The Optitherm thermostatic tap from Horne has numerous features which help to prevent the spread of infection, including facilitating good management of the domestic 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 60C for thermal disinfection while cold water systems should be maintained below 20C 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. The risk of bacterial infection from the water supplies can also be reduced by thermally disinfecting terminal fittings.
A new adaptor for the Optitherm tap has been developed to enable the complete disinfection, by thermal means, of its internal surfaces and thermostatic mechanism. A new animation illustrates how the hot water supply can be rerouted through the cold inlet port thus allowing complete disinfection as per the requirements of L8, Legionella Control Approved Code of Practice. This Thermal Disinfection Adaptor will be demonstrated and the new animation available on USB stick at the Horne Stand S15 at IPS in Bournemouth, 20-23 September 2011.
