What are the Dangers of not installing or maintaining TMV Valves?

Every year, thousands of people suffer serious thermal shock or scalding injuries in their bathtubs, sinks and showers. Additional untold numbers become ill due to water-borne bacteria, such as Legionella.

Often, injuries in the shower are caused by slips and falls in reaction to a sudden increase or decrease in water temperature. Ideally, if the supply of cold or hot water is lost, the water flow should be shut down immediately. Termination of flow would eliminate the instinctive but dangerous reaction to move quickly away from a too hot or too cold water stream.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves maintain and limit mixed hot water to a desired, selectable temperature, helping to minimize scalding.

More than 90% of scalding incidents occur in the home. The tender skin of very young children and the slow reaction time of the elderly and the handicapped make them most vulnerable to serious hot water burns. Scalding injuries are tremendously painful, and the effects can last for years. Scalding occurs for a variety of reasons. In some cases, water heater thermostats are faulty, or set too high. In others, temperature regulating valves at the domestic hot water source are either malfunctioning or missing altogether. Water heaters are normally set to temperatures above 55°C to prevent development of harmful bacteria, such as Legionella, in the water supply. Water at temperatures above 41°C is painful. At a temperature of 55°C a child can be scalded in less than 4 seconds.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves maintain and limit the mixed hot water to a desirable selectable temperature, helping to prevent scalding injury.