News
Anti-Scald – What do merchants know?
18/01/06
Intatec manufacture Anti-Scald valves with TMV2 and TMV3 accreditation, and with the imminent arrival of new regulations in Scotland, which will be closely followed by regulations for England, Northern Ireland and Wales, those will be two important accreditations to look out for.
We support our products with a whole raft of not only product specific technical information, but generic Anti-Scald information too, so if there’s anything at all anyone wants to know about Anti-Scald in the UK all they need to do is ask Intatec. It’s not only our Technical Department that knows what they’re talking about either – the entire Sales Team knows exactly what’s what.
But what do merchants know? Obviously the people we speak to all the time know the difference between TMV2 and TMV3 – but how about the rest?
We sent out mystery shoppers. Not just to one or two merchants, but to 275 right across the country. From Glasgow and Edinburgh, where they really should know their stuff, all the way down to the south coast. We sent them everywhere; Wales, the Midlands and to more than thirty merchants in London.
Posing as a customer, whose bathroom is being re-fitted, our shoppers wanted to know what the choices were to keep their children safe from scalding in a bath and in a separate shower.
So how many merchants do you think were able to tell us that there are two main choices for baths are either a concealed valve that fits below the bath, utilising existing taps, or a combined bath shower mixer that fits into standard bath tap holes? Fifteen. That’s right 15 out of 275 counter staff offered a choice. To start with, counter staff in half of the merchants had no idea what anti-scald or thermostatic valves are. Not a clue. That’s not saying the branch had no idea, just the person who was dealing with our mystery shopper. But it’s still not brilliant.
Considering that, how did they get on with that searching question “Are there any regulations that I should be following?” The correct answer is not right at the moment, although there will be soon – in Scotland, very soon. An excellent answer would have added – but it’s considered best practice to fit the valves now anyway. Just eight people knew the facts. Exactly the same number who said there were regulations right now. The vast majority – 71 per cent said that they didn’t know.
(table Are there any Anti Scald regulations
yes 6%,
don’t think so 4%
Don’t know 71 %
Not til next year 6%
Probably are but don’t know what they are 13%)
Overall, we think that’s shocking. But we’re going to do something about it. We’ve decided to provide specifiers, merchants and fitters with everything they need to know about Anti-Scald equipment, all in a handy pocket sized booklet. Something they can use to refer to themselves or pass on to customers. We’re calling it “Everything you need to know about Anti-Scald.” It’ll be free to customers and will be in merchants soon. If you’d like a copy or a supply for your counter, please contact sales@intaco.co.uk they’ll be out very soon. If you really can’t wait to know more, speak to the Intatec sales team on 01889 207200.
ENDS
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com