thisplace.com.au - Hot Water Burns Like Fire

The bathroom is the most common place for hot tap water scalding. A third degree burn can happen in less than a second.

A new law in Queensland now makes it compulsory for all new houses to deliver hot water at a safe temperature in the bathroom. A safe temperature in the home is 50 degrees C and 45 degrees C where the sick, young or elderly are present.

There are a number of valves and devices available to limit hot water temperature. You should talk to your local licensed plumber about which device is most suitable for your home:

End Of Line Shut-Off Valves

advantages

* Relative easy to fit and remove from taps or showers

* Ideal in a rental situation

* Available at plumbing supply stores

* Inexpensive in an existing building

disadvantages

* Must remember to turn cold tap on first

* It might be cheaper to fit one tempering valve to the hot water supply than to buy separate end of line devices for each tap

Tempering Valves

advantages

* Automatically delivers hot water at a safe temperature

* One fitting to each bathroom

* Long lasting - provided water quality is good

disadvantages

* May not be feasible in an existing home, talk to your plumber

* Average price: approx $120 - $300 each installed

* May require periodic servicing to clear filters

Thermostatic Valves

advantages

* A high performance product, which delivers warm water at a precise temperature directly at the tap

* Has a fail safe mechanism built in, longer warranty and fully serviceable

disadvantages

* More expensive - minimum $300 plus installation

* Most manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance

Other important points to remember include never leaving a children unattended where they can turn on a hot water tap, never leaving your child alone in the bathroom, always locking the bathroom door and keeping appliances like kettles and other hot liquids out of reach.

Further information is available from Queensland Health on (07) 3234 1053 and information about the new law is available on (07) 3235 4578.

Source: Queensland Health Brochure "Hot Water Burns Like Fire", printed 1999.

End Of Line Shut-Off Valves
	advantages
	*	Relative easy to fit and remove from taps or showers
	*	Ideal in a rental situation
	*	Available at plumbing supply stores
	*	Inexpensive in an existing building
	disadvantages
	*	Must remember to turn cold tap on first
	*	It might be cheaper to fit one tempering valve to the hot water supply than to buy separate end of line devices for each tap
Tempering Valves
	advantages
	*	Automatically delivers hot water at a safe temperature
	*	One fitting to each bathroom
	*	Long lasting - provided water quality is good
	disadvantages
	*	May not be feasible in an existing home, talk to your plumber
	*	Average price: approx $120 - $300 each installed
	*	May require periodic servicing to clear filters
Thermostatic Valves
	advantages
	*	A high performance product, which delivers warm water at a precise temperature directly at the tap
	*	Has a fail safe mechanism built in, longer warranty and fully serviceable
	disadvantages
	*	More expensive - minimum $300 plus installation
	*	Most manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance