BEAMA calls for action on scalding incidents
The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA) has raised its concerns over hot water after a guest was badly scalded at a hotel earlier this year.
The Association points out that this is far from an isolated incident, highlighting NHS figures of 718 admissions of patients injured by hot tap water in 2015 to 2016. This was up 672 from the previous year. Almost half the incidents affected children under 14 years old.
BEAMA recommends use of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). These are located near the sink, bath or shower unit and are designed to accurately control water temperature. The valves mix hot and cold water to produce the required blend, and also to maintain it at the user-selected temperature. The temperature of the water can also be a pre-determined safe level.
The Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04-01 Safe water in healthcare premises was published in 2006. It requires use of Type 3 TMVs in all UK care establishments such as hospitals and care homes.
BEAMA is encouraging all hotel and wider commercial facility owners to review their duty of care and associated risk assessments to make sure building users don’t face the risk of serious and painful injury.
