DIGITAL HOT WATER SOLUTIONS

ARMSTRONG IS A TRUSTED GLOBAL LEADER IN

INSTANTANEOUS HOT WATER GENERATION, DISTRIBUTION AND
PRECISION TEMPERATURE CONTROL
With in-depth knowledge and experience that spans more than a century, Armstrong understands your
hot water system dynamic in ways no one else can.

DUTY OF CARE
Any building that is used by people other than the owner, the owner or manager has a legal
responsibility placed upon them to ensure that others can use the building safely. Additionally, Building
Services professionals have a “Duty of Care” to ensure that hot water generation and distribution
systems are designed, installed, serviced and expertly maintained so that risks from scalding or bacterial
infection are reduced and kept to an absolute minimum.
Despite this a significant number of building occupants are still injured or die every year because of
these risks. Example : In August 2012, a tourist staying in an Edinburgh hotel (Scotland) was severely
scalded whilst showering and died later in hospital after 6 weeks in intensive care. The hotel operator
was recently forced to pay a six figure compensation to the family of the victim.

Chart 1 - Length of time for hot water to cause 3rd degree burns
Temperature Time Time
(°C) (adult) (child under 5)
38 ° cool bath average bath
39 ° average bath warm bath
50 ° 9.5 minutes 4.5 minutes
52 ° 2 minutes 1 minute
54 ° 30 seconds 10 seconds
56 ° 15 seconds 4 seconds
58 ° 5 seconds 1 second
65 ° 1.8 seconds 0.5 second

Figure 1 - Effect of temperature on

bacteria growth
MANAGING THE RISK
70 Instant death of bacteria
The major risks related to the provision of hot water in a
building are the risk to users of scalding from too hot water Death of 90% of bacteria
60 within 2 minutes
and Legionnaires’ Disease. Both problems are linked as one
directly affects the other. 50 Death of 90% of bacteria
within 2 hours
The usual method for controlling Legionnaires’ Disease is to 40
Optimum temperature for
keep water hot. However, increasing hot water temperatures 30 growth of bacteria
to kill bacteria brings an increased risk of scalding, which 20 - 45°C
must also be controlled. You can see from the chart 1 and 20
figure 1, that risk can be readily managed by ensuring the 10
hot water delivered to bathrooms is no higher than 52°C. At
this temperature Legionella bacteria cannot multiply, and will 0 Bacteria survive inactive
die over time, and a serious scald, even for a child, will take °C
a submersion time of minutes rather than seconds to occur.
LEGIONELLA GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
There are a number of codes of practice and applicable guidelines for the control of Legionella, often
with similar advice - that hot water should be stored at a temperature of at least 60°C and distributed at a
minimum of 50°C.
Examples of applicable guidelines:
• ASHRAE Guideline 12-2000
• ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Legionellosis : Risk Management for Building Water Systems
• UK Health & Safety Executive HSG274 Part 2 : The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Hot and Cold
Water Systems
• US Dept. of Labor – OSHA Technical Manual, Section III, Chapter 7, Legionnaires’ Disease
As explained in HSG274 the risk of scalding at 50°C is low for most people so point of use thermostatic
mixing valves, after an appropriate risk assessment, can be safely removed, if circulating the hot water
at this temperature. For Elderly Care Homes and Healthcare facilities, it is recommended that the
temperature out of the fixtures should be further reduced to 43/46°C, depending on the type of fixture.
Armstrong understands the Legionella Guidelines, and how to apply them, and we have the hardware to
keep your hot water system compliant and the monitoring and recording software to prove it.

In the right conditions

a few Legionella bacteria
can grow from a few cells
to a colony of millions
within 8 - 10 days.

YOUR ADVANTAGE
The ability to, very accurately, deliver tempered water at 52°C to the entire hot water network greatly
reduces the risk of scalding from every fixture. This can remove the requirement for thermostatic mixing
valves (TMV’s). Eliminating TMV’s from bathrooms reduces room entry necessary for maintenance, which,
in the case of hotels can cause revenue loss, or in hospitals increase risk of bringing dirt and bacteria
into the medical space. Even if the decision is to use a TMV’s, by limiting the hot water temperature to
the fixture, increased safety is guaranteed in the event of a TMV failure.
The advantage, to the owner, of eliminating or reducing the number of TMV’s in the building, is that the
cost of installing the hot water system is greatly reduced - often by around 50%.
Circulating the hot water around the building at 52’C, rather than 60’C, saves energy - by reducing the
heat losses in the hot water loop and thus the cooling load on the building.

ALL ADVANTAGES PROVIDED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE ARMSTRONG BRAIN® DIGITAL
RECIRCULATING VALVE !
THE BRAIN® DIGITAL RECIRCULATING VALVE (DRV)
Armstrong introduced digital water temperature control to the world with The Brain® Digital Recirculating
Valve (DRV). Engineered exclusively for recirculating hot water systems, The Brain® simplifies your hot
water system to deliver unparalleled accuracy, stability and safety. It offers programmable temperature
alerts and a program to promote compliance with recommended Legionella guidelines..

FEATURES
• Designed specifically to be the primary water temperature controller in a continuously pumped
circulating hot water system in a commercial building.
• Digital technology provides enhanced water temperature control accuracy regardless of whether a
circulating system is simply idling or maximum draw-off is taking place.

Performance
• +/- 1 °C control
• 0.5 °C minimum system temperature loss
Smarts
• Component self-diagnostics
• Programmable set point & alerts
• Programmable Thermal disinfection
Safety
• Over temperature shutoff
• Power failure shutoff
• Emergency mode

Global Acceptance
• Marriott International has selected The Brain®
as its corporate standard domestic hot water
temperature control device for all new hotels.
Connectivity
• Integral Modbus RTU interface (The Brain®)
• SAGE® - Building System interface module
- Web Enabled
- Modbus
- BACnet™
- LonWorks™

The Brain® can be installed as the final temperature control device before the hot water leaves the plant-
room or be used to create control zones within the building to simplify balancing, improve circulation and
easily manage a thermal disinfection regime. The Brain® is also a retrofit to existing problematic hot water
systems.
BUILT-IN HOT WATER SAFETY FROM THE START
With integrated systems for generating hot water, as below, now common, maintaining accurate
temperature control can often be difficult. The installation of the Brain® between the hot water generation
plant and the user is an intelligent system operation protocol that will ensure the comfort and safety of
users at all times and from every bathroom fixture.
6.10 Combination of solar, heat pump and gas fired DHW generation (Typical)
THE BRAIN WITH SOLAR & HEAT PUMP & BOILER
®

52 °C

REX DUAL 30

HEAT PUMP

The Brain® is designed to be the final temperature control device for any hot water generation system.

DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEM BALANCING

The improper balancing of hot water flow and return circuits can cause long lengths of stagnant water
in the pipework. This increases Legionella growth risk and wastes utilities due to users having to wait
for extended periods for hot water. Rather than controlling the circulation of the complete hot water
system from the plantroom it is beneficial if the network is divided into manageable zones. A zoned
hot water system will be simple to balance system; which will maintain accurate temperature control at
all demand conditions, ensure good pipeline velocities around the whole circuit and make any thermal
disinfection regime easy to manage. A Digital Recirculating Valve complete with its own dedicated hot
water recirculating pump can be installed to control the hot water flow and return temperatures for each
designated zone, which could be a single floor or a group of floors or risers.
THE BRAIN® - ZONING
Using the Brain’s® unique ability to control accurately with a small differential temperature, between the
valve outlet and hot water return, it enables the design of shorter recirculation loops, and so maintain
tighter control of the loop temperature, keeping in the “Safe” zone of 52/50°C.
The design of the hot water system for high-rise buildings can be challenging. Due to high static water
pressures in the risers, which need to be reduced before being delivered to the fixtures, it can mean
having to install a pressure reducing valve to each room in the building.

THE BRAIN® - SINGLE & MULTIPLE FLOORS - LOW RISE

6.7 Zoning a DHW System - By Single or Multiple Floors (Low Rise Buildings)

The Brain
Legend :

BV Balancing Valve
IV Isolation Valve
Recirculation Pump

The Brain

6.9 Zoning a DHW System - By Single or Multiple Risers

THE BRAIN® - SINGLE & MULTIPLE RISERS

Legend :

BV Balancing Valve
IV Isolation Valve
PRV Pressure Reducing Valve
Recirculation Pump
The Brain The Brain
To reduce installation and ongoing maintenance costs it is possible to create low pressure temperature
control zones in the building, using only two Pressure Reducing Valves per zone, as shown below. A
small brazed plate heat exchanger acts as a barrier between the high pressure riser and the low pressure
zone/loop serving the room fixtures. Any temperature loss in the low pressure recirculation loop is made
up via the heat exchanger. During demand periods hot and cold water is reduced in pressure before
being blended in the Brain® and sent at a safe temperature to the fixtures.

THE BRAIN® - SINGLE & MULTIPLE FLOORS - HIGH RISE WITH

PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

6.8 Zoning a DHW System in a High Rise Building - By Single or Multiple Floors

High Low
Pressure Pressure
Legend :
The Brain
CV Check Valve
BV Balancing Valve
IV Isolation Valve
PRV Pressure Reducing Valve
Recirculation Pump

High Low
Pressure Pressure

The Brain

Armstrong can deliver a tailor made solution for any zoning requirement. A pre-packaged system from
Armstrong will ensure a simple and time efficient installation that will operate correctly the first time,
every time, with minimal or no commissioning.

Digital Mixing Centre with duty/ stand-by Brains

Zoning package with Plate Heat Exchanger & PRV’s for installation in a ceiling void
 THE FUTURE OF HOT WATER
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
IS HERE.

SAGE® raises utility system management to a groundbreaking new level by

enabling you to maximize equipment reliability, efficiency and safety.
The powerful software uses our patented algorithm as it analyzes data to track
behavior and performance, making SAGE® the most advanced tool for smart
thermal utility monitoring, measuring and reporting available today.

SAGE® IS AN INTEGRAL PART

OF YOUR COMPLETE
HOT WATER SYSTEM SOLUTIONS.

SAGE® was engineered

to work seamlessly
with all of Armstrong’s
real-time monitoring
products, including
The Brain®.
SMART SYSTEM MONITORING, THE BRAIN® AND SAGE®
SAGE® works seamlessly with The Brain® as it analyzes data to track behavior and performance as an
integral component of a hot water system operation protocol which complies with a Standard of Care.

FEATURES
Simple, effective monitoring, logging and remote alerting of key temperature control components of a
hot water system safety risk management plan, for a modest monthly fee.
• Dashboard Monitoring – In real time.
• Secure Remote Programming – You are in control.
• Multi-location View – All properties simultaneously or filtered.
• Temperature and System Diagnostic Alerts – In real time.
• Digital Documentation and Recordkeeping – For as long as you want to retain it.
BENEFITS
• Safety – Early warning system if hot water temperature do not meet specification.
Patient/guest/student safety.
• Compliance – Track and document hot water system behavior and performance to ensure compliance
with global hot water safety system guidelines implemented to reduce the risk of Legionella.
• Performance – SAGE® is programmed to track warranties, recommend/remind service intervals and
communicate/suggest manufacturer recommended parts replacements provides hotel owner/operator
room compensation protection.

DOCUMENTATION &
RECORDKEEPING
Establish documentation and
maintain records.

CONTROL LIMITS
Establish limits within which
a chemical or physical (water
temperature) parameter must be
monitored and maintained.

MONITORING
Establish a system for monitoring
the parameters associated with the
control limits.

Hot water storage temperature

Mixed outlet from the Brain® to rooms

Brain controls accurately to better

than+/-1°C no matter the demand

Hot water return temperature

Drop in temperature indicates large

instantaneous hot water demand as
cold water enters the Brain
PACKAGES TO SUIT YOUR INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS
Armstrong International manufactures a range of Digital Hot Water Solutions that incorporate all the
advantages of The Brain® – Accuracy, Simplicity, and Connectivity.

Digital-Flo® Water/Water:
• Delivers blended hot water at
+/- 1˚C, even at very low flows
• Water temperature raised
above Legionella survival
levels on every recirculation
cycle

Digital-Flo® Semi-Storage:
• Delivers blended hot water at
+/- 1˚C, even at very low flows
• Water in the tank is raised
above 70˚C, which greatly
reduces the risk of Legionella
proliferation in the tank
• Delivers a 25% higher peak
flow compared to a standard
system with the same size tank
• Enables the use of smaller
tanks, thus a reduced footprint
• Energy efficient - tanks are
insulated with 100mm glass
fibre
• Buffer vessel in 316L stainless
steel
Digital-Flo® Vertical Semi-Instantaneous Steam/
Water Heater:
• Pre-Piped Digital Hot Water Generation and
Control Solutions
• Featuring The Brain® Digital Recirculating Valve
• Choose from 16 standard assemblies or
customize
• Compact vertical design
• Small footprint
• Simple tube bundle access
• Optional SAGE® Building System interface with
integral data-logging
• Water temperature raised above Legionella
survival levels on every recirculation cycle

All Armstrong Digital-Flo hot water generation packages are compatible with the optional SAGE® Building
System interface with integral data-logging.

REGARDLESS OF THE METHOD YOU USE TO HEAT WATER, WE HAVE THE INTELLIGENT
SOLUTIONS YOU NEED.
Our experts will show you how to avoid scaling, improve efficiency and safety.
ARMSTRONG DOES IT ALL.
We can solve your problems and prevent them with a packaged solution designed specifically for your
unique parameters. We offer a full range of individual state-of-the-art products, including: water heaters,
water temperature controls, hose stations and ancillary accessories such as storage tanks, pressure-
reducing valves and more. From a complete, fully integrated hot water system for a new installation to
custom-engineering and turnkey solutions for each of your existing buildings worldwide, Armstrong is
your single source solution.
 INTELLIGENT SOULUTIONS IN STEAM, AIR, AND HOT WATER

Armstrong International
Europe / Middle East / Africa
armstronginternational.eu

© Armstrong International, SA Bulletin 435-A/Eng 08/17