Scottish plumbers and fitters are ignoring regulations to fit anti-scald devices to new bathrooms according to a survey conducted by Intatec.

Since 2006, every bathroom refurbishment and new build bathroom in Scotland should be fitted with a thermostatic mixing valve to prevent serious injuries and deaths caused by bathtime scalding.

The survey carried out in Glasgow and Edinburgh questioned plumber's merchants on the sales of anti-scald valves since the regulations came into force and examined anecdotal evidence about plumbers' and fitters' attitudes to the changes.

Intatec manufactures anti-scald taps, valves and showers. The company's commercial director Cynthia Fisher said: "We looked at the situation in Scotland a year after the regulations came into force and found that there was only patchy awareness about the new regulations, and indeed about anti-scald.

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"Some merchants knew about it, some didn't. Our survey revealed that if a bathroom was subject to any official inspection, for example new build, anti scald valves were being fitted as matter of course. On the other hand, plumbers and fitters involved with refurbishments that involved no element of official inspection avoided anti-scald valves where they could."

One plumber's merchant who took part in the confidential survey said that plumbers wouldn't bother fitting an anti-scald valve if they thought they could get away with it.

The findings were presented to Michael Matheson MSP for Falkirk West who was responsible for bringing in the legislation. He has taken an interest in the controversial findings, asking for more information.

The initial Intatec survey was conducted face to face with a small number of merchants. The company has now commissioned a wider sample of opinion with an online survey launched this week.

Cynthia added: "We have commissioned the additional survey to ensure that the information we present to the Scottish Government is based on sound data. There is definitely a need for increased awareness in Scotland, not just with people working in the industry, but also amongst the general public. If more people know that anti-scald valves should be fitted, then they will demand them from those carrying out work in their bathrooms."

(GK/JM)