AKW Arka TMV3 Cool Touch Mixer Shower with Care Accessory Kit

Product Overview

For care environments where scalding risk, ease of use, and suitability for people with a range of physical and cognitive needs must all be addressed together, the 25420CH combines AKW's TMV3 and WRAS-approved Arka thermostatic bar valve with the Care Shower Accessory Kit in a single supply. The valve carries both approvals as standard, making it suitable for NHS, local authority, and commercial care installation without the need for additional certification work on the valve itself.

The cool touch technology maintains the outer surface of the valve body at a safe temperature during operation, regardless of the water temperature being delivered — protecting users who may lean on or grip the valve while showering, including those with reduced sensation, dementia, or restricted movement.

Temperature and flow are independently controlled by two rounded, oversized paddle levers designed for use by people with limited grip, arthritic hands, or restricted upper limb movement. The temperature lever is factory pre-set to 38°C, with an installer-adjustable override limit of 41°C set during commissioning via internal limit rings. The flow lever operates the same way, with a built-in stop and override function, both adjustable at commissioning.

Integral double-check valves prevent backflow throughout. The valve body is polished chrome brass, connects via back-entry 3/4" or 1/2" BSP fittings at 150mm centres (+/- 22mm tolerance), and outputs through a central bottom G1/2" outlet compatible with standard shower hoses.

The included Care Shower Accessory Kit (30317CH) features a wall-mounted riser rail with elbow bracket fixings at top and bottom, a height-adjustable handset holder configurable for left- or right-hand mounting, a shelf with integrated hose retainer holes on both sides, a chrome handset with three spray settings, and a 2m shower hose.

The kit is WRAS approved, RNIB Tried and Tested, and holds Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) Dementia Design Accreditation, with a 150kg load rating on the rail. The elbow bracket mounting system provides a more robust wall connection than a conventional slider rail, suited to environments where the rail may be used for support during showering.

Please note: the Arka valve is capable of delivering up to 14 L/min at 3 bar. Before installation, confirm that the shower tray and waste outlet can drain at a rate equal to or greater than the valve's maximum output. Where the tray's drainage capacity is lower, a flow restrictor must be fitted. 

Benefits

TMV3 and WRAS Approval — Verified Safe Performance for Commercial Care Environments: TMV3 is the approval standard required for thermostatic mixer showers in care homes, NHS settings, schools, and other environments where vulnerable users are at risk of scalding. The Arka valve meets this standard as supplied and carries WRAS approval for water fittings compliance. 

Cool Touch Valve Body — Safe to Contact at All Times During Use: Unlike standard thermostatic bar valves, which can reach temperatures that cause burns on contact, the Arka's cool touch technology keeps the outer surface at a safe temperature during operation regardless of the water temperature being delivered. This is a meaningful safety feature in settings where users shower with reduced carer supervision, or where the user may use the valve body for support or balance.

Care Accessory Kit — Dementia Accredited, RNIB Tested, 150kg Load Rated: The 30317CH Care Shower Accessory Kit is designed specifically for use in care and accessibility environments. The elbow bracket mounting system provides a more secure wall fixing than a conventional slider rail. The handset holder is configurable for left or right-hand mounting, and the shelf routes the hose cleanly via retainer holes on either side, reducing trailing hose across the shower area. The kit carries DSDC Dementia Design Accreditation and is RNIB Tried and Tested, confirming suitability for users with visual impairment and cognitive needs, as well as those with physical limitations. The 150kg load rating provides confidence in environments where a range of users with different body weights will use the same installation.

Independent Paddle Levers with Override Protection — Balancing Safety and Flexibility: The 38°C standard temperature limit prevents accidental selection of higher temperatures during normal use, while the override function allows a carer or qualified installer to access up to 41°C when clinically appropriate. Both the temperature and flow limits are independently adjustable at commissioning, enabling the valve to be set precisely for each individual installation.

Technical Specifications

In the Box

• 1 x AKW Arka TMV3 Cool Touch Mixer Shower valve (25421-3)
• 1/2" BSP and 3/4" BSP inlet fittings
• Inlet covers and in-line filters
• Concealed wall fixing hardware
• 1 x AKW Care Shower Accessory Kit Chrome Rail (30317CH), comprising: rail, 2 x elbow brackets, 2 x elbow covers, height-adjustable riser with handset holder, shelf with hose retainer, chrome handset (21-005-108), 2m shower hose (21-005-097), wall bracket

Note: Installation and commissioning of the valve must be carried out by a suitably qualified engineer.

FAQs

What makes the Care Accessory Kit different from the Standard kit? The Care kit (30317CH) uses elbow bracket fixings at top and bottom rather than a conventional slider wall bracket, providing a more robust rail mounting suited to care environments. The handset holder can be configured for left or right-hand use, and the shelf routes the hose through retainer holes to reduce trailing hose in the shower area. The kit is RNIB Tried and Tested, holds DSDC Dementia Design Accreditation, and is load-rated to 150kg. It is designed for environments where users have physical or cognitive needs that require a more considered installation.

What water pressure does this valve require? The valve operates from a minimum dynamic pressure of 0.2 bar, making it suitable for gravity-fed systems as well as mains-pressure supplies. Maximum dynamic pressure is 5 bar; maximum static pressure is 10 bar. The pressure difference between the hot and cold supplies must not exceed 1 bar for correct thermostatic operation. Where supplies are significantly unbalanced, a pressure-reducing valve may be required on the higher-pressure inlet.

What is the maximum flow rate, and do I need to check my shower tray first? At 3 bar, the valve can deliver up to 14 L/min. Before installation, verify that the shower tray and waste outlet can drain at a rate equal to or greater than this maximum. If the tray's drainage capacity is lower, a flow restrictor must be fitted to prevent flooding. AKW's flow-limited valve variant (25421-3FL) is available separately with a maximum output of 8 L/min for installations where tray drainage is more limited.

Is this valve suitable for a care home or NHS bathroom? Yes, provided installation and commissioning are carried out by a suitably qualified engineer in accordance with the supplied instructions. The valve holds TMV3 approval, the required standard for commercial care environments under HTM 04-01 and associated guidance. Following commissioning, in-service testing at 6–8 weeks, 12–15 weeks, and periodically thereafter is required to maintain TMV3 compliance. All commissioning and test records should be completed using the documentation supplied with the valve.

Can the temperature limit be adjusted after installation? Yes. Both the 38°C standard limit and the 41°C maximum override are set via adjustable limit rings inside the temperature lever assembly, and can be recalibrated by a qualified engineer following the commissioning procedure in the installation manual. For TMV3 compliance, the maximum override must not exceed 41°C.

How should the valve and kit be cleaned? Clean the valve body, levers, rail, and handset with warm soapy water and a soft cloth only. Do not use abrasive cleaners, scourers, or acidic or alkaline products — these will damage the chrome finish and may invalidate the warranty. Inlet filters should be inspected and cleaned as part of the periodic in-service testing schedule.

Warranty

The Arka TMV3 Cool Touch Mixer Shower valve carries a 5-year warranty against manufacturing and material defects, conditional on correct installation by a suitably qualified engineer in line with the supplied instructions. The Care Shower Accessory Kit carries a separate warranty against manufacturing and material defects from the date of installation. Both warranties require product registration within 30 days of installation to activate. Neither warranty covers accidental damage, incorrect installation, inappropriate cleaning, unauthorised modifications, general wear and tear, or surface finishes.

Free delivery to UK Mainland on orders over £100

£4.95 delivery to UK Mainland on orders under £100

Orders placed before 12 noon will usually be delivered next day.

Unfortunately we can't currently deliver to Northern Ireland.

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Please note that we charge a £42 restocking fee for all returns except where the item is damaged or defective.

Our returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

Please call our office with your invoice number for a returns authorisation before returning any item to us.