The Optitherm thermostatic tap from HORNE includes a variety of features which help to prevent the spread of infection, including facilitating good management of the water system.
Good water system management reduces the risk of colonisation (and infection) by waterborne bacteria and fungi such as Legionella, Pseudomonas and Aspergillis. Hot water supplies should be maintained around 60°C for thermal disinfection while cold water systems should be maintained below 20°C as many organisms are dormant at lower temperatures. Biofilm may form on the inside surfaces of the pipework and adapt to the prevailing temperature and flow conditions. Upsetting the equilibrium of these conditions – such as periodically increasing the velocity of the water flow – destabilises the biofilm formation, breaking it down and effectively shearing it from the pipe walls. Regular flushing of water supplies will achieve a higher velocity flow and this procedure can be simplified using the Optitherm flushing kit.
