Hot Water Safety in Schools
Find out how the use of thermostatic valves, regular legionella inspections, and constant access to running water all contribute to hot water safety in schools.
Regulating Hot Water Out Of Taps In Schools
According to the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, hot water at the point of use must not pose a scalding risk to users. One of the ways that schools can safely regulate hot water is with a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV).
TMVs allow users to set the delivery of water at a safe temperature by blending hot and cold water before it comes out of the tap – for schools, the Building Bulletin 87, 2nd Edition Version 1 (May 2003) recommends water at the sink should be 43°C, meaning a TMV value should be set to 41°C to account for any inaccuracy.
What Temperature Should Schools Store Hot Water?
Health and safety risk assessments should be carried out to ensure hot water in your school’s plumbing doesn’t carry the risk of illness (in particular legionella) through improper heating and storage. Schools should have a legionella risk assessment carried out every one to three years.
To prevent legionella infection (a bacteria found in water droplets), The Water Hygiene Centre states that hot water should be heated to at least 60°C and distributed to all parts of the system at no less than 50°C to minimise the risk of passing on legionella.


Hot Water And Hand Washing In Schools
Running water is legally required at school, with hot water particularly important when it comes to washing hands. However, studies show old plumbing systems mean it can take a long time for hot water to reach the tap. This means the child has already washed their hands and left before they’ve had a chance to wash their hands with warm water.
The Public Health Agency states that a school should not open in the absence of hot and cold running water. In the event that water supply is interrupted during the school day, it is the headteacher or school maintenance team who need to ensure there is an adequate amount of water available for the time it takes for water supply to be reinstated.
Ensure The Proper Heating Of Water In Schools With Asbury Heating
This blog post goes to show how essential hot water and its management is in school settings. Managing hot water all starts with an effective heating system. Trust Asbury to recommend the right boiler and heating system for your school so you can implement the right health and safety measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of your students and staff. Give us a call today on 01202 745189 to discuss your school’s heating with one of our friendly engineers.