MPs have welcomed the Government’s announcement that it is to change building regulations to ensure all baths in new houses have a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV).
Mary Creagh MP has played a key role spearheading the three year long ‘Hot Water Burns Like Fire’ (HWBLF) campaign to reduce scalding injuries in the home, along with BEAMA via its thermostatic mixing valve group – the TMVA – and the support of co-member the BMA (Bathroom Manufacturers Association), plastic surgeons and accident prevention charities.
Several MPs who signed the Wakefield MP’s Early Day Motion in 2006 to raise awareness of scald injuries applauded the change in the law as a significant step forward for home safety.
Attending a celebratory event at the House of Commons, they paid tribute to Communities Minister Iain Wright, who steered these changes through the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Pictured (left to right) at the House of Commons are: Dr Keith Judkins who leads on burn prevention for the British Burns Association (BBA); Mary Creagh MP; Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA’s Chief Operating Officer; TMVA’s Chris Gee and BMA Technical Executive Christian Taylor-Hamlin.
Dr Howard Porter commented: “The fact that this will mean the installation of TMVs in new-build homes will become law in England and Wales, and their safety benefits have been discussed – and recognised - at the highest levels is terrific news!”
The BMA’s Christian Taylor-Hamlin added: “The new regulations herald a step change in bathroom safety, helping to reduce scalding accidents. The BMA is always looking for ways to improve safety in the bathroom and our members welcome the revisions to the building regulations. We now need to make ALL householders aware that this relatively inexpensive device, the TMV, can be retro-fitted in ALL homes and will prevent scalding, particularly in the elderly and very young.”
Recently, Mary Creagh, Dr Judkins and representatives from the West Yorkshire Fire Service and Wakefield District Housing joined 13 year old scald victim Holly Devonport at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield to celebrate the success of HWBLF campaign – it started in Wakefield Burns Unit.
Annually, around six hundred people suffer severe bath water scalds, three quarters of whom are children. Every day a child under five is admitted to hospital with serious injuries resulting from scalding hot bath water. Fifteen pensioners a year die from burns from bath water.
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) will be fitted in all new build houses from October 2009. The valves set bath water temperature to a maximum of 48°C. This will allow a hot bath whilst minimising the risk of scalding. Similar legislation has been passed in Scotland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
10 July 2009 ends
Note to Editors
Changes to Building Regulation Part G were laid before the House of Commons in a written ministerial statement on 13 May 2009.
The changes to the regulations come into force on 1 October 2009. Building Regulation Part G now specifies that baths in new homes (including those created through change of use) incorporate measures to ensure that water is delivered at no more than 48ºC. The supporting guidance suggests the use of a thermostatic mixing valve to do this.
111 MPs signed EDM 1938 in the 05/06 session
(77 Labour, 15 Lib Dem, 9 Conservative, 6 DUP, 2 SDLP, 2 SNP).
BEAMA and the TMVA
The Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers’ Association is part of BEAMA. It has supported the introduction of hot water safety valves for many years and has been instrumental in the formation of the Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign.
Visit www.safehotwater.co.uk
Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign
Every year, in the UK, around 20 people die as a result of dangerously hot bath water in their homes - a further 570 suffer serious scald injuries.
Children, the young (especially the under 5’s), elderly and infirm are particularly vulnerable.
Hot bath water is the number one cause of severe scalding injuries among young children - and for scalds the bath is the number one killer.
But, scalding injuries are wholly avoidable via the installation of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), to prevent hot bath water scalds in the home.
The Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign is driven by the coalition of national children’s, elderly persons’ and safety charities, industry associations and experts.
Taking just seconds for a serious scald injury to occur, the young and the elderly are most at risk. Horrendous scald injuries, which could be avoided, are happening every day. Plus, there’s the long-term impact – the after-care, how families are affected.
Provisions for ‘Safe Hot Water’ have already been introduced in Scotland – so why not in England and Wales too?
HWBLF supporters include:
Children’s Fire and Burn Trust (CFBT)
Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT)
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
TMV Association
British Burn Association (BBA) Age Concern Help the Aged The Royal College of Nursing’s Emergency Care Association.
The TMV solution
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) control hot water to pre-selected maximum temperatures. The Scottish Building Standards Agency mandates that hot water is delivered at no higher than 48oC. TMVs will guarantee this maximum outlet temperature.
TMVs delivering hot water at 48oC, and below, will significantly reduce risk of scalds occurring in the home. By blending hot water (stored at temperatures high enough to kill bacteria) with cold to ensure constant, safe, outlet temperatures preventing scalding, TMVs in homes would prevent these horrific injuries.
While still allowing adults to enjoy a hot bath, and to top up a cooling bath with hot water.
More campaign information from www.hotwaterburnslikefire.org.uk and www.safehotwater.co.uk
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Media enquiries
Dr Howard Porter, BEAMA COO: on 07957 136770.
Victor Wheeler, cerulean communication;
Tel: 020 8441 2021; Fax: 020 8440 4070
victor@ceruleancom.co.uk
Issued on behalf of BEAMA, Westminster Tower, 3 Albert Embankment,
London SE1 7SL. Tel: 020 7793 3007; Fax: 020 7793 3003
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