COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (119) issued by COI News Distribution
Service on 13 May 2009
All new homes will
feature inbuilt protection from hot water scalding in baths and
will use water more efficiently under measures announced by
Housing Minister Iain Wright today.
From October this year all 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 today.
Iain Wright said:
"Hot water scalding in baths is a real risk particularly for
groups like children and the elderly and the Government has been
committed to finding a way of doing more to protect people from
these injuries.
"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.
Iain Wright added:
"Homes account for a quarter of the country's carbon
emissions so it's essential we tackle this as part of our
efforts on climate change. Water plays an important role in
making homes more sustainable, and the measures we announced today
will help make new homes even greener as part of our commitment to
zero carbon homes from 2016."
Notes to editors
These amendments to Part G (sanitation, hot water safety and
water efficiency) of the Building Regulations follow a wide
reaching review and consultation on the detailed proposals in May
2008 and a consultation in December 2006 on the water efficiency
for new buildings.
In addition, we are also today publishing
the Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings that will be
used to estimate water usage for the purposes of both Part G of
the Building Regulations and for the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Copies of the both documents have been placed in the House
library.
Communities and Local Government will also shortly be
inviting bodies to apply for authorisation of competent person
schemes to support the amended Part G and the new requirements on
water efficiency.
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