HEALTH & SAFETY
boilingpoint R
unning or working in a plumbing and heating business involves adhering to many codes and pieces of legislation to ensure your installation work is compliant
and safe. In some cases, these codes and guidelines can become confusing, especially when you are unsure if they are required or simply recommended. John Thompson, chief executive of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) discusses.
Thermostatic mixing valves mix hot and cold water to a temperature that prevents scalding
Installers should always check the temperature of the water once the TMV has been set and fitted, to make sure the valve is working properly.
Live smart and healthy It’s no surprise that, with smart technology illuminating homeowners’ lives, this well-known trend has not only caught on, but is poised to soar in value in the coming years. Installers now need to integrate smart devices into their offering to provide customers with the latest technologies as everything around us becomes connected, more effective, and more efficient. From the standard wall thermostat to a wireless one that can be kept anywhere
in the home, smart controls give homeowners the option to set the temperature within different heating zones from the convenience of a desktop device or a mobile app. Zoned heating helps eliminate the problem of temperature variations which is common with single-zone residential heating systems. Having control over the temperature in each zone makes for increased comfort throughout the home which is another selling point for installers to offer convenient products.
Know your options
Since there are so many options, plumbers should consider overall health and safety when deciding which products to use. People all over the world have become more aware of the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle in recent years. And at RWC we believe it is important to concentrate on the wellbeing of end users. All of the RWC brands manufacture long-lasting products, lowering the risk of
leaks or unsafe temperatures and pressures in heating and plumbing systems, ensuring the structural integrity of the installations is intact for years to come, while keeping people and properties safe. Following a year of uncertainty, 2021 will undoubtedly bring in new technology
and products for installers. Whatever these innovations may be, it is critical for the plumbing and heating professionals to stay current on industry and product changes in order to provide customers with the best choices.
The performance benefits of UFH are well known, such as enhanced energy efficiency, improved heating performance, more interior space and more comfortable heat but additional health benefits are still relatively unknown
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The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations are designed to protect consumers and the environment from poor water quality, unnecessary waste, misuse, and the contamination of water supplies. All water installations in the UK need to comply. The regulations set legal requirements for the design, installation,
operation, and maintenance of water fittings, systems, and appliances. They have been designed to prevent drinking water contamination and prevent misuse, waste, undue consumption, and erroneous measurement. All water systems must comply with these regulations and can be subject
to inspection and must be ‘of an appropriate quality and standard’. Problems that may be caused by poor plumbing practices, incorrectly connected pipework or inappropriate fittings and concerns include leakage; leaching of metals (e.g. lead); increased microbiological activity, including the possible presence of pathogenic organisms; back-contamination of the water supply or other parts of the system. It’s therefore crucial to have an approval in place and demonstrate compliance. This will satisfy water authorities, specifiers and contractors that the product has undertaken the required testing, and meets the necessary design requirements for its use. Being able to advertise an approval mark also gives a product a competitive
advantage over alternatives. During the process of approval, products undertake rigorous testing, and the certification decisions are made by experts in the industry. For instance, Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) is the most well-known approval in the industry. Though nowadays, water authorities refer to products having to comply with Regulations rather than specifically to WRAS or any other way of demonstrating product compliance. In 2013, the UK Government adopted new European legislation that brought
about key changes in bathroom regulations. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) made it mandatory for companies to carry the CE mark on relevant products. A manufacturer is breaking the law if it doesn’t comply with the legal requirements of the CE mark criterion. However, if you knowingly or otherwise, install non-approved products, you’re also breaking the law. All products should also be supplied with a Declaration of Performance
(DoP) detailing the actual performance characteristics of the product that have been verified. It’s important to note that the Water Industry Act 1991 gives water
companies legal power of entry for carrying out inspections, tests or measurements on water fittings to determine whether the regulations have been met. Failure to comply with the fittings regulations is an offence and may result in a fine up to £1,000 per violation.
It can be tempting to consider a cheaper service proposition for a
bathroom design and build, but reducing costs by compromising on products, materials and fittings that don’t meet the standards outlined by the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations can put your customers at risk, and can present you with problems in having to carry out expensive remedial work.
www.aphc.co.uk
September 2021 39
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