3.5.3 - Protection from burns
The Regulations provide a Table showing
the maximum allowable temperatures of surfaces which could
be touched and thus cause burns. The allowable temperature
depends on whether the surface is metallic or non-metallic,
and on the likely contact between the hand and the surface.
Details follow in {Table 3.1}.
Table 3.1 Allowable surface
temperatures for accessible parts
(taken from [Table 42A] of BS 7671: 1992)
| Part |
Surface material |
Max. Temp (°C) |
| Hand held |
Metallic |
55
|
| |
Non-metallic |
65
|
| May be touched but not held |
Metallic |
70
|
| |
Non-metallic |
80
|
| Need not be touched in normal use |
Metallic |
80
|
| |
Non-metallic |
90
|
Other measures intended to prevent water
and hot air systems causing burns are contained in Section
424, which was added in the 1994 amendments. They include
the requirement that the elements of forced air heaters
cannot be switched on until the rate of air flow across
them is sufficient to ensure that the air emitted is not
too hot, and that water heaters and steam raisers are provided
with non self-resetting controls where appropriate. The
suitability for connection of high temperature cables must
be established with the manufacturer before cables running
at more than 700C are connected.
Special attention must be paid to the likely
temperature of hot surfaces where they may be touched by
the very young, very old or the infirm.
|