Health and Environmental Effects of Boiler Management Systems in Social Housing

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a passive safety measure, namely a reduction in centrally controlled hot tap water temperatures in social housing using a boiler management system, as an effective public health intervention.

Detailed Description
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The annual hospital admission rate in England for burns and scalds is 31 children per 100,000 population. While reducing the temperature in domestic hot water tanks is a recommended injury prevention strategy, the UK has been slow to adopt such 'passive' safety measures. However, Camden Council employs a Boiler Management System (BMS) in boiler houses to centrally set the hot water temperature for parts of its social housing stock, providing the opportunity to evaluate various impacts of a 'passive' safety measure, including quantifying the effects of the BMS on average hot water temperatures at delivery, annual energy costs, and annual greenhouse gas emissions; modelling the reduction in scald injuries; identifying the cost-effectiveness of the system as a public health intervention; as well as describing experiences/ perceptions of risk of scalding and identifying health and social benefits of the BMS. Boiler houses with BMS will be randomised to remain at their constant set temperature or to BMS reduced temperature and sterilisation programme. A process evaluation will also be undertaken to assess the acceptability of water temperatures to tenants.

Official Title
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Randomised Controlled Trial of Boiler Management Systems in Social Housing in Camden: An Assessment of Health, Environmental and Economic Outcomes

Conditions
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Hot Water Burns (Scalds)

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: BMS and sterilisation programme


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Individuals living in social housing in the London Borough of Camden where the Boiler Management system has been installed. Exclusion Criteria: Aged under 18 years

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: BMS and sterilisation<br>BMS and sterilisation programme will be delivered | Other: BMS and sterilisation programme<br>* BMS with reduced hot water temperature and sterilisation programme<br>|
| No Intervention: BMS standard water heating<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thermal energy (degrees Celsius) at hot tap of bath |  | after 1 minute | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Acceptability of hot water temperature delivered to tenant |  | Up to 2-3 months post-intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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tap water temperature, social housing, scald reduction, Temperature (degrees Celsius) of hot tap water at point of delivery.