing Valves.

What is a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV)?

TMVs blend both cold and hot water in order to maintain a set constant outlet temperature to ensure safe and comfortable usage of taps and other water outlets in the home. This is extremely important when members of the household are either young or elderly, making their skin thinner, so it is quicker to burn, and them having less ability to remove themselves from the scalding water.

 

How does a TMV work?

When a TMV is fitted in the domestic setting, this is in a bath or sink, the TMV uses its temperature sensor, which is fully immersed in the mixed water, to control the temperature. When this sensor expands or contracts, the correct proportion of both hot and cold water is maintained in the valve.

With the TMV failsafe function, the thermostatic mixing mechanism will automatically shut down the flow to prevent the discharge of dangerously hot water out of the outlet. This function becomes its most useful when those who have a reduced ability to perceive risk use the water outlets within the home. TMVs should thus be installed in areas where individuals are at the highest risk of scalding, making sure that the TMVs installed to meet all the specifications and standards and are correct for the type of property they are installed in.

Why is this important?

Every year scalding injuries cost the NHS £35 million, a cost that is rising year by year, however, this is not the biggest cost. Burn victims pay the greatest cost emotionally as the pain experienced by scalding can be traumatic, especially for those who are left with lifelong physical scars. Severe scarring may require frequent hospital admissions as it is associated with chronic pain, disturbed sleep, and continuous itching. The physical scars can trigger psychological and social problems, with both the young and elderly potentially having difficulty coming to terms with their changed appearances and others around them responding to that change. As a result of this, the victim of severe scalding and burning may develop social anxieties when they fear their scars are going to be exposed.

If you have any further questions about TMV’s you can contact our team on +44 01785 218 200 or via email at technical@altecnic.co.uk.

You can also view our short video introduction to all things TMV hosted on our YouTube channel.

If you would like more information on National Burns Day you can visit the Children’s Burns Trust.

 

Want to more information on TMVs? - Achieve bacteria prevention & anti-scalding from only one device