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Anti scalding warning label on an A.O. Smith gas fired power vented water heaterHot Water Temperature Law FAQs
Q&A on Anti-Scald Regulations

Hot water temperature code, law & regulation questions & answers:

Frequently-asked questions & answers about the legal limits for hot water temperature delivered at sinks, tubs, showers and other plumbing fixtures.

This article series gives the allowable limits set on hot water temperatures for hot water used in buildings and compares regulations in various countries. For the U.S. we also include code citations and temperature limits by individual U.S. state.

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Hot Water Anti-Scald Limits: Laws & Regulations

These questions & answers about standards & codes regulating hot water temperatures in buildings were posted originally at HOT WATER ANTI-SCALD REGULATIONS - you will want to go there to find the anti-scald laws for your home city or code jurisdiction.

On 2019-06-21 by (mod) - law regulating hot water in bath in Virginia

Gail your question is answered inHOT WATER ANTI-SCALD REGULATIONS - at the start of the article where we give two-letter state codes for the United States just click on the letters for your state - that'll be VA .

On 2019-06-21 by Gail

Is there a law in Va.that regulates hot water in bath and what is it?

On 2019-04-14 by (mod) -

Linda

Make an excellent point. And for that reason mixing valves or tempering valves have been invented and are widely installed. That allows you to have sufficiently hot water in the water heater to avoid several problems and at the same time avoid scalding someone at the tap. The 120 degree requirement to which you refer is at the tap not in the water heater.

On 2019-04-13 by linda

In some areas like Connecticut the max hot water is 120 degrees. Yet to kill most bugs like lice, bed bugs, mites, etc and many bacteria, the water must be at least 130 degrees to 140 degrees. Shouldn't we at least be able to kill the bugs?

On 2018-11-19 21:32:04.475943 by cara

thank you !

On 2018-11-07 20:46:48.332509 by (mod) -

Cara

96-102 degF Typical comfortable temperature for washing and bathing [15]

On 2018-11-07 16:34:28.508901 by Cara Farnan

What should the water temperature be in a classroom with students with multiple disabilities and could not recognize and respond to hot water while washing hands ?

On 2018-09-07 21:50:41.066278 by (mod) -

Markus, the anti scald rules for ohio are in the article above at

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Temperature_Laws.php#OH

On 2018-09-07 21:28:17.333634 by Markus

Quick question regarding any hotel regulations. My son was recently scalded and received a first degree burn on his genitals from hot water in a hotel shower. I tested the water @ 154 degrees F. The hotel is located in Idaho and I am having a hard time finding any regulations governing hot water in this type of facility. I've come across some that say 120 degrees F is max, then other say it has to be 140 degrees F to prevent Legionnaires Disease. Any information on where I can actually find a regulation/law/OSHA would be great. Thank you!

On 2018-05-19 01:47:02.540559 by (mod) -

Antony

Probably the answer is yes, there are scalding temperature control laws in most jurisdictions. I'd need to know the country and city involved to help you look for the specific codes or authorities involved. Or you may find your country or city in the article above on this page.

On 2018-05-18 17:38:30.822076 by Antony

at a place of work we are unable to use the hot water taps to wash hands as they are scalding hot, I know at a cylinder your require 60 and 50 degrees at the outlet within 1 minuet, the question is under health and safety or building regulations is there a requirement TMVs to be installed

On 2018-03-24 18:12:16.464683 by (mod) -

Minimum hot water temperatures in Texas Rental Properties & Assisted Living Facilities

Alan:

Bottom line: the temperature of hot water supplied at the plumbing fixture should be no greater than 117F.
I did not find TX law setting a minimum hot water temperature for HCS or assisted living facilities. I did find poorly-worded TX law discussing 120F for rental properties. Details along with my advice are below.

Housing regulations in Houston and other Texas cities may vary between rental properties and assisted living facilities.
The first hot water concern for assisted living and other properties is scalding-burn protection. As you'll find in the table above on this page, Texas has adopted

SBCCI or International Plumbing Code (1996), setting a hot water temperature Maximum 120°F at the point of use.

Landlords in Texas are generally required to provide heat and "adequate hot water" but although I read some "Apartment Rights" and "Legal Advice" websites' opinions giving 120°F a "minimum water temp, or one site that quoted both 120F and 110F.

If hot water is provided at the plumbing fixture at a temperature above 120F that installation is unsafe as it risks scalding burns for the building occupants.

RENTAL PROPERTY HOT WATER TEMP
Looking at TX tenant rights and rental laws, however, I found this Texas code:
Texas Property Code - PROP § 92.052. Landlord's Duty to Repair or Remedy
(a) A landlord shall make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition if:
(1) the tenant specifies the condition in a notice to the person to whom or to the place where rent is normally paid;
(2) the tenant is not delinquent in the payment of rent at the time notice is given;  and
(3) the condition:
(A) materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant;  or
(B) arises from the landlord's failure to provide and maintain in good operating condition a device to supply hot water of a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. -WATCH OUT: ABOVE 120F is unsafe - Ed.
(b) Unless the condition was caused by normal wear and tear, the landlord does not have a duty during the lease term or a renewal or extension to repair or remedy a condition caused by:
(1) the tenant;
(2) a lawful occupant in the tenant's dwelling;
(3) a member of the tenant's family;  or
(4) a guest or invitee of the tenant.
(c) This subchapter does not require the landlord:
(1) to furnish utilities from a utility company if as a practical matter the utility lines of the company are not reasonably available;  or
(2) to furnish security guards.
(d) The tenant's notice under Subsection (a) must be in writing only if the tenant's lease is in writing and requires written notice. - Guadalupe County Texas Code Source: retrieved 2018/03/24, original source: www.co.guadalupe.tx.us/jp1/pdfs/Repair_Remedy.pdf

HOT WATER TEMPERATURE in ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES in TEXAS

Note: Hot water regulations and inspection or testing of hot water temperature procedures for assisted living facilities will differ. Quoting from a Tx attorney
Hot Water Temperatures
In accordance with 40 TAC, §9.173(b) (26), an HCS program provider must protect and promote the right of an individual “to live free from abuse neglect, or exploitation in a healthful, comfortable and safe environment.
…
To ensure consistent determination of water temperature, DADS residential reviewers, as of October 1, 2014, began using laser thermometers to ensure that the hot water temperature does not exceed 117 degrees. This water temperature is within the safety range recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” - www.garloward.com/2015/01/27/hot-water-temperatures/


What should you do:

Check with the facilities management at your Dad's facility. Hot water temperature in a larger facility is very often regulated by anti-scald devices installed right at the fixture such as at a shower water control. If that's the case your dad's shower temperature may be adjustable and can be set up as long as you keep it at or below 117F.

On 2018-03-24 16:48:13.215217 by Alan Stigall

My Dad recently moved in an assisted living facility in Houston
He is complaining about the water temp being just Luke warm for showers
Is there a regulation that states what the facility has to set the temp at

On 2018-02-23 15:01:18.592072 by (mod) -

Paul,

I have added Arizona prison system hot water temperature standards and links to the original source documents in the article above.

Hot water delivery temperatures for the state of Arizona prison system are specified by
DEPARTMENT ORDER 401-PRISON CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER: 401T-PPS ADC Administrative Services, Physical Plant Standards
Rev. 02/23/12
and also provided at our website at

inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Arizona-Prisons-Physical-Plant-Facility-Standards.pdf

from which I quote from p. 13 in that document

1.5.2.1.2.4 Hot water shall be provided at 105 degrees (adjustable from 100 degrees to 120 degrees) for sinks, lavatories and showers.

On 2018-02-22 20:35:51.825461 by Paul Bauer

Does anyone know if there are rules for water temperatures in AZ prisons, such as too hot shower temps, warm drinking water. Kingman/Hauchuca facility has absolutely NO cold water, not even to flush toilets and inmates with skin problems cannot tolerate the very hot shower temperatures.

On 2018-02-22 by (mod) - rules for water temperatures in AZ prisons

Paul,
From the article above we cite a national standard:

Arizona: DEPARTMENT ORDER 401-PRISON CONSTRUCTION CHAPTER: 401T-PPS ADC Administrative Services, Physical Plant Standards Rev. 02/23/12 [PDF], 105°F adjustable from 100°F to 120°F for sinks, lavatories and showers. retrieved 2018/02/22, original source: https://corrections.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/PDFs/02232012_pps_manual.pdf

from which I quote from p. 13 in that document

1.5.2.1.2.4 Hot water shall be provided at 105 degrees (adjustable from 100 degrees to 120 degrees) for sinks, lavatories and showers.

Other hot water scalding information:

ACA (American Correctional Association), 100 to 120°F max automatically controlled for prison showers, “Adult Correctional Institutions, 3rd Ed, 1990.”

Maricopa AZ has this guideline

Arizona: Maricopa County, Hot Water Supply Code [PDF] that mentions the word "prison" in one general paragraph

There on p. 22 you'll see

Scald Hazards

Temperatures at a plumbing point-of-use over 120°F are considered a safety hazard.

... To prevent the potential serious risk of being scalded by hot water, provide appropriate scald prevention devices (e.g. temperature actuated mixing valves, automatic compensating mixing valve, temperature liming device) to lower the risk of scalding at points of hot water delivery.

On 2018-02-22 y Paul Bauer

Does anyone know if there are rules for water temperatures in AZ prisons, such as too hot shower temps, warm drinking water. Kingman/Hauchuca facility has absolutely NO cold water, not even to flush toilets and inmates with skin problems cannot tolerate the very hot shower temperatures.

On 2017-11-02 by (mod) - reason you are not finding a maximum water heater temperature code for the state of Missouri

Michael,

The reason you are not finding a maximum water heater temperature code for the state of Missouri is explained by the state itself:

Missouri has not adopted statewide energy codes or statewide building codes. However numerous municipalities and counties throughout Missouri have independently adopted the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). - Source:
Missouri Building Permit, Building Code, Energy Code & Licensing Information

Office of Administration, Website: http://oa.mo.gov/bc/publicbldg.htm, P.O. Box 809, Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: (573) 751-1851 Fax: (573) 751-1212 Email: comofc@oa.mo.gov

On 2017-11-02 by michaelisover70@outlook.com

I have been searching all over for reg. of state of Mo,.allmost all sites show different states. I need to know Missouris low and high llevels

On 2017-04-22 by (mod) - Water at 160F at plumbing fixtures is unsafe and will scald users. Denver CO citation:

Water at 160F at plumbing fixtures is unsafe and will scald users. I don't care one iota about grandfathering when someone can be badly burned or worse by scalding hot water. Neither should your building department. In my OPINION this isn't a matter of grandfathering, it's basic safety.

For Denver CO

Neighborhood and Building Inspection Services, Phone:Dial 311 for inspections
From outside Denver: 720-913-1311 Administration: 720-865-2505

Email: Neighborhood.inspectionservice@denvergov.org

Building.inspectionservice@denvergov.org

Please schedule an appointment for zoning/neighborhood inspections.

Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building, Development Services, 201 W. Colfax Ave, Dept 203, Denver, CO 80202

On 2017-04-22 by Erik J.

I just moved into an apartment in Colorado and the electric water heater is set to 160 F. All outlets are at 160 F. The problem is (by the manager) the water temp has to be set that high because the apartment heater is a water-heat-exchanger that uses my hot water to heat the apartment.

The apartments are very nice, newer circa 1990's. Colorado law states a temp of 120 F at all all outlets utilizing temp regulators. My question are: Are some building grandfathered? Who would I contact in Denver or Colorado to find out more?

On 2016-04-13 by (mod) - The New York anti-scald and hot water regulations

M.F.

The New York anti-scald and hot water regulations are cited in the table at HOT WATER ANTI-SCALD REGULATIONS. Do let me know if any of that is unclear.

RE-posting reader question rec'd by email:

I would be very grateful is someone could answer the following questions:

1. Does anyone know what the legal limit is for the hot water temperature in a NYC apartment?

2. Also, where is this regulation or requirement stated? - M.F. 2016/04/13

On 2016-03-08 by (mod) - 65 °C is too hot for point of use hot water supply and is scalding

Teresa: 65 °C is TOO HOT for hot water supply at the point of use, that'd be almost 150°F and is considerably above scalding temperature ( 48 °C or 120°F is the usual maximum at point of use)

If your water heater is set to such a hot temperature but water is still too cool at the tap then further investigation is needed: the problem is not the setting at the water heater. Perhaps there is an anti-scald device that's not properly adjusted or a long, uninsulated hot water pipe run.

On 2016-03-08 by Teresa Kew

I have just had a new boiler fitted in my flat and the water in my basin tap is no longer hot enough for me to wash my face in lovely hot water. My plumber says that 65 degrees f is the maximum he is allowed to set the temperature. Is this true? If so, I wish I still had my old boiler. I live in the UK.

On 2016-02-16 by (mod) - do people know if hot water regulations apply to replacements or relocations of heaters?

Jon

I would apply these regulations and guidelines (at HOT WATER ANTI-SCALD REGULATIONS) to any water heater as they address scalding and bacterial hazards that are quite serious.

On 2016-02-15 by Jonathon

Just wondering if people knew whether these regulations applied to replacements and/or relocations of water heaters.

On 2016-01-14 0 by Dave Meyer

Stayed in bed and breakfast in Hadelsburg California. I was burned in a shower when we could not get the hot water to turn off. Is there a law that states what the water temp. Can be in bed and breakfast? New place.

On 2015-12-03 by (mod) - Is there a law in Oregon on how hot an apartment water heater can be set?

Amy

Please see the individual state Links in the article HOT WATER ANTI-SCALD REGULATIONS near the top and click on the two letter code for Oregon - OR to see the current regulation

On 2015-12-03 by Amy Hendershott

Is there a law in Oregon on how hot an apartment water heater can be set?

On 2015-12-01 by chuck croal

trying to find out if Oregon has a legal limit on maximum hot tub temperature.

On 2015-02-10 by (mod) - Are commercial & residential hot water requirements the same?

There are some different scald protection requirements for some non-ordinary buildings - I hesitate to say non-residential because an example is prison showers - which are certainly a kind of residence.

On 2015-02-09 by l

Are commercial & residential requirements the same?

Question: scald protection requirements for New York City rental properties

11 March 2014 H.M. asked:

Do you know if you have to have Scald Protection in the shower hardware and rough-ins for a rental property in NYC?

Reply:

Citing New York City's

Multiple Dwelling Law § 75; Multiple Residence Law§ 170; NYC Admin. Code § 27-2031

Hot Water Landlords must provide all tenants of multiple dwellings with both hot and cold water.

Hot water must register at or above a constant temperature of 120 degrees at the tap. If a tub or shower is equipped with an anti-scald valve that prevents the hot water temperature from exceeding 120 degrees, the minimum hot water temperature for that tub or shower is 110 degrees.


...

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