HEALTHCARE WATER SYSTEMS Armitage Shanks says its
non-thermostatic Markwik 21+ Comfort SQ PBV mixers are designed to dispense water at a safe temperature ‘in suitably risk-assessed healthcare environments’.
Anil Madan and Ideal Standard
Anil Madan joined Ideal Standard, part of the Villeroy & Boch Group, in 2017 as a Product manager, and is now UK Non-Residential Marketing manager for Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks. With over 25 years’ B2B marketing experience, and over 15 years working in the commercial sanitaryware sector, he has a broad understanding of the needs of healthcare professionals, installers, and end-users. In his role, he manages the Armitage Shanks brand range of specialist healthcare and commercial fittings and sanitaryware. Ideal Standard
International describes itself as ‘a world-leading manufacturer of high- quality residential, commercial, and healthcare bathroom solutions’. The Brussels- headquartered company employs over 7,000 people, operating at eight manufacturing sites, and serving over 100 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The right tool for the job The core difference between PBVs and TMVs lies in the technology behind each system. PBVs use a ceramic sleeve and shuttle system to balance pressure. When water pressure fluctuates, the shuttle moves within the sleeve to adjust hot and cold water flow, maintaining a steady outlet temperature. This is a relatively straightforward system, which makes it simpler to operate and maintain. In contrast, TMVs are more complex. These systems regulate water temperature by mixing hot and cold water using a thermostatic element. While they offer more precise temperature control, their more intricate mechanics mean that they require regular checks and ongoing maintenance. This level of precision makes TMVs critical in high-risk areas like operating theatres or intensive care units, where patient safety is paramount. While TMVs remain essential in high-risk settings, PBVs present a more cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative in non-critical care areas such as patient washrooms, staff facilities, and certain wards. One of the most significant advantages of PBVs is their lower maintenance requirements. Although all taps and mixers in healthcare environments require periodic checks, TMVs demand more frequent maintenance due to their complexity. PBVs, classified as manual taps, are not subject to the same level of scrutiny under NHS guidelines such as HTM 04-01: D08 Supplement, yet they still meet the anticipated changes in HBN 00-10 Part C (expected this year). This difference reduces both maintenance time and costs, allowing valuable funds and staff time to be spent elsewhere. The sequential mixing design of PBVs allows hot and cold water supplies to flow smoothly, and prevents stagnation, helping to maintain cleanliness, and minimising the risk of infection. In high-risk environments, where the likelihood of infections is much greater, TMVs are still the right choice, but PBVs provide a viable solution in lower- risk areas.
Complementary roles While PBVs and TMVs serve different primary functions, they complement each other in maintaining a safe and efficient water system, and clever specification can make it simple to minimise costs while complying with healthcare regulations.
Standards guiding this specification have been continuously updated. The British Standards Institution (BSI) recently introduced BS8580-2, a new standard for risk assessments related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
60 Health Estate Journal June 2025
and other waterborne pathogens. This standard offers healthcare providers a crucial framework for managing bacterial risks that pose significant health threats in hospitals and other medical settings. Effectively controlling Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires well-designed, carefully specified equipment that allows healthcare providers to maintain a balance between patient safety, cost efficiency, and sustainability. For healthcare estates, lowering maintenance costs is essential for financial sustainability. With ongoing funding challenges and labour shortages in the care sector, reducing maintenance demands can free up both time for overstretched maintenance staff and budget resources, allowing healthcare facilities to focus more on patient care. As the availability of skilled professionals to manage complex plumbing and heating systems declines, solutions that minimise maintenance requirements are becoming increasingly valuable. PBVs provide a practical advantage by simplifying routine checks, and also reduce the need for specialist intervention, making them an effective choice for healthcare settings. The advantages of specifying PBV mixers go beyond immediate cost and maintenance savings. With the growing demand for care services, many providers are expanding facilities or upgrading infrastructure to meet the needs of an ageing population. Future-proofing these spaces calls for flexible solutions that can adapt to evolving regulations and operational requirements. PBVs provide a scalable, long-term option that seamlessly integrates into both new developments and refurbishment projects, ensuring that healthcare facilities remain efficient and compliant in the years to come.
Design considerations for ease of installation and use In addition to their operational and cost benefits, some PBVs are designed with ease of installation in mind. Armitage Shanks has streamlined the process by ensuring that its non-thermostatic Markwik 21+ Comfort SQ PBV mixer can quickly, easily, and cost-effectively, replace an existing Markwik 21+ TMV fitting, by simply swapping out the tap body and reusing the Markwik 21+ TMV spout and handle (for more information see
https://youtu.be/ I1PxQVsrABY?si=fnOT-eBkNM5EbyT3).
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