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What is a thermostatic mixing valve?
A thermostatic mixing valve, or TMV, is installed in the hot water feed pipework in commercial environments. The TMV blends the cold and hot water feeds to deliver water to the user at a warm but safe temperature. TMVs ensure the water leaving the hot tap isn’t so hot that it might scald or burn the end user.
How to adjust a thermostatic mixing valve
A TMV has three pipe attachments: one for the hot and cold feed coming into the TMV and a mixed, ‘warm’ feed leaving the TMV and feeding the tap. You will also see a cap sticking up from the small unit on the thermostatic mixing valve. Once you remove this cap, you’ll see a small Allen key opening that can be turned left or right. This is to adjust how warm to cold you would like to blend in the warm exit feed.
After adjusting, you must run the hot tap and use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water leaving the tap.
Where is the TMV located?
Usually, thermostatic mixing valves are located beneath the wash basin or within the vanity unit. Some sophisticated taps also have thermostatic mixing valves integrated into the tap unit. In some scenarios, a thermostatic mixing valve may have been used to service more than one wash basin, in which case the TMV may not be directly beneath the hand wash area. If you are installing TMVs as part of a new refurbishment project, you can see our guide on how to install a TMV.
What temperature should my hot water be?
Hot water must be stored at least 60ºC to kill Legionella and other harmful bacteria. There will be some drop in temperature by the time it gets down the pipes and out of the tap, but ordinarily, we would expect this drop to be about 10ºC. The advised temperature for hot water in a commercial setting is 50ºC, with healthcare settings sitting slightly higher at 55ºC.
If you would like further advice on thermostatic mixing valves or managing hot water supply, contact one of the Commercial Washrooms team on 01202 650900.
