CAUTION! HOT WATER!
Quebec’s Construction Code provides that the water heater temperature is to be set at 60°C (140°F). Keeping the water in your water heater at 60°C considerably reduces the risk of legionellosis-causing bacteria. As with other bacteria, stagnant water under 50°C is a perfect medium for them to grow in.
The Construction Code also provides that the temperature of water coming out of the shower and bath faucets be no higher than 49°C.
AVOID THE RISK OF SCALDING BY HOT WATER
There are a number of ways you can protect your family against the risk of scalding by tap water.
Temperature regulators can be installed on every water tap. Alternatively, you can lower the temperature of your tap water by having a mixing valve installed right at the water heater outlet. The device automatically adjusts the mix of cold and hot water to bring the water outlet temperature to 49°C. That way, regardless of the hot water source, the risk of scalding is greatly reduced. It should be noted that for people with lower tolerance to hot water, the water temperature can be set at 43°C.
To have a mixing valve installed or for any other plumbing project, contact a master pipe mechanic who is a member of CMMTQ. You will find the list of all master pipe mechanics in Quebec (CMMTQ) from Outaouais region here.
TIPS TO AVOID HOT WATER SCALDING
- teach children to open the cold water tap first and to close the hot water tap first;
- never let a child fill the bathtub or adjust the shower temperature; and
- check the water temperature with your elbow before putting a child in the tub because a child’s skin is thinner, and burns four times faster than that of an adult!
