A safety warning has been issued by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) about potential scalding when stop-button showerheads are used with instantaneous electric showers.
There has been a surge in popularity for showerheads featuring a start/stop button, says the BMA. While these present no issues for mixer-valve showers, which blend hot and cold water from separate systems, they can cause a significant safety hazard when used with instantaneous electric showers. Electric showers represent around half of all showers in the UK.
Start/stop-button showerheads with instantaneous electric showers are a problem because they stop the water flow at the outlet without deactivating the heating elements. This causes the water within the appliance to overheat rapidly, potentially reaching temperatures as high as 80°C. When the shower is resumed, scalding water can be discharged under pressure due to the abnormal stop at the showerhead.
The BMA is concerned that too few suppliers of start/stop-button showerheads are providing clear warnings not to use their products with instantaneous electric showers. Clear advice should be provided both at the point of sale and in the product instructions.
The association says that it is collaborating with Trading Standards authorities to make consumers aware of the dangers of this type of showerhead being incorrectly installed.
