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American Society of Plumbing Engineers

Plumbing Engineering & Design Standard 15:


Hot Water Temperature and Control

1 General

1.1 Purpose: This standard shall regulate the hot water outlet temperature for plumbing
fixtures and appliances. The standard shall also specify the acceptable methods for
controlling the hot water temperature at the fixture or appliance outlet. The
regulation and control of hot water and thermal shock shall reduce the possibility of
scalds and burns with hot water and slips and falls due to a sudden change in water
temperature caused by a pressure disturbance within the domestic water distribution
system.

1.2 Intent: This standard shall provide the minimum requirements to regulate the hot
water temperature and pressure disturbances within the piping system in a plumbing
installation to protect public health, safety, and welfare. The intent of this standard is
to be a mandatory regulation applicable to all new and renovated plumbing
installations. This standard is not intended to apply to existing installations.
However, additional controls to regulate hot water in existing installations, in
accordance with this standard, will result in a safer plumbing installation.

1.3 Severability: If any section, subsection sentence, clause, or phrase of this standard
is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining parts of this standard.

1.4 Hot Water and Pressure Disturbance Hazards: It shall be an established


understanding that hot water of any temperature over a given period of time or a
pressure disturbance causing a sudden unanticipated change in water temperature
can present a hazard. This standard shall regulate the temperature and control of hot
water and pressure disturbances to minimize the hazard to the users of plumbing
fixtures and appliances.

2 Definitions

2.1 The following words or terms used in this standard shall have the meaning as
defined; words or terms not listed shall have their commonly accepted meaning.

2.2 Faucet: A valve end of a water pipe by which the flow of water is controlled.

2.3 Hot Water: Water having a temperature equal to or greater than 43°C (110°F).

2.4 Plumbing Appliance: A special class of plumbing fixture intended to perform a special
function, that operate or are controlled by one or more energized components, such
as motors, controls, or heating elements.

2.5 Private: Plumbing fixtures in residences, apartments, non-public toilet or bathrooms


in hotels and motels, and single-use rooms restricted to employees.

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2.6 Public: Plumbing fixtures in areas other than private where there is free access to the
general population.

2.7 Tempered Water: Water having a temperature greater than or equal to 27°C (80°F)
and less than 43°C (110°F).

2.8 Thermal Shock: The sudden unanticipated change in water temperature, either
hotter or colder, great enough to cause the user to react in a physical way to remove
themselves from the water flow, thus creating the potential for injury due to slips,
falls, or scalding.

2.9 User(s): An individual who can adjust the outlet water temperature at the point of
use while in contact with the outlet water.

3 Referenced Standards

3.1 Standards: Various national consensus standards are referenced in this standard.
The applicable referenced standards shall be the latest edition of the standard. The
standards referenced in this document are as follows:

ASSE 1016-2005 Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves


for Individual Showers and Tub/Shower Combinations

ASSE 1017-2003 Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing


Valves for Hot Water Distribution Systems

ASSE 1062-2006 Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated, Flow


Reduction (TAFR) Valves for Individual Fixture Fittings

ASSE 1066-1997 Performance Requirements for Individual Pressure Balancing


In-Line Valves for Individual Fixture Fittings

ASSE 1069-2005 Performance Requirements for Automatic Temperature Control


Mixing Valves

ASSE 1070-2005 Performance Requirements for Water Temperature Limiting


Devices

ASME A112.18.1-2005/CSA B125.1-05 Plumbing Supply Fittings

CSA B125.3-2005 Plumbing Fittings

4 Temperature Requirements

4.1 Primary Temperature-Control Devices

Primary temperature-control devices shall be in accordance with Table 4.1.

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Table 4.1 Primary Temperature Control Devices
Thermal
Temperature Scald
Major Application Group Shock
Control Standard Protection
Protection
ASSE 1016
Individual shower or tub/shower
ASME A112.18.1/ Yes Yes
combination
CSA B125.1

ASSE 1069 Gang shower (single-pipe shower) Yes Yes

ASSE 1070 Tub only, bidet, hand lavatory Yes No

CSA B125.3 Automatic compensating supply valves Yes Yes

CSA B125.3 Automatic temperature-limiting devices Yes No

4.2 Supplemental Control and Limiting Devices

4.2.1 ASSE 1017 Devices

4.2.1.1 Devices conforming to ASSE 1017 shall be limited in use as follows:


a. system distribution installed at water heating source; and
b. in conjunction with additional devices to provide scalding or
thermal shock protection.

4.2.2 ASSE 1062 Devices

4.2.2.1 Devices conforming to ASSE 1062 shall not be substituted for a


primary device listed in Table 4.1. They shall be limited in use as follows:
a. supplemental end use device in conjunction with a primary
device listed in Table 4.1 above to limit the maximum water
temperature; or
b. device used in retrofit installations to limit the maximum water
temperature to 49°C (120°F).

4.2.2.2 In all installations, check valves shall be installed or be integral in the


hot and cold water supply to the faucet or fixture fitting.

4.2.3 ASSE 1066 Devices

4.2.3.1 Devices conforming to ASSE 1066 shall not be substituted for a


primary device listed in Table 4.1. They shall be limited in use as follows:
a. supplemental pressure balancing in-line device used in
conjunction with a primary device listed in Table 4.1.

4.3 Delivery Temperatures

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Table 4.3 lists the recommended maximum temperature as well as temperature ranges for
each fixture type for the general and healthy population. Special consideration shall be
made for infants, young children, elderly and those with sensitivity to temperatures or rapid
changes to temperatures. Where two or more control standards are listed, only one is
required.

Table 4.3 Delivery Temperatures


Fixture Maximum Recommended Applicable Notes
Temperature Temperature Control
Range Standard
Lavatories
Private 49°C 38°C–49°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
lavatory (120°F) (100F–120°F) CSA B125.3 used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Public lavatory 49°C 38°C–40.5°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
(120°F) (100F–105°F) CSA B125.3 used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Accessible 49°C 38°C–40.5°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
lavatory (120°F) (100F–105°F) CSA B125.3 used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Sinks
Residential 49°C 43°C–49°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
kitchen sink (120°F) (110F–120°F) CSA B125.3 used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Commercial 60°C 43°C–49°C ASSE 1070 At higher temperature
kitchen (140°F) (110F–120°F) CSA B125.3 (+49°C [120°F]) risk
of scalding is elevated.
ASSE 1017 can be
used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Laundry 49°C 43°C–49°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
sink/tub (120°F) (110F–120°F) CSA B125.3 used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Service 60°C 43°C–49°C ASSE 1070 At higher temperature
sink/tub (140°F) (110F–120°F) CSA B125.3 (+49°C [+120°F]) risk
of scalding is elevated.
ASSE 1017 can be
used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Showers
Residential 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016,
shower, (120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME
tub/shower A112.18.1/
combination CSA B125.1
Hotel/motel 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016,
shower (120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME
A112.18.1/
CSA B125.1
Public shower 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016,
(120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME

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A112.18.1/
CSA B125.1
Accessible 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016, Refer to ICC/ANSI
shower (120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME A117.1.
A112.18.1/
CSA B125.1
Institutional 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016,
shower (120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME
(individual A112.18.1/
control) CSA B125.1
Gang shower 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1069
(single pipe) (120°F) (100F–110°F)

Tub only
Residential 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1070
bathtub (120°F) (100F–110°F)
Whirlpool tub 49°C 38°C–40°C ASSE 1070 Temperature range is
(120°F) (100F–104°F) based on Consumer
Product Safety
Commission and
National Spa and Pool
Institute.
Accessible tub 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1070 Refer to ICC/ANSI
(120°F) (100F–110°F) A117.1.
Therapeutic tub 49°C See note. ASSE 1070 Consult medical
(120°F) professional.
Bidet 43°C 38°C–40.5°C ASSE 1070
(110°F) (95F–105°F) CSA B125.3
Appliances See note. 60°C N/A As per manufacturer’s
(140°F) instructions.
Medical and Healthcare Facilities Fixtures
Surgeon’s 49°C 40.5°C–43°C ASSE 1070 For ASSE 1069, single
scrub sink (120°F) (105F–110°F) ASSE 1069 pipe and temperature
applications only.
Patient 49°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1016,
showers (120°F) (100F–110°F) ASME
A112.18.1/
CSA B125.1
Patients room 49°C 43°C–46°C ASSE 1070 ASSE 1017 can be
sinks (120°F) (110F–115°F) used in junction with
an ASSE 1070 device.
Infant baths 43°C 33°C–38°C ASSE 1069, For ASSE 1069, single
(110°F) (92F–100°F) ASSE 1070 pipe and temperature
applications only.
Patient tubs 43°C 38°C–43°C ASSE 1069, For ASSE 1069, single
(110°F) (100F–110°F) ASSE 1070 pipe and temperature
applications only.
Perineal (sitz) 43°C 35°C–40.5°C ASSE 1069 For ASSE 1069, single
bath (110°F) (95F–105°F) pipe and temperature
applications only.

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Hydrotherapy 49°C 38°C–40°C ASSE 1069, For ASSE 1069, single
(arm & leg) (120°F) (92F–104°F) ASSE 1070 pipe and temperature
applications only.
Immersion 49°C 38°C–40°C ASSE 1069, For ASSE 1069, single
whirlpool baths (120°F) (100F–104°F) ASSE 1070 pipe and temperature
applications only.

5 Installation and Maximum Temperature Verification Test

5.1 The devices shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s
installation instructions and referenced standards.

5.2 Plumbing fixtures noted in this standard are to be used for their intended purpose.

5.3 Discharge temperatures shall be verified to be less than the maximum limits defined
in this standard.

5.4 Test Method

The maximum outlet discharge temperature for fixtures utilizing hot water shall be verified
quarterly by the Owner or responsible person to ensure the safety of the user. The results
of the test shall be recorded with the date, time, temperatures, and the name of the person
conducting the test. Such records shall be maintained to validate the proper operation of
the temperature-control device.

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Appendix A: Hot Water Time/Temperature Relationship in Scald Burns

A.1. Hot Water Time/Temperature Chart for Scalding

There have been numerous charts and studies done on the time/temperature exposure of
hot water and the resulting burn injuries. The testing has been done primarily on animals
and the results have been correlated to potential for burns in adult humans. There have
also been papers published that suggest the thickness of the epidermis in children and the
elderly could cause burns to occur at lower temperatures than that for the average adult.
The following is a representative example of the time/temperature chart showing the time
required to produce serious scald burns at various temperatures.

Table A.1 Exposure time at given temperatures


that causes deep second-degree burn injuries in
adults
Temperature, °C (°F) Exposure Time
44 (111) 6 hours
49 (120) 9 minutes
51 (124) 2–6 minutes
52 (125) 2 minutes
55 (131) 20–30 seconds
60 (140) 5–6 seconds
66 (151) 2 seconds
70 (158) 1 second
71 (160) Instantaneously

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Appendix B References and Resources

Domestic Water Heating Design Manual II, American Society of Plumbing Engineers

Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, American Society of Plumbing Engineers

Appendix A, Table 1: Source: http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/156/6/841.pdf, Canadian


Medical Association Journal, 15 March 1997; 156 (6)

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