Having a well-balanced cold and hot water temperature while taking a shower is a must-have, especially after an intense workout or before you hit the sack after a stressful day at work. A Thermostatic Mixing Valve - TMV makes that perfect blend possible. But a TMV offers more than just the pleasure of a relaxing shower, including safety.
Here are some of the most common questions you need to know about thermostatic mixing valves.
What exactly is the function of a thermostatic mixing valve?
A Thermostatic Mixing Valve makes sure that the hot and cold water temperature flow in the shower is balanced. It regulates the temperatures of both, so that cold water does not freeze and cause thermal shock, and hot water does not boil and scald.
The mechanism in a Thermostatic Mixing Valve works by mixing the hot water and cold water according to the preferred temperature selected by the user. TMV's mechanism is thermal-sensitive, making it possible to mix just the right proportions of hot and cold water.
The TMV also compensates when there are changes in the water pressure or temperature, so it maintains the preselected temperature. And to prevent accidents, the TMV mechanism is also designed to shut down in case of a sudden cut in the cold water supply; TMV will also shut down in case the hot water supply fails.
Is sudden changes in water temperature a good thing?
No, because it can bring harm to the body. Since your water temperature has been regulated if you are using a thermostatic mixing valve, there would be no risk of this happening to you or anyone using the shower.
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Who should use a Thermostatic Mixing Valve?
You can use it personally in your own home. If you own a business where people use your facilities, and you want them to use it safely, such as a hotel, motel, medical care facility, and gyms, it is highly recommended that you install thermostatic mixing valves as per law and also for the concept of duty of care.
What are Legionella bacteria, and why does it matter in this discussion?
The Legionella bacteria is the root cause of Legionnaire' Disease, a lung infection that a person catches through infected water droplets. You can kill the bacteria in hot water at 60 degrees celsius. A thermostatic mixing valve can regulate the water temperature at that level, thereby making sure that the bacteria is dead and that the water would not scald.
Testing the Thermostatic Mixing Valve
Depending on the type of TMV, the procedure for testing the device will involve measuring the mixed water temperature, then separating the cold water supply to the TMV. If, after five seconds, the water is still flowing, the temperature will be checked if it is below 46 degrees celsius.
If the change is no more than 2°C from the original temperature setting and TMV's fail-safe is still functioning, then no service is needed. Otherwise, a full-service of the TMV is required.
