Mixing valves combine hot and cold water streams to produce an outlet temperature safe for use. They prevent scalding by regulating water temperature.
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) provide enhanced precision over basic tempering valves, playing a crucial role in plumbing systems. TMVs mix hot and cold water streams from your heater to a consistent and safe temperature for use in taps and showers.
TMVs introduce cold water into a mix chamber, which contains a thermostatic element that quickly adjusts to temperature fluctuations in hot water.
You can adjust the valve to precisely regulate the water temperature by varying the ratio of hot to cold water, ensuring a consistent and safe output. This finely calibrated control in degrees Celsius helps prevent scalding, providing water at a suitable temperature for washing, crucial in settings like hospitals and care facilities.
Grasping the importance of a dependable mixing valve is essential, given that a malfunctioning one can cause unstable water temperatures and dangerous spurts of scalding water. Installing TMVs can significantly improve your system’s temperature management and is vital for health and safety.
There are two main types of mixing valves used in plumbing systems:
Unlike TMVs which automate temperature regulation, manual setups necessitate continuous adjustment. A handle or dial manipulates the flow ratio, especially from hot to cold, to manage water pressure and temperature for the user’s desired warmth.
A significant drawback is that manual valves might require continuous monitoring to uphold safe temperatures, responding to any sudden pressure or temperature changes.
Valves with a thermostatic function, such as Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), automatically harmonise cold water hot to attain pre-set safe temperatures. How does the thermostatic sensor function? It gauges the temperature variations within the mixing chamber and recalibrates the valve accordingly for consistent output with both hot cold water.
TMVs offer advantages such as constant temperature stability, Legionella prevention, and no need for manual adjustments after installation.
It is crucial to note that TMVs are compulsory in high-risk settings like aged care facilities and childcare centres. Our licenced plumbers can install thermostatic mixing valves and certify your system’s compliance with stringent safety standards.
Pressure balance valve vs standard mixers, designed to maintain constant pressure between the hot and cold water supplies in showers, offer an advanced level of temperature stability. They work similarly to thermostatic mixing valves by blending hot and cold water, but have the added function of stabilising water pressure.
Pressure balance valves use a diaphragm to counteract pressure changes in hot or cold water, stabilizing the temperature. If pressure drops on one side, the valve can immediately adjust temperature and restrict hot water flows on the other side to keep the pressures equal, effectively responding to water pressure changes.
Installing a shower mixing valve is crucial to minimise the risk of scalding from sudden temperature fluctuations. If pressure only dropped on the cold supply, uncontrolled surges of water hot could lead to scalding accidents. By installing thermostatic pressure balance valves, this risk is prevented, dynamically adjusting flows to sustain a safe showering temperature for the water in your home.
Pressure balance valves offer long-term protection beyond that of standard shower valves by intelligently controlling temperature and pressure. They are more common in modern residential and commercial constructions to meet safety regulations.
TMVs feature a tempering function that automatically produces a stable mixture of hot and cold water for safety.
With tmvs installed, tempering capabilities include a thermostatic sensor that continuously measures incoming water temperature, blending the ideal mix to achieve the desired output temperature safely.
Key benefits of installing TMVs include:
For safety, regulations require tempering valve maintenance checks at least every 5 years. Our licenced technicians can ensure correct water flow by conducting a tmv tempering valve install and certifying them according to Australian regulations, offering you peace of mind.
Mixing valves, especially thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), play a critical safety role in both residential and commercial plumbing systems. By regulating your water heating and blending hot and cold water to a safe, consistent temperature, they help prevent injuries and fatalities from scalding.
TMVs are particularly vital in environments like hospitals, aged care facilities, and child care centres, where they help shield vulnerable populations by regulating temperatures appropriately. The valves safeguard against dangerously hot water by ensuring the maximum output does not exceed 50°C, suitable for taps and showers used for personal hygiene.
For homeowners, mixing valves are essential to prevent scalding from unpredictable variations in hot water pressure or flow. This safeguards all family members, with young children especially susceptible to severe burns.
TMV devices also aid in controlling Legionella bacteria by allowing hot water systems to be set to higher temperatures, preventing legionnaire’s disease. Although hot water storage exceeds 60°C, the valves ensure the mixed water temperature remains below 50°C for household taps when safety is a concern.
No plumbing system, especially in settings like hospitals or aged care facilities, is comprehensive without correctly installed and tested tempering valves. They are a simple but life-saving component regulating one of the most widely used utilities in any home or building – hot water.
Mixing valves should be strategically installed in both residential and commercial plumbing systems to help regulate water temperature before it reaches the taps and showers in your home.
In most homes, a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is installed close to the water heater itself. This allows the TMV to merge the hot and cold water together from your water heater with cold water entering the system to achieve a safe temperature water supply to the property.
Thermostatic mixing valves should be fitted near shower and bath outlets. This ensures a controlled temperature for your shower bath, vital to prevent scalding. Consider, for instance, mixing valves installed within the pipeline serving a bathroom’s shower or tub.
For facilities with special temperature control duties like childcare centres and nursing homes, TMVs must be fitted on all hot water delivery points. Each water outlet used for bathing, showering or personal hygiene should have a dedicated TMV to protect vulnerable occupants.
In commercial buildings like hotels and gyms, TMVs should be placed to supply consistent tempered water for all hot taps and showers. Centralised TMVs can supply whole banks of outlets at a controlled temperature.
Ideally, TMVs should be installed at every junction where hot and cold water meet and on supply lines to all high-risk tap and shower outlets. Our certified technicians can advise the most effective TMV placements.
In residential homes, mixing valves have important temperature regulation roles across kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and any other areas supplying hot water.
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) should be installed on the hot water lines supplying:
Each hot water supply line should ideally have its own TMV for precise temperature control. Additional TMVs on the main hot water line near the water heater provide whole-of-home protection.
Shower mixing valves with pressure balance capability also provide temperature stability during showers. Our certified plumbers can install TMVs in compliance with Australian plumbing regulations for your family’s safety.
In commercial settings like offices, healthcare facilities, aged care homes, hotels, and gyms, thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) play a crucial role in providing safe, tempered water.
Some key installation areas include:
Specialised facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and childcare must install compliant TMVs on all outlets used for bathing and sanitation. This is mandated by safety regulations to prevent scalding.
Commercial TMVs require stringent installation, commissioning, and annual maintenance to remain effective. Our licenced technicians can install, certify and maintain TMVs to Australian Standards so your business remains legally compliant.
There are important plumbing codes and standards in Australia that relate to the installation and maintenance of mixing valves in residential and commercial settings.
Within New South Wales, all mixing valve installations must comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA). Relevant standards covered in the PCA include:
Under the PCA, thermostatic mixing valves are required on water supply lines to high-risk facilities including childcare centres, nursing homes, and healthcare buildings. All TMVs need certification to Australian Standards by a licenced plumber.
When it comes to commercial buildings in Quakers Hill, Sydney, the National Construction Code also enforces special water temperature regulations as part of the Building Code of Australia. Verification and preventative maintenance of mixing valves may be required for occupancy approval and insurance purposes.
Our fully licensed plumbers can install mixing valves in accordance with the PCA, providing certification and ensuring the work is correctly executed. We also offer ongoing mixing valve maintenance services to commercial clients in the Quakers Hill area to ensure regulatory obligations are fulfilled.
There are a few key signs indicating your home may require a new or replaced mixing valve:
If you encounter any of these mixing valve issues, know that you can reach out to our team of licenced plumbers at Quakers Hill Plumbing. We can inspect your tempering valves or thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) and confirm if replacement or upgrades are required.
With over 25 years of experience, our team ensures all installations or replacements comply with the highest Australian plumbing standards. We also offer responsive maintenance plans and testing certification to keep your plumbing safety compliant for years to come.
Visit our website to explore solutions and prevent mixing valve issues from becoming hazardous. Call Quakers Hill Plumbing on 1300 349 338 for all your tempering valve needs.
It’s crucial to grasp what tempering valve does and have TMVs tested and maintained annually to ensure they continue operating safely and effectively.
During an annual TMV service, our licenced technicians will:
We issue updated compliance certification test after every annual TMV test to ensure your compliance with Australian Standard AS 4032.3 and NSW regulations. This provides assurance that your TMVs are working properly with reduced risk of failure.
For healthcare, childcare and aged care facilities in the Quakers Hill region, we offer tailored TMV maintenance under the TMV2 and TMV3 schemes. This involves more advanced TMV testing/inspection spread over 12 months to fulfil accreditation requirements.
Protect occupants and remain legally compliant - contact our team on 1300 349 338 to lock in your next TMV maintenance inspection.
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