Hot water temperature and scald safety: tempering valves explained
Why hot water is stored at 60°C but delivered at 50°C, how quickly hot water scalds, what a tempering valve does and when one is required.
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Key takeaways
- Hot water is stored at 60°C to stop Legionella growing, then delivered to showers, baths, basins and bidets at no more than 50°C.
- The Australian Building Codes Board cites research that scalding risk rises from 5 minutes of exposure at 50°C to 5 seconds at 60°C.
- New heated water services need a temperature control device. For replacements, NSW guidance and the NSW variation to the building code word the rule differently, so a licensed plumber checks what applies to your installation.
- Tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves are licensed work, and are expressly excluded from the owner exemption.
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