Douglas Delabie says its new Securitherm thermostatic single lever mixers ‘provide safety and comfort for patients and retirement home residents’, with the ‘ergonomic’ mixers featuring a single control to open the water flow and adjust the temperature.
The company said: “The Securitherm thermostatic mixer’s distinguishing feature is its single, sequential control lever. The same lateral movement opens the valve, and controls the temperature. The valve opens and closes with cold water, which reduces the risk of scalding considerably.”
Douglas Delabie says that, ‘unlike other thermostatic mixers, initially the mixer draws only cold, potable water from the system’.
The company said: “The only way to reduce the risk of Legionella colonies developing is to produce and distribute hot water at high temperatures. However, the associated scalding risk increases considerably with hotter water, particularly in healthcare facilities and retirement homes where residents may have reduced sensitivity or slower reflexes. Securitherm mixers reduce this risk by offering optimal anti-scalding safety. The mixer incorporates a thermostatic cartridge which ensures stable temperatures regardless of pressure or flow rate variations. A maximum temperature limiter, which users cannot override, set to 41°C, ensures optimal safety, and eliminates any risk of scalding.”
The Securitherm also incorporates an anti-scalding failsafe whereby the hot water shuts off instantly should the cold water supply fail. Similarly, if the hot water supply fails, the mixer shuts off the cold water, ‘avoiding cold showers’.
The Securitouch technology incorporated is specially designed for patients, people with reduced mobility, and the elderly and young children. The entire mechanism is covered in a highly insulating material, which reportedly eliminates any risk of burning through touching the mixer.
While (Douglas Delabie says), ‘the bodies and spouts of most mixers and taps have rough cast interiors with niches where bacteria can develop’, all the Securitherm’s internal parts are ‘completely smooth, significantly slowing bacterial development.’
The optimised spout height is designed to reduce the risk of retro-contamination through bacteria splashing back onto the mixer. The spout features a hygienic flow straightener with a honeycomb design in a scale-proof material. Compared with a ‘traditional’ aerator, scale is said to take ’10 times’ longer’ to build up.
With some hospitals using 300 – 450 litres of water per person per day, Douglas Delabie says the Securitherm mixer can achieve water savings ‘of up to 60%’ compared with conventional mixers. The company said: “The flow straightener is set at 5 litres / minute at 3 bar, offering significant water savings and maximum user comfort. The water savings also result in energy savings, lower flow rates, and water consumption, while, with less water needing to be heated, lower capacity pipework and water heating equipment can be installed. Moreover, lower water volumes in the system overall reduce the risk of bacterial proliferation.”
