New homes to feature protection from hot water scalding

All new homes are to feature inbuilt protection from hot water scalding in baths and will use water more efficiently from October this year.

New build homes will have protective devices fitted to baths to limit hot water temperature, and will need to meet a new minimum standard of 125 litres of water per person per day to improve water efficiency.

Amendments to Part G (sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency) of the Building Regulations were laid before Parliament last week.

Housing minister Iain Wright said: “The measures I announced today for all new build homes will limit the temperature of hot water in baths, which is where the vast majority of scalding injuries occur. This will really help to protect vulnerable people.”

The main amendments to the Building Regulations are:

• the requirement that baths in new homes are fitted with protective measures, such as a thermostatic mixing valve, to limit the temperature of the hot water.

• a water efficiency standard of 125 litres per person per day for new homes.

• extending existing safety measures to all types of hot water systems (not just vented systems).

• setting out where greywater and harvested rainwater can be safely used.