Medical Taps
Medical basin taps for use in all hospital and healthcare settings.
Medical taps used in hospitals and healthcare environments must comply with strict regulations and undergo rigorous testing to reduce the spread of infection. In other words, you can’t simply use any tap, as this runs the risk of contaminating the premises. You can choose from elbow taps for a hospital with long lever arms, which enable easy use with an elbow or a closed fist, or sensor-operated taps, which can operate automatically and run for a preset amount of time (timed flow).
Our selection of medical basin taps is suitable for various healthcare environments, including dentists' and doctors' surgeries, medical clinics, laboratories, and schools. They comply with the applicable regulations, including HTM 04-01 (Safe Water in Healthcare Premises) and HTM 64. Some of our medical tap products include an integral thermal mixing valve (TMV3); however, if they do not, we recommend purchasing a separate TMV3 valve to ensure anti-scalding and safety.
We work closely with the UK's leading tap manufacturers to offer the largest selection of medical basin taps online. Our suppliers include Armitage Shanks, RADA, Delabie, Twyford, Bristan and Inta. Our stock is rigorously tested to ensure full compliance with the UK's strict water and NHS regulations.
All tap prices are displayed online and available for rapid delivery throughout the UK.
Many common questions and general advice on Commercial Taps can be found by reading our blog on Washroom Taps and hygiene. Articles of particular relevance include:
Understanding hospital washroom categories
Understanding HTM 64
HTM 64 and HTM 04-01 - a guide to medical tap and basin regulations
We also offer a range of additional washroom products for healthcare environments, including hospital sinks, medical basins, ambulant toilet packs, and other disabled washroom sanitaryware.
Our team can provide specialist advice on the ideal medical tap for your healthcare environment. We can also advise on and specify the accompanying medical basin or hospital sink, as well as the IPS panel set, to suit the project's needs. Feel free to contact the team for independent specialist advice, including guidance on the recently launched PBV (Pressure Balancing Valve) initiative, which is contained in Ideal Standard's new Markwik taps (A7905AA and A7909AA).
Looking to refurbish your healthcare facilities? Here at Commercial Washrooms, we offer a Supply and Fit service to bring your project to life! Improve your medical facilities with our high-quality products and specialist washroom refurbishment team.
FAQs
What is a medical tap?
A medical tap is a type of tap used in healthcare environments, such as hospitals, surgeries, and other areas where strict infection control measures are in place. In terms of operation, they will either be sensor-operated, releasing water when a user’s hands are detected, or feature long levers that users can operate with their elbows.
By eliminating the need to touch the taps with your hands, you can reduce the spread of bacteria and contamination, which is essential in healthcare environments.
Medical tap features
- Easily removable parts - many medical taps feature removable spouts for sterilisation, and you can also disassemble the tap body to disinfect the area thoroughly.
- They may feature a Bioguard outlet to fight bacteria.
- Long levers - if you opt for a lever-operated medical tap, the levers are longer so that they can be operated with an elbow. This is why they are also often referred to as elbow taps.
- Many medical basin taps feature an integral thermal mixing valve (TMV3), which combines hot and cold water to prevent scalding. If you find a product that lacks this feature, you can purchase TMV3 valves separately to install with the appliance.
What types of medical basin taps are there?
Typically, you’ll find two main styles of medical taps. These are:
- Sensor taps - some medical taps can operate automatically, releasing water when they detect a user’s hands. This is a hygienic option, as no contact is required to operate the taps.
- Lever taps - medical lever taps feature a single long lever that can be operated with elbows (which helps prevent the spread of bacteria on hands).
You can find deck-mounted and wall-mounted medical basin taps to suit your requirements.
Why choose medical taps?
Medical taps are ideal for environments where hygiene is of utmost importance. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying them:
- Long lever taps help to prevent your hands from getting contaminated, as you can operate them with your wrists or elbows.
- They’re easy to clean - most medical taps are designed so that you can easily remove their parts and clean the whole sink area.
- It may be necessary for the working environment: your workplace may need medical taps fitted to comply with health and safety regulations.
- Medical taps are suitable for dental, medical, veterinary, and healthcare facilities, as well as for use in laboratories and decontamination areas.
