Scald Prevention

Who’s Responsible for Preventing Scald Injuries? Part 2

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Scald burns are 100% preventable — but only when hot water systems are properly maintained, monitored, and designed to code. This month, Ron George, CPD, explores how preventative maintenance and plumbing codes work hand-in-hand to keep building occupants safe.

Who’s Responsible for Preventing Scald Injuries? Part 1

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In his column, seasoned plumbing design code expert Ron George delves into the critical issue of scald injuries caused by hot water systems.

Controlling Water Heater Temperatures

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

The plumbing and heating industry has several standards covering water temperature in water distribution systems and plumbing fixtures to prevent scalding and Legionella bacterial growth. Read on for an explanation of three new standards focusing on water heaters.

How to Size a Boiler Blowdown System and Drains, Part 1

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

After a renovation project, a physical plant stationary engineer fell into the overflow of scalding hot boiler effluent; he eventually died of his injuries.

Scalding Still A Risk With Commercial Water Systems

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Little did the author of Catch-22 know, when the novel was published in 1961, that the title would live on as a motto to mutually conflicting conditions.

Thermostatically Balanced DHWR Systems: Benefits and Design Considerations

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Domestic hot water recirculation (DHWR) systems are designed to conveniently provide a hot water supply at every fixture in all units of a building.

The Case for the Master Mixing Valve

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Hot water has been around since man first harnessed the power of fire, but when at elevated temperatures, it is dangerous and even deadly.

The Continuing Scald Problem in Plumbing Systems, Part 2

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

A safe domestic hot water system relies upon a good design, including piping layout and selection and placement of equipment.

The Continuing Scald Problem in Plumbing Systems

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Almost everyone knows that the maximum hot water temperature flowing from a bathtub/shower fixture fitting should be no greater than 120 F; they just don’t understand how it should be accomplished.

Registration Open for Virtual PHCPPros CEU Course on Domestic Hot Water Systems

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:41:00 -0400

Attendees will be able to earn 2.0 LU | HSWs through the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 0.2 CEUs through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) the International Code Council (ICC).

As Infection Control Increases Building Water Temperature, Scalding Prevention Takes Center Stage

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Plumbing engineers will need to shift from central temperature control applications to point-of-use control.

IPC Code Changes, Part 6

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

A continued summary of significant revisions of the International Plumbing Code: head shampoo sink faucets, pre-rinse spray valves, group wash fixtures, food waste disposers, prefab showers, dual-flush water closets.

Designing Safe Spaces for Behavioral Health Patients

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

In behavioral health facilities, healthcare providers care for patients who may be at risk for self-harm — up to and including suicide.

On the Road to Practically Perfect Plumbing

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

In our last article, we dealt with what hot water users really want, and could expect, from their hot water system – if it was designed properly. Namely, we argue, fast arrival of domestic hot water – short time to tap values.

IPC Code Changes, Part 5

Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

A continued summary of significant revisions of the International Plumbing Code: water heaters as temperature-limiting devices.

ASSE International Publishes Sixth Scald Awareness White Paper

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 14:29:00 -0400

The new paper focuses on the recommended installation practices that plumbers, installers, and/or plumbing contractors should follow to reduce the dangers of scald injuries or thermal shock when installing any type of residential tankless water heater.

Where did all the pressure go?

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

In this article, we will start a conversation about distributing that hot water to users in the building.

Digital Exclusive: IAPMO Uniform Codes and Standards Update

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 17:58:00 -0400

IAPMO published the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) in March. The codes were improved with safety provisions for the protection from legionellosis, safe installation of alkaline water treatment devices, and protecting homes with the inclusion of requirements for leak detection, just to list a few.

ASSE International Publishes Three Revised Product Performance Standards

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 17:32:00 -0500

ASSE 1014-2020, Performance Requirements for Backflow Prevention Devices for Hand-held Showers; ASSE 1020-2020, Performance Requirements for Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assemblies; and ASSE 1069-2020, Performance Requirements for Automatic Temperature Control Mixing Valves, have been designated as American National Standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and are now available for purchase.

Netzero multifamily hot water production and distribution

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

I’m a solar engineer – not a mechanical one. That’s one reason that I found out the hard way that designing domestic hot water (DHW) production and distribution systems for multifamily buildings is a lot harder than designing a single-family residential system.

Dr. Richard E. Thorsten, Robert Puente to Deliver Keynote Addresses at EWTS

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 11:31:00 -0500

Thorsten is the chief impact officer for Water.org, and Puente is the president/CEO of the public utility San Antonio Water System.

Shower Limit-Stops

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Every year, in the United States, thousands of people suffer serious scald injuries in showers or tub-showers after the hot water system temperature has been adjusted. These injuries can be prevented with the proper controls and adjustments of the maximum temperature limit-stop on each shower valve.

ASSE International Calls for Scald Awareness Task Group Members

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 09:36:00 -0400

The group is now accepting applications as it reforms to develop a new white paper concerning recommended installation practices for residential tankless/on-demand water heaters to reduce the danger of scalds.

Do We Truly Need Hot Water?

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Eliminating tempered water for public handwashing facilities can result in a Legionella outbreak.

ASSE International Publishes Fifth Scald Awareness White Paper

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 14:47:00 -0400

The new paper discusses the most common causes of hot water scalds from an improperly installed storage type water heater and how scald injuries can be reduced through proper installation.

ASSE International Publishes Standards for Water Heaters With Integral Water Temperature Safety Controls

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 10:46:00 -0500

The new standards cover water heaters, under varying flow conditions, with precise output temperature controls to provide controlled water temperatures to end users or through distribution systems.

Speakman Company unveils thermostatic mixing valves for emergency plumbing

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Speakman Company recently unveiled its Safe-T-Zone line that puts emergency plumbing concerns at ease. Learn more about the line in the following interview exclusive to plumbing Engineer magazine.

Hot Water Distribution Through Recirculation

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400

To achieve comfort and efficiency in a hot water distribution system, many plumbing engineers are incorporating hot water recirculation systems into their designs. But to reap the benefits of such a system, balancing valves must be incorporated into design considerations.

Update on Uniform Plumbing Codes, ASME Standards

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400

IAPMO discussions for the 2021 UPC centered around dead legs, Legionella, water heater temperature control and water conservation.

Plumbing, Hydronics Systems and Legionella

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

There has to be a different approach to combating Legionella development when designing plumbing and hydronics systems.