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#1 Posted : 23 January 2006 15:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By NatashaL
Hi
I have started with a company who provide training. A member of staff has asked me to find out the legal requirements in regards to hot water systems within the workplace.
We have shower facilities in the workplace for students/staff to use and it was to check to find out the correct temperatures that should be used.
I have been on the HSE and other websites and I have noticed that it says that the maximum temperature for distributing water at washbasins is 41 degrees and for storing hot water the temperature should be above 60 degrees to control legionella.
In the morning the temperature of the water exceeds the 41 degrees when no one has used the showers or sink, but throughout the day when more people are using them the temperature drops right down.
Could anyone advise the best way to control this – i.e would thermostatic mixing valves need to be put in place at all taps/showers or would hort water signage be sufficient?
I would be grateful for anyone’s advice on this.
Natasha
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#2 Posted : 23 January 2006 16:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tony Gladman
The 41 degree h.w. draw-off temperature is used where vunerable people are at risk of scalding, generally residential care homes, hospitals and schools. Hot water should be stored at 60 degrees C (legionella), but drawer off temperature to baths. basins and sinks is controlled by using blender valves which mix hot and cold water down to 41 before it leaves the tap. Shower temperatures are normally controlled by thermostatic mixer valves. In the nursing home, school environment these again can be fitted with in-line blenders to ensure max temp is not exceeded. Thermostatic shower valves that comply with CIBSE (TM3) can exceed the temperature, most can be overidden by the user. The valve normally has a stop button which has to be pushed=in to allow the valve to allow a flow of hotter water.
As far as I am aware they are not a requirement in the workplace, although you could argue that they may be best practice.
TG (Member of The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers)
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