Safety valves in hot water systems

摘要

As plumbing and heating installers, we're all aware of the dangers of legionella, and the need to maintain water temperatures around 60-70°C in order to kill it off. While this solves the bacterial health risk, it also gives rise to another hazard - scalding. Burns caused by hot water from taps is rising steadily according to NHS data, and bath water scalds are rated as one of the most painful experiences that can be endured. A number of factors might be contributing to this rise, not least the lockdowns which mean we're all spending more time at home. But even before COVID-19, there had been a big increase in multigenerational dwellings, with families looking after older relatives. Equally, there's been a big rise in multi-occupancy buildings - such as for students, which rely on pressurised cylinders to deliver a sufficient supply of hot water.