PBVs in healthcare water safety and specification

In healthcare, infection control and patient safety are non-negotiable priorities. While effectively managing water safety is critical to reducing infection risks, balancing this responsibility with financial constraints and operational efficiency remains an ongoing challenge for both healthcare engineering and estate management personnel, and others with responsibility for the safety of the water system in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Reducing costs and emissions is a long-term journey for the NHS, but small, impactful changes can improve efficiencies now. By adopting innovative solutions from manufacturers, and ensuring their effective and consistent implementation, the benefits can be realised in the shorter term. One area where the balance between maintaining the healthcare facility's water system in a safe and hygienic condition, and the need to operate within tight financial constraints is particularly evident is with water delivery and management systems, where the pressure to maintain safety standards while controlling costs has led to the emergence of more efficient solutions.

Among these, Pressure Balance Valves (PBVs) are becoming an increasingly attractive option within the UK healthcare sector in suitable environments, especially when compared with the more traditional thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). While TMVs have long been the gold standard for maintaining safe water temperatures and preventing scalding, They offer a simpler, more cost-effective alternative for suitably risk-assessed environments such as non-critical care settings. PBVs offer advantages in terms of installation and maintenance, making them a valuable tool when seeking to balance safety with the ever-growing demands for cost savings.