WATER HYGIENE AND SAFETY


regulatory standard. The TMV3 approval scheme provides assurance that a thermostatic mixing valve is tested and deemed safe to use in an NHS setting. This scheme applies to thermostatic mixing valves for use in high-risk commercial healthcare applications within the UK. These valves offer a high level of protection, reacting much more quickly in shutting off the flow of water if the cold water fails, or a safe temperature is exceeded. Testing bodies must ensure that the valve adheres to the NHS D08 regulatory standard, which ensures stable temperature output despite varying supply pressures and temperatures.


apply it to the scenario of a dormant ward being required to be


recommissioned due to it being needed to house vulnerable patients at short notice – a situation not uncommon during the coronavirus crisis. It is clear that in this instance, these steps and considerations impede the Estates & Facilities and Operations managers’ ability to act swiftly to recommission the treatment space with access to clean water, distributed at safe temperatures.


Other important factors taken into consideration when carrying out performance testing for TMV3 accreditation include: n The company/manufacturer applying for accreditation of the valve must prove its compliance with ISO 9001 (or an equivalent quality management system).


n The valve must feature the correct markings, making it identifiable in the field.


n The installation and maintenance documents must include information stated by the scheme.


It is highly recommended that, once installed, TMV valves are checked and maintained regularly (once a year), to ensure that they are still providing the required and intended scald protection. The outlet temperature should be tested to check that there is no significant change (≤2°C), and that the failsafe shut- off activates as intended. If the TMV does not meet these requirements, a full TMV service, plus recommissioning or valve replacement, will be required. The valve and filters, strainers, and any other components forming the device, should also be inspected, cleaned, descaled, and disinfected.


Importance of thermal disinfection – right up to the outlet


While this approach addresses the thermal disinfection of 95% of the water system, there are several places in which harmful bacteria can still form, and one of these includes the deadleg of pipe between the thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) and the outlet. According to the Health & Safety Executive’s L8 approved code of practice and guidance on the regulations document, Legionnaires’ disease, The control of legionella bacteria in water systems, operators should: ‘Consider the individual nature of the


66 Health Estate Journal April 2021


Altecnic says its Mixcal Careflo Plus TMV eliminates the need to take off the TMV to ‘flush’ out the whole system, making the process quicker and more efficient.


site and system as a whole, including deadlegs and parts of the system used intermittently. These should be included because they can create particular problems, as microbial growth can go unnoticed. When they are brought back online, they can cause heavy contamination, which could disrupt the efficacy of the water treatment regime.’ For this reason, it is recommended that:


n TMVs are installed as close to the water outlet as possible, mixing water at the point of use where possible.


n Multiple TMVs should be used in the case of multiple outlets; use of a single TMV increases the risk of bacteria growth.


Full thermal flushes of water systems, right up to the outlet, are also strongly recommended, to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the deadleg between the TMV and the outlet. However, this can be costly, and take considerable time, in a facility with multiple outlets and TMVs. This is because each valve will need to be bypassed in order to successfully complete the thermal disinfection.


Scenario of a ‘dormant’ ward As a ‘real-world’ illustration of the drawbacks of this traditional complete thermal disinfection method, we can


Facilitating thermal disinfection and reducing scalding risk


There is a TMV that is WRAS- approved, and TMV3/D08


NHS regulatory-certified, that allows easy thermal disinfection right to the outlet – removing the time and cost of recommissioning the valve. The Mixcal Careflo Plus TMV eliminates the need to take off the TMV to ‘flush’ out the whole system, making the process quicker and more efficient. Using a special tool and the manual override function allow thermal disinfection to be performed through to the outlets, enabling a complete, rather than a partial, flush, to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. The Mixcal Careflo Plus TMV has been designed and made to meet the requirements of BS 7942:2000 and the NHS model engineering specification D08 for use in healthcare settings, hospitals, care homes, and schools.


TMVs already play a vital role in keeping people safe by regulating water temperatures. With our new TMV, we are taking that safety role further, by making it easier for installers to carry out thermal disinfection as efficiently as possible. Like all our products, being part of the Caleffi group means that quality is instilled in all that we do. Our TMVs are trusted and reliable, as they are always authentic and accredited, giving peace of mind for merchants when it comes to providing great products and service to their customers.


Stephanie Allchurch


Stephanie Allchurch has been Product Development manager at Altecnic since February 2019, playing a key role in spearheading the development of Altecnic’s product offering. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in the plumbing and heating industry, with specialist knowledge in water regulations and product specifications.


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