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Thermostatic mixing valves play a big part in our day to day life – even if many may not recognise their importance. They are important because they can prevent people from being scalded or burned by hot water.
Thermostatic mixing valves – or TMVs – are fittings installed within the pipe work before an outlet such as a tap or shower and the temperature of the water coming from it. Thermostatic mixing valves are sometimes also known as blending valves because they blend hot and cold water to a safe temperature.
When put this simply it’s clear how essential this piece of kit is to prevent scalding and ensure general water safety and control in all manner of settings, including bathrooms and washrooms.
Aside from general home use, where TMVs have been required in new bathrooms for more than a decade now, after changes to building regulations. Hospitals and schools are key examples of where Thermostatic Mixing Valves are key to public safety. Thermostatic mixing valves used in healthcare settings have to comply with TMV3 regulations. The main difference between TMV2 and TMV3 is the speed with which the valve responds to changes in temperature or loss of water pressure. The TMV3 valve is just a little bit quicker.
Intatec have long supported the need for regulation and awareness around TMV’s, with more than three million copies of our ‘Everything You Need to Know About Anti-Scald’ booklet now distributed via trade counters and leading independent builders and plumbers merchants.
Basically, thermostatic mixing valves work by blending a hot water feed cold water feed into a single warm water feed. Retro fitting a TMV in the hot and cold water feeds means that any water outlet can become temperature regulated, even old bathroom or sink taps.
Broadly, there are two types of Thermostatic mixing valves. These are TMV2 and TMV3.
The main difference between the two comes down to water pressure and speed of operation.
TMV2 is primarily used in domestic environments and works with water pressure from 0.1 – 5 bar.
TMV3 is used in commercial settings and works with water pressure up to 10 bar.
An important differentiation between the two comes from the requirement for TMV3 in healthcare settings.
TMV3 certified valves for the healthcare sector comply with the high performance standard, NHS/DH, D08, whereas TMV2 certified valves for the domestic market comply with the performance standards BS EN 1111 and or 1287.
Inta has invested in decades of research and innovation to ensure its TMV products are TMV2 and TMV3 compliant. Approved products include factory preset temperatures to prevent the output temperature being modified by accident and the valve becoming a victim of misuse, but all also include a safety cut-out which immediately shuts off the outlet in the event of either hot or cold supply failure, thus preventing the risk of scalds.
Our Thermostatic TMV 3 non-concussive tap combines two crucial features which have not previously been brought together, representing a crucial technological advancement in the world of water temperature control.
The first-of-its kind tap combines time flow control, which prevents water wastage with thermostatic control, which allows accurate blending of water temperatures.
These safety and economically focused changes are key for the industry moving forward, especially when considering the mass usage involved in the healthcare and busy washroom environments.
The prevention of water wastage is an economic no-brainer and Inta’s work to make this a key priority in the design of the Thermostatic TMV 3 non-concussive tap will have a tangible impact on reducing this over the coming years.
The thermostatic control element of the tap is compliant with both TMV3 and D08, in keeping with Inta’s long term commitment to advancing anti-scald technology and to meet and exceed legislation.
For installers, the valve will provide significant time and effort savings, while the consumer will have a much easier and safer end experience and on top of that, they’re really easy to install.