-
What is the "SAFE" minimum temperature
a water heater should be set?
Page
1 | Page 2
Myths
Chlorines can destroy Legionella bacteria. False.
Chlorine dissipates in water; becomes aggressive towards piping;
cannot penetrate the bio film where Legionella bacteria hides;
requires large quantities 10,000 times that used today, which
is impossible. It can also form other chemicals that are known
carcinogens. This is also known as hyper-chlorination.
High temperature water circulated through all piping and point
of use fixtures. False.
Often buildings have tries to shock the system by raising the
water temperature to 180ºF for 15-minutes or more. Quite simply,
this taxes the equipment beyond its normal operating range, creates
increased opportunity for an accident(s) to occur, and finally,
Legionella bacteria hides deep in that bio film, usually returning
within one week. Legionella bacteria can survive in dead end piping
or abandoned fixtures connected to the distribution system.
Water heaters are magnificent appliances that deserve some respect,
they can last a long time and operate safely when properly installed
and maintained. The safety issues with water heaters is no joke,
without a properly sized, piped and operating pressure and temperature
safety valve, your water heater could explode causing a great
deal of damage. The storage water temperature if not properly
maintained could cause you serious health problems allowing Legionella
bacteria to grow. Finally, the temperature of the water from the
water heater or distribution system could seriously scald someone
whom you care about. The good news is all of these safety concerns
have a readily available permanent solution as we have explained.
Since the Codes are slow to change and the minimum requirements
anyway, why wait. We know what we need now and safety should be
our concern. Our recommendation follows the lead on these issues
from Watts, is as easy as 1,2, 3
-
Install a point of source an ASSE 1017 listed device c/w a distribution thermometer. This will allow the water heater temperature be maintained at a safe 135ºF or higher. This will ensure that should a water heater thermostat fail (run wild) the distribution line would only see the constant temperature that the valve was initially set (+/- the valves range).
-
When the piping system is over 100 ft., install a brass circulating pump with returns from the point of uses to maintain the distribution system at a safe 135ºF or higher.
-
Finally, to install at each point of use, ASSE 1016 listed devices that can be set to a safe temperature of your choosing.
Call Custom Vac today
to get started on making your domestic hot water safer.
 |
Watts Regulator | |
 |
Honeywell | |
