Case Studies

The Douglas Controls Treatment for Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust's Stoke Mandeville Hospital, located on the edge of market town Aylesbury, has long been known for its pioneering work concerning burns and plastics treatments, acute spinal injuries, critical care, and the excellence of the treatment it provides its patients,

As part of an extensive new-build project on an adjacent 'brown field' site, three blocks of new hospital related facilities have been completed.

These include a circular rotunda, a main block featuring new acute wards, day surgery and therapy rooms, plus a pharmacy and a u-shape block including a mortuary. All the new buildings are linked together and are in keeping with the hospital's existing architecture.

Project architect firm was HLM Architects of Guildford.

As part of preferred partnership agreement to provide high quality products and services at best value prices, a selection of Douglas Avance Elite thermostatic shower valves and Economix TMV's and were specified for ward shower rooms, en-suite and assisted bathrooms.

User safety, ease of installation and sustainability were key criteria, and is highlighted in the Avance Elite's modular construction - the DZR valve body has a serviceable cartridge extending useful in-service life.

The Avance Elite is suitable for high and low pressure and certified under the TMV3 Scheme to NHS Estates model engineering specification Do8.

The Douglas Controls' products were prefabricated as part of the Inform Manufacturing IPS panelling system, simplifying installation and delivering a lower cost, best buy package.

Building contractor was Alfred McAlpine.

M&E Contractor was Haden Young, Tamworth.

IPS panelling supplied by Inform Manufacturing of Brighouse, Yorkshire.

Solution

Douglas Controls' Avance Elite thermostatic shower mixing valves with lever action ensured ease-of-use, reliable performance and significant water savings via its regulated flow of 10 litres per minute.

The Avance Elite has a single sequential action; the single lever control opens through cold to allow hot water to mix to deliver a safe maximum hot water temperature. This maximum hot water setting is adjustable by the commissioning engineer, and cannot be over ridden by the user.

The Avance Elite is suitable for high and low pressure and certified under the TMV3 Scheme to NHS Estates model engineering specification Do8.

Also, Streamline high specification flexible height shower kits were installed for quality performance and their modern styling.

In addition, an anti scald Economix Combi thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are installed at each wash basin to deliver safety and comfort with hot blended water at 41oC. The Economix Combi version incorporates angled isolating and non return valves, stainless steel mesh filters and ¼" BSP pressure tapping points.

The Economix is certified TMV3 certified.

Result

Ajay Sharma, project leader at HLM Architects commented:

"As for all the facilities, key criteria for the installed shower related fitments were providing reliable user safety, strong design with low maintenance, and value for money."

"Other important considerations for the washing and shower facilities were water-efficiency and quality fittings that would minimise any potential risk of Legionalla and MRSA - vital considerations where patients are particularly vulnerable. The Douglas Controls' products met all these considerations."

About the Douglas Controls' products installed at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

• Avance Elite thermostatic shower mixing valve - the ideal choice for a single point shower application.
  
  High performance unit, it's efficient and durable.
  
  A unique product suitable for all UK systems as one product fits all.
  
  An integral 10 litre per minute flow regulator combines high performance showering with effective water utilisation, lowering water and energy costs.
  
  The adjustable swivel inlet elbows are a distinctive feature. They make the unit easy to install with flexibility to accommodate building tolerance, so it's ideal for retrofit applications.
  
  Its attractive, contemporary design, in a chrome finish, means it's suitable for houses, hotels, student halls of residence, healthcare applications, homes for the elderly, sports/leisure facilities.
  
  With recessed or exposed fittings options, the product can be used for vented/unvented systems and combi boilers, offering flexibility and easy specification.
  
  The Avance Elite works on high and low pressure - TMV3 certified, fail-safe temperature control is assured.
  
  Single control operation means unit is easy-to-use, while maximum temperature limitation ensures total safety, even in high-risk applications.
  
  Serviceable cartridge enables simple, low cost maintenance.
  
  The centres are fully adjustable to suit most retrofit applications.
• Thermostatic mixing valves (TMV3) - approved under the BuildCert scheme tested to TMV3 standard, meeting NHS Estates specification (DO8).
  
  Appropriate for higher risk and healthcare applications.
  
  Scaldings are wholly avoidable.
  
  TMVs are used extensively to provide safety and comfort to users across a wide range of commercial applications.
  
  Douglas Controls' TMVs, Hydromix and Economix, are designed to prevent scalding by reducing to a safe level the hot water temperatures delivered to a bath, shower, basin or bidet.
  
  Typically, 'safe' water temperatures are: baths - 44-46 degrees C; showers/basins 38-41 degrees C; bidets 38 degrees C.
  
  Hot water temperatures in excess of these will cause scalding
  
  Hot water stored in a domestic situation will typically be emitted in excess of 60 degrees C - a potential scalding risk.
  
  With a range of fitting options including a combi valve solution, installation problems are overcome, combining low maintenance with durable performance.
  
  Used in baths, basins, showers and bidets, they ensure washing safety in all health care premises, care homes, schools, sports centres, factories, prisons and domestic housing.
  
  Chrome finish.
  
  Hydromix 15/3 and Economix 15/3 are licensed for healthcare use under the requirements of HPW/S/B and LPW/S/B for wash hand basins, showers, bidets.
  
  Hydromix 22/3 and Economix 22/3 are licensed for use in filling baths at high pressure HP/T44 (44 degrees C).
• Streamline flexible shower kit - high spec fittings, precision-engineered for constant quality performance, modern styling.
  
  Multi-mode design with four varying spray patterns and a wall outlet in chrome or white.
  
  Easy to clean and maintain with 'run clean' spray nozzles, replaceable spray cartridge.