70% WATER SAVINGS WITH NEW TEMPOMATIC 3 CONTROLS FROM DOUGLAS GROUP

If everyone turned-off the tap when brushing their teeth, collectively in one week we'd save enough water to fill the Millennium Dome.

With water usage doubling in the last 20 years, water supply is an unpredictable, unevenly distributed resource. Each one of us uses 70% more water than 30 years ago.

But, a new generation of electronic controls - new Tempomatic 3 from Douglas Controls - provides a water-efficient solution, especially for commercial offices, shopping centres and healthcare applications. It offers the latest technology in non-touch operation of basin taps or mixers.

70% water savings

Water savings of up to 70% can be realised, when compared to typical washroom basin mixers, through the combination of automatic non-touch operation and factory-set flow rate (six litres per minute).

Also, Tempomatic 3 offers a 'total hygiene' solution - the non-touch operation prevents cross contamination, reducing the risk of transferring harmful - even life-threatening bacteria/viruses.

An infrared sensor mounted at the top of the solid brass body monitors presence, allowing the water to flow as soon as hands approach the sensor. When the hands are removed, water stops automatically.

On the basin mixer, the water temperature is user-adjustable with a manual selector lever (the company advises that a TMV - thermostatic mixing valve - should always be used to provide a safe Hot water temperature and protect building users from scalding).

Designed for ease of installation - single trade fix - Tempomatic 3 incorporates sophisticated electronics and solenoid valves and long life lithium batteries (250,000 to 300,000 operations - normally 3 to 5 years), all integrated within the head works. No other power source is required. Battery replacement is simple - by accessing a top maintenance cover locked by two concealed screws.

All Tempomatic 3 taps and mixers have an auto-shut of two seconds - the flow stops two seconds after hands are removed to rinse basin, reducing housekeeping time.

Finished in high quality chrome plate, Tempomatic 3 taps and mixers are available for basin or deck mount, wall or recessed applications.

Responsibility

Bob Purdom, Douglas Controls' commercial director comments: "It's vital that building designers/owners consider solutions that will effectively and efficiently utilise our water resources.

"They must also address the key water related issues to health and well being from poor hygiene control and associated risks of infection transfer by cross contamination, which impact on building users and washroom installations. Official statistics show that deaths caused by MRSA 'super bugs' doubled between 1999 and 2004.

"The European Water Charter reminds us of our responsibility. It says: 'Water is a common heritage and its value must be acknowledged by all of us. Everyone must save it and use it carefully.'

"It's an ethos Douglas Controls has pursued over 20 years, underpinning the development of a range of thermostatic shower and water control solutions for commercial applications under our Total Control Range."

About the Douglas Group

Doug Stammers founded family-owned business, the Douglas Group, during the early 1980s. With its key brand entities - Douglas Controls and ESSCO Controls - the company is based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

The Douglas Controls team is headed by managing director Richard Stammers. He is supported by commercial director Bob Purdom who has wide experience of the commercial sector.

About Douglas Controls - innovative Total Control Range Solutions

Offering the most extensive choice of controls available with emphasis on evolving its high quality Total Control Range, Douglas Controls provides a comprehensive service to the sport/leisure business, the healthcare and security sectors and most types of industry/commercial venture (eg housing associations, care homes, schools, universities, hotels/boarding houses, commercial buildings).

The brand continuously aims to produce and supply innovative, high quality - safe and affordable - products, providing excellent value. It is committed to excellence in product design and function, plus unrivalled service support.

Safe hot water and health issues are very much at the heart of the Douglas Controls ethos. Hence the company's commitment to TMV2 and TMV3 standards in reducing risk of scalding (nb young and elderly are most at risk) through correct installation of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) and health concerns associated with Legionella bacteria.

A founder member, Douglas Controls takes an active role in BEAMAEnergy's Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers' Association (TMVA), which promotes and addresses issues concerned with safe provision of hot water at point-of-use.

The company is also an industrial associate of SoPHE (Society of Public Health Engineers).