Formed to provide an independent forum for bathroom manufacturers in the UK to properly discuss matters of mutual interest, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has targeted thermostatic temperature control for electric showers as one area in need of clarity.
With no government legislation in place for thermostatic showers, the BMA’s own guidance offers a clear and achievable description to which manufacturers can work.
Triton has announced that every one of its range of thermostatic electric showers is fully compliant with the BMA’s new thermostatic definition.
Importantly, the BMA defines a thermostatic electric shower or water heater as: ‘An appliance which heats water on demand whilst the water is passing through it, which compensates for variations in the pressure and, or temperature of the incoming water supplies to maintain a selected blend temperature’.
This contrasts with the numerous thermostatic electric showers available from some shower manufacturers, which can only compensate for fluctuations in the outgoing water supply. By monitoring the incoming supply of water, a shower can achieve a much more stable water temperature throughout its daily use.
Steve Saunders, senior technical manager at Triton, said: “The BMA’s interpretation of thermostatic is a great benchmark for the industry’s manufacturers to aim for as it promotes maximum safety. A little known fact among many installers and their customers is that a number of thermostatic electric showers from other manufacturers only compensate for temperature and pressure inconsistencies on the outgoing water, rather than the supply feeding into the shower as well. This, of course, limits just how effective the shower may prove to be when it comes to delivering the comfort and safety its user requires.
“Given the rise in inclusive bathroom solutions, it is vital that safety is put at the heart of product development, and this is something we’ve taken very seriously with our own range of thermostatic electric showers. The standard may not be mandatory, but it certainly provides a solid roadmap for manufacturers to follow.”
