Triton Showers Supports Urgent Safety Alert On Start/Stop-Button Showerheads
Shower manufacturer Triton Showers, is supporting the call for third party suppliers of start/stop-button showerheads to provide clear warnings about their use with instantaneous electric showers.
This follows a recent safety alert issued by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), which outlines the potential consequences of using these showerheads with an incompatible shower. Electric showers have long been considered an energy efficient choice, drawing on cold water mains to heat water on demand.
However, using a showerhead with a start/stop-button feature restricts the water flow at the outlet without deactivating the heating elements, causing water within the appliance to quickly overheat to temperatures as high as 80°C. Once the shower is resumed, there is a serious risk of scalding water being released at a high pressure, which could lead to severe burn injuries.
Triton has reiterated the BMA’s concern that not all suppliers of start/stop-button showerheads are supplying clear warnings about their use with instantaneous showers – which amount for almost half of the UK’s showers – both at the point of sale and in product instructions.
David Tutton, Managing Director at Triton Showers, said: “As trends across social media and online marketplaces are driving a surge in demand for showerheads featuring a start/stop button, it’s essential that users are aware of the potentially severe safety hazards that could occur when used with instantaneous electric showers.
“When operating normally, and with manufacturer-supplied showerheads, instantaneous electric showers have multiple safety devices to ensure safe operation, yet these features are not able to effectively run when used with start/stop-button showerheads. We are pleased to see the BMA actively collaborating with Trading Standards authorities to address the lack of proper labelling and warnings to ensure both consumer safety and awareness of the consequences of incorrectly installing this type of showerhead.”
Triton supports the BMA’s recommendation for consumers to exercise caution and prioritise safety when purchasing and installing third party bathroom accessories, in addition to avoiding the use of start/stop-button showerheads on electric showers. If consumers are uncertain around their shower type or compatible accessories, Triton advises consulting their shower manufacturer’s website.
Consumers have been advised to purchase certified accessories that conform to Regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fitting) Regulations 1999 and Electrical Safety Standards EN 60335-1 and EN 60335-2-35 for instantaneous electric showers.
