Are London plumbers cutting anti-scald corners?

The capital’s jobbing plumbers avoid fitting anti-scald valves where they can, according to a series of mystery shops undertaken by Inta at merchants in London.

TMV2 thermostatic mixing valves should be fitted to the bath in any new domestic bathroom, or bathroom refurbishment, to reduce the risk of serious injury or death. But whilst contractors and developers are purchasing significant quantities of anti-scald devices for larger jobs, sales across the trade counter to individual plumbers remain low.

At long established ironmongers and merchants HE Olby in Lewisham, South London, the Inta mystery shopper heard speculation that plumbers are only fitting anti-scald valves in situations where the installation will be inspected.

Joseph Burton, who has been working on HR Olby’s counter for 23 years, said: “Whilst our colleagues in the warehouse send out hundreds of anti-scald valves for large contracts, here on the trade counter we rarely sell any.

“I also think that there are so many regulations and new rules that it’s difficult for plumbers to keep up with the very latest legislation. There’s definitely still work to be done informing them why anti-scald valves are a necessity. The trouble is that the public also aren’t generally aware that a new bathroom requires TMV2 protection by law either.”

In the past five years, 51 people have died in the UK as a result of bathtime scalding. Three of them, so far in 2011. In the same period 820 have survived with serious injuries.

Inta director Darran Bougourd added: “As there is unlikely to be any government campaign to promote awareness of the risks of bathtime scalding, it’s up to the industry to make our colleagues and contemporaries aware of the regulations and the real life reasons to fit anti-scald valves.”

Inta has produced a booklet ‘Everything you need to know about anti-scald’ which is freely available across the counter at plumbers’ and builders’ merchants. Anyone wanting a supply for their counter should contact Inta directly.

Posted on 24 November 2011