HEALTH & SAFETY
www.heatingandventilating.net
How plumbing and heating can deliver health and wellness
Richard Bateman, UK product marketing manager at RWC, discusses how plumbers can offer products that provide a higher quality of life and comfort
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nstallers and plumbers can provide a wide range of products that are not only efficient and safe, but also beneficial to the health
and wellbeing of customers and occupants. To name a few, there’s thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), automation smart sensors and controls, and underfloor heating (UFH) systems, all of which create an altogether more comfortable space and offer convenience for end-users. As more heating and plumbing
systems become smarter and automated, installers should be mindful of the many ways smart and innovative products can assist homeowners and the occupiers of commercial spaces.
Safety from below
Many people consider underfloor heating to be a luxury, but it is slowly gaining in popularity and being accepted as a viable heating solution. The performance benefits of UFH are well known, such as enhanced energy efficiency, improved heating performance, more interior space, and more comfortable heat but the additional health benefits are still relatively unknown. For example, installing RWC’s JG Underfloor can help to minimise dust mites and therefore limit the overall amount of dust particles in the air, which is beneficial to those with respiratory conditions. Similarly, the lack of radiators removes the possibility of children being burned or colliding with them. UFH is expected to rise in demand by 4.7% every
year between 2022 and 2027, which means that plumbing and heating professionals will be inundated with enquiries and demand for this method of central
Protection comes first
Any hot water system in new builds will be incomplete without a thermostatic mixing valve. These valves mix hot and cold water to a temperature that prevents scalding while allowing hot water systems to operate at high enough temperatures to prevent legionella bacteria from breeding. As explained in Part G of the Building
Regulations and the TMV2 Scheme, TMV2 approved valves can be used in residential, industrial, and public buildings. In the event of a failure in the cold or hot water supply to the valve, the TMV will shut down – known
heating installation as the energy efficiency and health advantages become more well understood. With the use of gas gradually being scaled back in
new builds and gas boilers being phased out by 2025 alongside the Government’s ambitious 2050 goal of zero emissions – UFH has enormous appeal.
as fail-safing. This feature is a practical way to avoid scalding, as well as a protective feature for the elderly and children who are vulnerable. Within the TMV2 scheme group mixing to multiple
Richard Bateman, UK product marketing manager at RWC
outlets from a single TMV is permitted. You should size the TMV to the correct flow rate required based on the demand needed. A good example is the Heatguard BF2-2 Sports TMV, which can be used to blend and supply more than one outlet. Installers are required to install a TMV inside a household in accordance with the regulations mentioned above; but aside from just compliance, correctly commissioned TMVs provide safety and comfort too. To ensure that the commissioning valve is installed under normal operating conditions, plumbers need to alter the TMV factory temperature settings (which will be preset to 38°C) to the appropriate outlet temperature needed such as; - 41°C for a washbasin or shower - 44°C for a bath (unassisted) - 46°C for a bath (assisted) - 38°C for a bidet
38 September 2021
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